The Real Story Behind Paris Hilton's Fake Voice

"That's Hot" is the catchphrase that Paris Hilton is known for. Coined in the early 2000s while she was starring in "The Simple Life" with her bestie Nicole Richie, those two words seemingly solidified Hilton as a blonde bimbo. But as she matured, the hotel heiress defied stereotypes by building a successful empire. "I built a global business and brand over the last two decades," the reality star told the Wall Street Journal in October 2021, speaking on her decision to launch 11:11 Media. "I wanted to take it to the next level and bring all my companies under one media entity." 11:11 Media consolidates Hilton's many business ventures, including a cooking show, various reality shows, DJ appearances, books, fragrances, product lines, and more.

Additionally, Hilton revealed a new side of herself when she spoke out in October 2022 about the abuse she endured at Utah's Provo Canyon School. Heavy partying in her teens led her parents to send her to the facility, where she and her classmates experienced physical, mental, and sexual abuse. "I buried my truth for so long," Hilton told People of the horrific experience. "But I'm proud of the strong woman I've become. People might assume everything in my life came easy ... but I want to show the world who I truly am." So which is the real Hilton: the party girl, the traumatized victim, or the business-savvy mogul? Or is she a mix of all three? Well, even Hilton's real voice isn't what you think.

A pop culture icon and poster child of the aughts, Paris Hilton headlined tabloid gossip for years — but it turns out her public persona was heavily manufactured. In her documentary, "This is Paris," the businesswoman spoke about how she'd curated her image as a "dumb blonde" for "The Simple Life" (via Buzzfeed). "I just created this brand and this persona and this character, and I've been stuck with her ever since," Paris says in the trailer for "This is Paris." Separately, she laments the fact "nobody really knows me," and tells a cameraman, "Sorry, I'm so used to playing a character that it's hard for me to, like, be normal." When Paris is in public, she's in character, speaking with a high-pitched, baby voice. However, in her private moments — for example, when she's discussing a secret trauma with her sister Nicky Hilton — Paris' voice is deeper and more mature.

In an interview with Sunrise, Paris copped to her "dumb blonde" act, adding that she wanted the world to remember her for being so much more than just a pretty face. Explaining that the "real me is actually someone who is brilliant," Paris said, "I don't want to be remembered as some airhead. I want to be respected for the businesswoman I am." Creating a persona that's synonymous with the rich, dumb socialite may have been the first step in building Paris' empire, but now that she's a mogul with a brand of her own, that image no longer serves her.

"This Is Paris" intended to pull back the curtain on misconceptions surrounding Paris Hilton — including her Valley Girl voice — and people were shocked to learn the truth. "Paris Hilton has revealed what her voice actually sounds like ... I am shook," a fan wrote on Twitter. "2020 is really too much for me. THE BETRAYAL," someone else joked. Others were happy to see the "Simple Life" alum embrace her authentic self. "Hearing Paris Hilton's real voice is kinda therapeutic for this year's events," they tweeted.

Despite telling Sunrise that 2020 felt like the right time to come clean about her whole act, Hilton alluded to her fake voice back in 2016, speaking on the Today Show. "This is actually my real voice," she said (via Newsweek). "My other voice — you know, that 'Simple Life' kind of baby voice that I used to use — I actually have a low voice in real life." Others, including previous boyfriends, have known about Hilton's fake act long before the public. "Paris is a businessperson above all else, and one of the smartest people I know," her ex-boyfriend Doug Reinhardt said (via Page Six). "She is unbelievably smart. That baby voice she has is just part of her business. Paris Hilton and her baby voice is like Bruce Wayne and Batman." All things considered, it seems like putting on an act worked out well for the hotel heiress.