While Paris Hilton is often regarded as Hollywood royalty, she has revealed that one of her greatest inspirations is an actual royal. In an interview with W magazine on October 9, she shared her admiration for two influential figures while chatting with her close friend Nicole Richie about their upcoming return to television.
When asked about her female role models, Hilton expressed her deep respect for Princess Diana, stating, “Princess Diana had such a huge heart and was always using her platform to help children and help the world be a better place.”
During an interview with W magazine, Hilton shared how both Diana and Monroe shaped her view on fame
Marilyn Monroe also made her list, as Hilton referred to the iconic actress as her “ultimate icon.” She elaborated, “The camera loved her, she loved it, she knew how to work it. She was playing a character as well, which I can relate to.”
The pop star, who will be reuniting with Richie in Paris & Nicole: The Encore, emphasized that Monroe “wasn’t a dumb blonde; she was just very good at pretending to be one. Just like me.”
Hilton has previously expressed her admiration for Princess Diana, recalling how the late princess’s legacy impacted her life. In a 2017 interview with Marie Claire, she revealed that her 2004 sex tape with then-boyfriend Rick Salomon was particularly “hurtful” due to her respect for the royal.
Reflecting on this experience, Hilton shared, “My whole life, I really looked up to Princess Diana, all these elegant, amazing women, and I feel like [Salomon] just took that all away from me,” adding that she “could have been like that” if not for the tape.
In a 2023 interview on the Magic Breakfast Radio Show, she mentioned feeling a connection to Prince Harry as well. “He has been through so much and I can’t imagine just losing my mom – Princess Diana has always been one of my idols,” she stated, noting how heartbreaking it is to witness his family’s struggles with media scrutiny.
