Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The hotel heiress and author of Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir continues to raise awareness about systemic abuse.
Paris Hilton Turns Her Trauma into Advocacy in New Documentary
Paris Hilton is transforming her past struggles into a mission to protect children.
The hotel heiress and entrepreneur is the focus of a new documentary, Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir, which follows her journey as she prepares for her first full-length concert at the Hollywood Palladium following the 2024 release of her album, Infinite Icon. The film also explores how Hilton turned to music during some of the most challenging moments of her life.
In 2020, Hilton publicly shared allegations of abuse she said she endured as a teenager at Utah’s Provo Canyon School (PCS). The reality star has continued speaking out to hold abusers accountable and advocate for vulnerable children.
“This has truly been the most meaningful work of my life,” Hilton, 44, told Fox News Digital. “I’m so proud that I’ve been able to turn my pain into a purpose that has impacted millions of children.”
She added, “I’ll continue this fight, meeting with senators and legislators both in the U.S. and Europe. This is a mission I’ll pursue until every child is protected.”
Hilton has repeatedly testified about the abuse she says she experienced at PCS, where she spent 11 months at age 17 before leaving at 18 in 1999. She has alleged that staff subjected her to mental and physical abuse, forced medication, nonconsensual medical procedures, solitary confinement, and invasive monitoring. Hilton has said the trauma led to long-lasting nightmares and insomnia, and that her ADHD diagnosis contributed to her placement at the school.
These experiences were previously detailed in the 2020 documentary This is Paris. Through her nonprofit, 11:11 Media Impact, Hilton has helped advance the federal Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act and supported the passage of 15 state laws protecting youth in residential treatment programs.
In 2024, Hilton traveled to Jamaica to assist seven American boys removed from a “troubled teen” program accused of mistreatment, according to People.
“There’s still so much work to be done,” Hilton said. “I want to continue using my voice to let children know it’s safe to tell their stories. I know how difficult it can be at first, but speaking out can also be healing. That’s another message I hope to share through this documentary.”
PCS has previously stated that it cannot comment on operations prior to its 2000 change in ownership, and that the school does not condone abuse, immediately reporting any suspected incidents to authorities. The facility describes itself as a psychiatric residential treatment center for youth aged 8 to 18, serving children with complex emotional, behavioral, and psychiatric needs.
In interviews with Fox News Digital, six former students and one ex-staffer corroborated Hilton’s claims.
Reflecting on her silence for two decades, Hilton said, “When I left there, I was so traumatized that I didn’t want to think about it or talk about it. The shame they instilled in us made it feel impossible to tell anyone.”
She continued, “While working on This is Paris, I learned that this had become a $23 billion-a-year industry, with more than 150,000 children sent to these programs annually. I realized I couldn’t stay silent—if I didn’t tell my story, who would?”
Hilton admitted she was apprehensive about sharing her experiences publicly. “I tried to portray a perfect, fairytale life, but in reality, I was struggling,” she said. “The response was overwhelming. Hearing from thousands of people who felt safe to share their own stories after seeing mine was incredible.”
