Paris Hilton Opens Up About Her 19-Year-Old Sex Tape Scandal

Paris Hilton publicly addressed the impact of her 2004 sex tape scandal during a recent appearance on Capitol Hill. Joined by Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Republican Representative Laurel Lee, Hilton expressed her commitment to advocating for the protection of women against similar violations.

Paris Hilton’s Empowering Speech

During her speech, Hilton shared her painful experience, stating, “When I was 19 years old, a private, intimate video of me was shared with the world without my consent.” She emphasized that the incident was more than just a scandal; it was an act of abuse.

Support for the DEFIANCE Act

Hilton’s appearance aimed to support the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act, also known as the DEFIANCE Act. This bipartisan legislation empowers victims of AI-generated explicit content to seek legal recourse against those who create, share, or intend to distribute such material.

• The DEFIANCE Act has already passed in the Senate.
• It offers crucial protections for victims of online exploitation.

Hilton reflected on her past, stating, “There were no laws at the time to protect me,” highlighting the vulnerability of women at that time, particularly with the rise of the internet.

Addressing the Aftermath

Hilton expressed her distress over the public’s reaction, noting that she was portrayed as the punchline of a joke rather than as a victim. “They sold my pain for clicks,” she said, recalling the humiliation she endured as a result of the video’s release.

She poignantly declared, “What I’ve learned is that when your image is violated, it doesn’t disappear; it lives inside you, but so does your power.” Hilton called for continued advocacy to ensure that all survivors, now and in the future, are protected.

Reflections on the Past

In her 2024 memoir, Hilton elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the recording, revealing that her then-boyfriend Rick Salomon filmed the tape without her full consent. Following the tape’s release, Salomon pursued a defamation lawsuit against Hilton, who countersued and later donated her awarded damages to charity.

In a 2021 interview with Vanity Fair, she described the tape as “something that will hurt me for the rest of my life,” emphasizing the trust betrayal she felt. This incident has continued to affect her mental health and personal life.

Upcoming Documentary

Hilton is set to release a new documentary titled *Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir* on January 30. The film will explore her upcoming album of the same name and detail her struggles in the face of media scrutiny and personal trauma.

Through this documentary, Hilton aims to confront ingrained misogyny in media portrayals and discuss her experiences at troubled teen schools, where she claims to have faced abuse.