This Is Paris

I can't believe these words are about to come out of my mouth (or from the ends of my fingertips), but this Paris Hilton documentary is actually great. It's truly mesmerizing and well worth your time, and yes, I know, pass the smelling salts and get thee to the fainting couch.

I've never been a big fan of hers, but I also wasn't that bothered by her antics. I watched "The Simple Life" back in the early aughts and was entertained. She then popped back on my radar after we watched the Netflix docuseries "The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping", in which she appeared and then again when she testified in Sacramento a few weeks ago about her experience. That led to this documentary, which is an imperfect, though sincere and vulnerable portrait where she goes into more detail about her harrowing experience as a victim of the troubled teen industry. I have more sympathy for her and what she went through and while it might be hard for an heiress to change her image (leopard, spots), I think she's definitely not the worst person alive. There are so many more worthy contenders for that title.

Growing up in the 2000's, I remember Paris Hilton being the ideal for many girls. She was a trend setter, she was attractive, she was always at THE places to be at. Yet, everyone figured she was a bimbo. Doing a show like "The Simple Life" just fueled that perception of her. While she pretended to be stupid in public, so did many regular girls. I witnessed that at my own schools. I found Paris funny but I was always more of an Amy Winehouse fan at the time. Another "wild girl" of the time but who couldn't be bothered with keeping a made up persona. Pretending to be stupid was never my thing. Something always told me Paris Hilton was not the vapid girl she displayed herself as in the public eye. This documentary confirms that.

You can see that she struggles with letting her real self come out. The baby voiced Paris we're all familiar with comes out even when she's trying to let her guard down. That alone is enough proof of the trauma this woman has. Too many people might accuse her of being fake, but you can tell that she's uncomfortable being her true "imperfect" self in front of a camera. The real Paris with the deeper voice comes out when she's really into her emotions and especially when she's retelling the trauma of attending that horrible excuse for a school. Learning how strict and conservative her family is helps all of Paris' public decisions make sense. Another tale about how money makes no difference. All the riches in the world and the ugliness of life can still creep in.

Yes there are times where her spoiled upbringing comes out, such as her talking about her large collection of shoes (some of which she never wears) or her goal of being a billionaire. This can rub the average person the wrong way but it shouldn't take away one's ability to empathize with her. No one deserves to have gone what she's gone through. This was a free spirited girl who was trapped by her parents and when they couldn't really do it, they had abusers in the guise of disciplinarians do the job. I think if her parents were more realistic and simply cautioned her about what comes with being a socialite rather than just treat her like a prisoner, she wouldn't have gone overly wild, and that's true of any child from any socioeconomic background.

The documentary isn't perfect, it's not this cinematic or (youtube) masterpiece, but you certainly get a new perspective of Paris Hilton. I hope people listen to her story instead of instantly bashing her.

She comes from a rich family and like any family it has it ups and downs. Paris as a child always wanted to be in the limelight and over the years this has not changed. Contrary to what she says, she is still feeding her brand, this time seeking sympathy by telling the hard times she had as a child. But let's face it, Paris was out of hand and any parent would have taken steps to curtail this behavior. Perhaps Paris was badly traumatized at Provo and is reliving this to this day, but for sensation and dramatization, this viewer does not buy it.

It is obvious looking at her over the years that she loves the attention and will always do as Paris does.

I've long thought Paris Hilton was an intriguing character of modern Hollywood, and this documentary gives us true insight behind the curtain. Trailblazer of 'new fame' as we know it today. Paris' life - from abuse; to rebellious club kid; to the socialite and head of a multi-billion dollar conglomerate - is heartbreaking, inspiring and controversial.

Well worth a watch, for fans and haters alike.

I'm in my 30s so I grew up watching Paris on tv & seeing her in the tabloids so I assumed this documentary would be the same old Paris persona but I was pleasantly surprised it was not that at all! I have a new found respect for Paris & I hope she continues to show her true real self.