It was a full circle moment to meet the original influencer, Paris Hilton! I can’t believe I’ve been thinking about Paris Hilton for 20 years and we finally met. That means she has influenced 2/3 of my life.
In the early 2000s while I was in grade six, I had an assignment to create a magazine. I called mine Hot On The Street. Paris Hilton became famous with her catchphrase “That’s Hot” at the same time. She made the word “hot” sound cool and something clicked.
In grade eight, I skipped school with a friend to see Paris Hilton and the cast of House of Wax outside MuchMusic HQ. They used to have amazing events! It was fun to see Paris with Jared Padalecki and Chad Michael Murray.
In grade ten, I made Chaud Sur La Rue for French class and then made the last print version of Hot On The Street in grade twelve. I launched Hot On The Street as a blog a year later while I was a student at Western University.
At Western, I met a “personal branding expert” who told me that I shouldn’t associate with Paris Hilton. I took his advice seriously for a while. Then The New York Times wrote an expose about how he bought followers for famous social media clients so I disregarded his advice. I updated the about page on my website to say how Paris Hilton is part of my history.
While working on Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, I partnered with ABC on their TV special Sellebrity, which explained how Paris Hilton launched Kim’s career. This project was a highlight of my work experience, especially during the pandemic.
My first viral Instagram reel was about how Emily In Paris inspired my work presentations and I spent several presentations talking about Paris Hilton. It’s wild!
I didn’t think Paris would do a book signing for her memoir with a new baby, so I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve never booked a trip so fast! Sometimes you need to hop on a plane to make things happen and I was thrilled to have an excuse to go back to New York.
I wish Paris would’ve written “That’s Hot” in my book, otherwise it was great and totally worth it. Paris Hilton is the first person from the Madame Tussauds wax museum who I’ve met in real life!
I loved meeting Paris Hilton’s supportive husband Carter Reum while I waited for my photo op. He’s very energetic and he should host events!
I borrowed Paris Hilton’s first book Confessions Of An Heiress: A Tongue-In-Chic Peek Behind the Pose from the library, so I don’t own a copy. That’s how I learned we both have big feet and that always made me feel connected to her like sole sisters – cheesy I know, but it’s true!
This event made me realize how my virtual job in Toronto encouraged me to pursue incredible in-person experiences in New York. I flew to New York to meet Caitlyn Jenner, Simon Huck, Paris Hilton and check out the Taylor Swift exhibit at the GRAMMY Museum. I’ll be back soon!