Aspire with Emma Grede

Episode: "The Power of Personal Branding with Paris Hilton"

Host: Emma Grede
Guest: Paris Hilton
Release Date: October 14, 2025

Overview

In this engaging and candid episode, Emma Grede sits down with Paris Hilton—iconic entrepreneur, media mogul, and self-made global brand—for a deep-dive into the art and power of personal branding. Paris opens up about deliberately building her persona, translating fame into financial empire, lessons from reinvention, the importance of authenticity and kindness, and her evolution into advocacy and motherhood.

Listeners gain practical, heartfelt wisdom about sustaining a decades-long career in the public eye, the mechanics of building business from personal brand, and balancing success with vulnerability and personal life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins of the Paris Hilton Brand

• Authenticity as Foundation:
  • Paris shares that her brand emerged organically from her personal passions and interests, beginning with her first fragrance launch 20 years ago.
  • "[My brand] has all been very authentic. Just everything's happened very naturally...I just started really just building product lines and brands and things that really resonated with my brand, things that I love and what I was passionate for." — Paris Hilton [03:14]
• The 'Pink Thread':
  • Emma and Paris discuss the unmistakable consistency—"the pink thread"—woven through all Paris’ projects, from sparkling aesthetics to the joyful 'affordable luxury' ethos.
  • "My brand is all about pink and sparkle and fun and affordable luxury as well…just creating products for my fans at an affordable price." — Paris [03:56]
• Playing the Character:
  • Early on, Paris adopted a 'character' as a protective shield, which later became central to her brand.
  • "I think it was almost like a shield to protect myself...I wanted to build this kind of Barbie doll fantasy life…all of a sudden, I get [cast in] The Simple Life, and the producers tell me to play into the character even more." — Paris [06:15]

2. Pioneering the Influencer and Creator Economy

• Paris describes herself as ahead of her time, embracing many hallmarks of the modern creator economy before it had a name.
  • "They just called it 'famous for being famous.' But now that's an entire job that people do." — Paris [07:07]
• She addresses the shift from being underestimated to finally earning business credibility and respect.

3. From Club Appearances to Empire

• Monetizing Fame:
  • Paris recounts her transition from club appearances to building product lines, with business acumen underpinning the glitz.
  • "Behind the scenes, I was having meetings and creating and releasing my fragrances...Even though I was having fun going out, I always had my business as well." — Paris [09:22]
• Business Infrastructure:
  • Early support from her manager and father, and eventually building 1111 Media, now with 30 employees across film, audio, metaverse, product lines, and more.
  • "We do everything from television, audio, film, building products and IP...It's just been mind blowing what we've accomplished." — Paris [10:38]

4. Consistency, Kindness & Resilience

• Emma remarks on Paris’ unwavering professionalism, kindness, and humility over the years, even as global attention soared.
  • "I believe in karma. I believe that you get what you give out...you've always been unbelievably consistent with your brand and unbelievably consistent as a person." — Emma [16:17]
• Paris affirms, "That's just who I am...I can't imagine being any other way." [16:40]

5. Motivations & Manifestation

• Dreams and Drives:
  • Despite financial success, Paris stays motivated by love for creation, family inspiration, and the joy of making her parents proud.
  • "I love what I do. Success is something that really drives me...I love to create things that are beautiful." — Paris [18:19]
• Reinvention & Intuition:
  • Paris follows instincts for when to pivot; every dream she's manifested has come true.
  • "Anytime I've had a dream, it always comes true." — Paris [19:31]
  • "Every 11:11 in the morning and night, I always make a wish and all of them have come true." — Paris [19:39]

6. Risk-Taking & Owning Her Story

• The decision to do "The Simple Life" was met with skepticism from family, but Paris trusted her gut.
  • "My mom…was like, Paris, I don't think it's a good idea. And of course, I didn't listen…And it was so amazing." — Paris [21:03]
• The documentary "This is Paris" enabled her to reclaim her narrative and connect deeply with fans.
  • "It was the first time I kind of showed who I really was behind the character...It's just been so liberating and…so healing as well." — Paris [22:18, 23:49]

7. Turning Pain into Purpose: Advocacy

• Advocacy for children in care has become her most meaningful work, changing 13 state laws and passing federal legislation to protect children.
  • "To make true impact. Like, I've already changed 13 state laws and passed one federal bill...That has just been incredible to...really turn my pain into a purpose." — Paris [25:45]

8. Building a Team and Navigating Trust

• Advice: Vet your team with care, do background checks, and ensure they reflect your values.
  • "Do your research on people, do background checks...you want to make sure it's people who are kind...because not everyone is a good person." — Paris [28:22]

9. Family Legacy: Paris vs. ‘Hilton’

• Paris is deliberate about being seen as Paris, not just a Hilton, and builds her own empire.
  • "I always wanted to be known as Paris, not Hilton." — Paris [29:29]
• Lessons from her grandfather: power of brand, hospitality, kindness, philanthropy, and family values.
  • "[He said,] 'Paris, you work harder than any CEO I know...I used to be known as Baron Hilton, and now I'm known as Paris Hilton's grandpa.'" — Paris [29:29]

10. Expanding the Empire: Hotels, Music, Beauty

• Paris launches her own hotel group, describing it as "iconic and fun and very me."
• Fragrance empire: On her 30th perfume, with the same long-term partners for 20 years.
  • "As a little girl, I had a dream of having one perfume. So the fact that I have 30 now is just insane." — Paris [35:02]
• Paris is hands-on with her skincare line, obsessively iterating formulas for real results.
  • "Some of [the skincare formulas] I went back like 18 times…wanted the consistency, the feel…results to see that these are actually science backed results." — Paris [38:58]
  • "I want a skincare line I could use and now the whole world could use it." [39:21]

11. Beauty and Longevity Regimen

• An intricate routine involving red light therapy, neurotris, facials, hyperbaric chamber, and more, all managed while multitasking with work.
  • "I take care of my skin like an Olympic athlete...my facialist, I see her three times a week...with all of the different devices and machines." — Paris [39:35-40:24]
• Preventative, data-driven approach to beauty; keen to biohacking and longevity trends.

12. Motherhood and Work-Life Balance

• Becoming a mom shifted her priorities—she now says no to more events, avoids FOMO, and cherishes time with her kids.
  • "With being a mom, I've learned that they'll say no because before I did not say no." — Paris [43:14]
  • "Unless it's something that's really important or I'm getting paid a lot to be there, I would rather be home chilling in my sweatsuit and just with my kids." [45:00]
• Invents the term "sliving mom" (slay + live your best life).
  • "A mom that's slays and lives her best life." — Paris [45:38]

13. Marriage, Love, and Business Partnership

• Her husband Carter Reum is supportive, secure, and a major inspiration.
  • "He really is always like in the front row at my concerts, like, jumping...he always makes me so happy and feel so safe." — Paris [51:19]
• Carter helps guide Paris' investments and inspired her to explore new business ventures.
  • "He knows everything about everything and tech...I'm constantly just learning so much about investing." — Paris [54:26]

14. Building 1111 Media: The Dream Factory

• Centralizing everything under 1111 Media allowed Paris to realize her multi-hyphenate ambitions.
  • "If I didn't have my own company like this, I don't think it would be possible because...agencies are not really certified to handle something like me." — Paris [55:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Authenticity:
  • "The secret is just always staying true to myself." — Paris [03:56]
• On Changing Perceptions:
  • "I was definitely underestimated...But I think now I've proven myself." — Paris [05:29]
• On Manifestation:
  • "Every 11:11 in the morning and night, I always make a wish and all of them have come true." — Paris [19:39]
• On Advocacy:
  • "To be the voice for so many who don't have a voice and to make true impact...turn my pain into a purpose." — Paris [25:45]
• On Parenting:
  • "I'm a sliving mom...a mom that's slays and lives her best life." — Paris [45:38]

Important Timestamps

• Personal Branding & Consistency – [03:14] to [04:49]
• Creator Economy & Early Monetization – [07:00] to [09:41]
• Building a Business & Team – [09:57] to [11:14]
• Kindness, Professionalism, and Reputation – [16:17] to [16:55]
• Motivation & Manifestation – [18:19] to [20:11]
• The Simple Life: Risk & Reinvention – [21:03] to [22:49]
• Documentary & Advocacy – [22:18] to [26:44]
• Family Legacy & Brand Building – [29:10] to [30:49]
• Beauty, Skincare, and Wellness – [37:00] to [42:47]
• Motherhood & Balance – [43:07] to [46:44]
• Marriage & Investing – [51:19] to [55:34]
• Biggest Business Lesson & 1111 Media – [55:40] to [56:46]

Rapid Fire Highlights [59:11–62:39]

• First thing in the morning: Red light bed and cryo machine [59:15]
• Last thing before bed: Bubble bath with husband, then cartoons [59:27]
• First fragrance: "Joy," like her mom and grandma [60:04]
• Favorite Simple Life memory: Mermaid tail episode [60:17]
• Book that changed her life: The Secret [61:04]
• Favorite beauty hack: Ice water for depuffing [61:12]
• Parenting mantra: "If you sliv, you live." [61:35]
• What matters now vs. then: Now values time over others’ opinions [62:15]

Actionable Wisdom & Strategic Takeaways

• Authenticity, joy, and consistency are at the heart of sustainable personal branding.
• Protect your energy and keenly vet your team—truly know who's around you.
• Reinvention and intuition are vital: pivot when your gut tells you.
• Don’t let the world define your narrative—own your story.
• Transformation and growth come from serving others and turning pain into purpose.
• Unapologetically pursue innovation—even if it means being "ahead of your time."
• Maintain boundaries for your wellbeing and for those you love—especially as a parent.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in long-game personal branding, creative entrepreneurship, and resilience. Paris Hilton’s journey—rooted in authenticity, re-invention, and service—shows how a carefully nurtured persona, combined with true business savvy and heart, can build not just a brand, but a transcendent, positive legacy.

Paris Hilton’s parting advice to her younger self:
"You're going to go through a lot in life and sometimes it's going to be difficult, but one day you're going to use your voice and make a difference for so many people. Always be kind to yourself. Don't be afraid to show people the real you." [58:49]