Digital Social Hour: Stay Relevant: Lessons from 21 Years in Media | Perez Hilton DSH #1131

Release Date: January 20, 2025

Host: Sean Kelly

Introduction

In episode #1131 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with the iconic Perez Hilton to delve into his remarkable 21-year journey in the media landscape. Known for his pioneering role in celebrity gossip blogging, Perez shares invaluable insights on staying relevant in an ever-evolving digital world, the challenges of influencer culture, and his personal evolution both professionally and personally.

1. Reflecting on a 21-Year Media Career

Perez Hilton opens up about the monumental shifts in the media industry since he began his career in 2004.

• Evolving Terminology: “When I started in 2004, that word influencer didn't even exist. They used to call me web celeb, which has a nice ring to it” ([01:25]).

• Adaptation and Growth: Hiltons emphasizes the importance of evolving with the times to maintain relevance. “I still offer my Big Mac and my French fries, but I'm always trying new recipes and serving people different things” ([02:57]).

Key Insight: Longevity in media requires continuous adaptation and innovation to meet changing audience preferences.

2. The Dynamics of Social Media and Influencer Sustainability

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the transient nature of social media fame and the systemic challenges influencers face.

• Algorithmic Favoritism: Perez discusses how social media platforms are designed to favor younger creators, making sustained success challenging for older influencers. “Social media is designed to give lots of juice to somebody when they're young” ([03:00]).

• Life Experience and Work Ethic: He notes, “It's easy ish to go viral nowadays, but to maintain that over the course of a career, not a lot of people either want to or can do” ([04:22]).

• Shift to Alternative Platforms: Perez expresses concern over influencers moving to platforms like OnlyFans for quick revenue, questioning the sustainability of such moves. “It's a way to get quick and easy cash perhaps for a year and you might be lucky like a Bhad Bhabie and make a lot” ([08:54]).

Notable Quote: “If you don't evolve, you're gonna go out of business” ([02:53]).

Key Insight: The influencer landscape is fickle, and maintaining long-term success requires strategic adaptation beyond initial virality.

3. Moving to Las Vegas: A Strategic Personal and Professional Shift

Perez shares his recent relocation to Las Vegas and its impact on both his personal life and media endeavors.

• Quality of Life Improvement: “I'm so much happier in Vegas. I love it” ([25:56]).

• Professional Advantages: The move has facilitated local collaborations and hosting opportunities. “I still do all of my other Hollywood showbiz stuff, and I'm doing a lot more, like, local work, like hosting things in Vegas” ([27:45]).

• Future of Vegas Entertainment: Excited about new developments, Perez mentions upcoming studio projects that could transform Vegas into a new entertainment hub. “The Sony One is 100 happening, and that's so exciting” ([28:30]).

Notable Quote: “Life really is too short, and tomorrow is not guaranteed” ([26:00]).

Key Insight: Strategic geographic relocation can enhance both personal well-being and professional opportunities, especially in dynamic industries like media and entertainment.

4. Media Trends: The Rise of True Crime and Political Entertainment

Perez provides an analysis of current media trends, emphasizing the rise of true crime and the blending of politics with entertainment.

• True Crime Boom: “Over the last three to five years, there's really been an explosion in true crime” ([17:51]).

• Political Showbiz: The intertwining of politics and entertainment, especially post-Donald Trump, has reshaped media consumption. “Political news became showbiz thanks to Donald Trump and social media” ([17:34]).

• Cyclical Nature of Trends: He observes that media trends are cyclical, predicting a return to mainstream celebrity news after current focuses shift. “It's all a pendulum” ([18:18]).

Notable Quote: “Everything keeps evolving. People still love... everything is a trend and cyclical” ([17:34], [18:18]).

Key Insight: Understanding and anticipating media trends is crucial for content creators to stay relevant and engage their audiences effectively.

5. Navigating Public Relations and Cancel Culture

The conversation delves into Perez's experiences with PR, public perception, and the impacts of cancel culture.

• Perception of PR: Strongly believes that all publicity, good or bad, serves his brand. “Any chatter for me is good” ([29:24]).

• Resilience Against Cancellation: Perez highlights his ability to stay afloat through transparency and owning past mistakes. “I've been canceled so many times that you can't cancel me” ([42:45]).

• Balanced View on Public Figures: While critical of certain public figures, he maintains a balanced perspective, emphasizing accountability without endorsing violence. “I don't like Donald Trump. I'm not a Trump supporter, but I also don't wish any violence against him” ([20:22]).

Notable Quote: “I don't give a fudge about what people say about me” ([30:33]).

Key Insight: Building a resilient personal brand involves embracing all forms of publicity and demonstrating authenticity and accountability.

6. Personal Growth and Future Endeavors

Towards the episode's conclusion, Perez shares personal reflections and future aspirations.

• Family and Lifestyle Changes: Balancing a demanding career with family life has led him to prioritize staycations and meaningful time with his children. “We do staycations on the strip... I take one at a time” ([46:34]).

• Ambitions Beyond Blogging: Exploring opportunities in publishing and television, despite the challenges of pitching and market saturation. “I'm trying to do something in the publishing world... And it's really, that whole process is a lot of luck” ([40:08]).

• Mental and Emotional Well-being: Emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and not being shackled by past mistakes. “I forgive myself... I am really happy. I'm so grateful, and I'm still here” ([43:02]).

Notable Quote: “Life is meant to be happy and enjoyed as much as possible” ([26:00]).

Key Insight: Personal fulfillment and professional success are intertwined, necessitating a balanced approach to career ambitions and personal well-being.

Conclusion

In this candid conversation, Perez Hilton offers a wealth of knowledge drawn from over two decades in media. His reflections underscore the importance of adaptability, authenticity, and resilience in maintaining relevance. Whether navigating the tumultuous waters of social media fame or balancing personal life with professional aspirations, Perez's journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for media professionals aiming to thrive in a dynamic digital era.

Connect with Perez Hilton:

• Website: PerezHilton.com
• Podcast: The Perez Hilton Podcast
• Social Media: Available across all major platforms

Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content sections from the original podcast transcript to focus on the substantive discussions between Sean Kelly and Perez Hilton.