Paris Hilton goes full circle with Walmart, from ‘The Simple Life’ to business partner – The Hollywood Reporter

Paris Hilton poses with cooking utensils.

Brendan Forbes/KGM Entertainment Inc.

Back in the early ’80s, heiress Paris Hilton and her partymate and best friend Nicole Richie are cast as stranded socialites trying their best to fit in on their family farm on the Fox reality show. He temporarily moved to Arkansas to paint. simple life. In a 2003 episode, Hilton surprised the hosts by acting stupid during dinner and asking, “What is Walmart?” Is he selling walls there? ”

The line has become a Hilton signature and has recently been given new life on social media in the form of memes and spliced ​​viral clips. It’s a scene Hilton gleefully featured in her recent interview, where her new cookware line, the Be Ann Icon Collection, is exclusively sold.I’m gasping!) Walmart. “This is definitely a full-circle moment of, ‘What is Walmart?’ Well, we sell Paris Hilton cookware,” says the 42-year-old new mother. THR. “I obviously knew what Walmart was when I shot this. I was just playing around. simple life A character from that time. ”

How did you end up doing business with Walmart?

This is the second collection in my cookware line. I was very excited to partner with Walmart because I love going to Walmart and have so much fun shopping there. For me, all the commercially available cooking utensils are so boring and so simple that I really wanted to make cooking in the kitchen more fun. We thought it would be great to partner with Walmart to create a line that is really beautiful, pink, girly, and glamorous. The tagline is “Become an icon.” Because I think everyone should feel like an icon, even in the kitchen.

What is your favorite item from the line? Is there one that you use the most?

I love the entire collection. But some of my favorites are the heart-shaped charcuterie board with the cute crystal serving knife. Perfect for entertaining when inviting people. I was making something using it the other day, [a charcuterie board] With crackers, cheese and grapes. Another had a bunch of sweets with cute pink candies in them. I also made another one for my dog. It had all the little dog treats on it and was so cute. they liked it.

We are also particular about mini refrigerators. I like that it can be placed in both cool and warm environments. I keep all my face sheet masks, eye masks, etc. next to my bed. Keep all your skin care and tools cool. I have another one downstairs in the Thriving Spa area that I keep on a warm setting to hold my hot towels in when I get a facial. You can use it for snacks, food, or whatever you need. A perfect holiday gift to brighten up your home or kitchen in many ways. It also has a lighted mirror on the front, perfect for taking selfies with perfect lighting.

When I heard about this collection, I did a quick Google search for “Paris Hilton” and “Walmart.”Remarkable results are from your reality show simple life We’re featuring the moments that made you say, “What is Walmart?” What do you remember about that scene and the impact it had? And did you think about that when doing business with Walmart?

Yeah, of course, that’s one of the most iconic lines. simple life: “What is Wal-Mart? Do they sell walls there?” This was definitely a full-circle moment where I realized they don’t sell walls there. “What is Walmart?” They also sell Paris Hilton’s cooking utensils. I like that. I’ve seen the scene reposted on Instagram and TikTok. People are making memes and videos reposting it and it always makes me laugh. I obviously knew what Walmart was when I shot it.i was just playing simple life Character at that time. When I mentioned it at the dinner table, they were all shocked that I didn’t know what Walmart was. That’s a line I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Having a line of cookware there made it even more iconic.

WWD It was recently reported that it had signed a deal with IHL Group as its ready-to-wear and handbag partner. In that story, you mentioned how important it was to you that everything you put your name on had to have a Paris Hilton vibe, a Paris Hilton DNA. When you’re attending a business or design meeting, how do you specify exactly what it’s about?

To me, the Paris Hilton vibe definitely has a lot of pink and sparkle and a Parisian vibe to it. When people wear my clothes or perfumes or buy something from my collection, I want them to feel empowered to be the most authentic version of themselves. I strive to create unique and fun pieces and pride myself on always being ahead of the curve, especially when it comes to fashion. That’s why it’s so great to see all these iconic looks I put together as a stylist-less teenager reappearing on social media and on the runways. Big brands are recreating them and using them as inspiration for new designs and mood boards. It’s truly incredible. The little girl in me would be so proud. That’s what I always want to have in my collection.

Let’s talk about affordability and price. Prices for IHL Group’s ready-to-wear line will reportedly range from $68 to $395. You’re currently working with Walmart, so I feel like you’re thinking about partnering with the right retail partners to make items affordable for your fans. How do you proceed with those decisions?

For me, my brand has always been about affordable luxury and creating something accessible to my fans. I love collecting work from all over the world, but I want everyone to enjoy it. I always try to make my products affordable so people can feel like they own a piece of me. We partner with stores and organizations that make this possible. It’s always in the back of my mind.

I read that children’s clothing is also likely to appear. How have your aspirations changed since becoming a mother?

We’re already working on a line for kids, and it’s so much fun dressing up Phoenix. I can’t wait for my little girl to wear matching outfits and enjoy the mommy and me style. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and I’m really looking forward to dressing Phoenix in a cute costume for Halloween. I love having fun with fashion. Your dream of designing cute baby looks has come true. I really enjoy being in the studio and designing new pieces.

You were talking about a baby girl. Are you already planning to expand your family?

I can’t wait for my daughter to be born. It has always been my dream – to bring a little princess into this world. We’re thrilled that we have Phoenix and he’s going to be such a great big brother. Yes, please look forward to it.

The next season will be Paris in love coming. After filming the first season of this reality show, was there anything that was off-limits this time around?

The first season showed us all about the wedding and the process of its preparation, which was a lot of fun. I can’t wait for my fans to experience the next chapter after I get married and become a mother. Since the documentary was released, This is Parisand my memoirs, Paris: Memoirs, I’m a very open book. There’s nothing to hide. I’m so proud of my journey and everything I’ve been through. Nothing is off limits at the show. When Phoenix is ​​born, you will see my relationship with Phoenix at the hospital. [my husband] Carter travels to Washington DC for advocacy work, introduces federal legislation, spends time with her sister and mother, and balances being a mother, recording an album in the studio, running a company, and preparing. balance. First live concert at the Fonda Theater.

I have a very busy and fulfilling life, which I enjoy a lot, but it also comes with a lot of challenges. I’m very proud of this new season. We watch every episode and we laugh and cry. Sometimes it’s fun, sometimes it’s sad, and it’s very moving to watch. I wanted to show that people go through everything in life. Over the past few years, I’ve become very vulnerable by sharing my life, and it’s been incredibly healing. There is great power in sharing your story and truth.

What are the biggest challenges in running a media company?

One of the biggest challenges is that there aren’t enough days in the week to get it all done. Every day I receive different offers and people come to me with different ideas. He has a busy schedule of performances and performances. Let’s be honest, we don’t have enough time to cram everything in. I’m saying no to a lot of things right now because I’m a mom, and I want to be there for Phoenix as much as possible so I don’t miss any of his milestones. I learned the word “no” which was difficult before. I’m an Aquarius, so I’m a very creative person, and I also have ADHD, so my mind is always spinning and coming up with new ideas.

I feel lucky to work with such a great team at 11:11 Media. My business partner is the president, Bruce Gersh, and we have so many different areas of business, from TV and film to podcasting to music to products to the Metaverse. We talk every day and consider everything that comes in. That’s a lot. I’m also back in the studio recording my second album. Thea is the executive producer of my new album and she is truly one of the most talented and beautiful humans inside and out. She was very supportive of my music. Her new skincare line is also in development, having just released her 29th fragrance and soon to launch her 30th fragrance. It’s incredibly smelly.

What is the most profitable industry?

All fragrance lines have been a huge success. I just returned from Bangkok and Malaysia for my 29th Perfume appearance. It’s amazing to see so many fans love and enjoy these perfumes after 20 years. It’s so cute to see a whole new generation of mothers coming in with their daughters. I’m so proud that I’ve built this entire empire around perfume. When I was little, my mother had a room full of perfume, and her sister and I would go in there and spray it on. We will all feel grown up. I looked at her mother and said, “One day I’m going to have my own Paris perfume.” I thought I’d keep just one. Well, it’s a dream come true that the 30th edition will be released soon. I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve built and worked hard for.

A version of this story first appeared in the Oct. 11 issue of The Hollywood Reporter.Click here to subscribe.