- Title: Paris Hilton reveals details of troubled past in new documentary 'This Is Paris'
- Date: 7th October 2020
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 6, 2020) (REUTERS VIA ZOOM) (SOUNDBITE) (English) TV PERSONALITY, PARIS HILTON, SAYING: "A lot of people have no idea. You know, because teens and if you come from one of these places, a lot of people are just not believed. I've had so many people write me letters saying, 'Thank you so much, no one has ever believed me. I haven't spoken to my parents in 20 years because they sent me there, but now I don't blame my family because I understand that these places are - con and manipulate the parents just as much as they do to the children'."
- Embargoed: 21st October 2020 19:32
- Keywords: abuse documentary film movie paris hilton protest provo canyon school
- Location: UNKNOWN FILM LOCATIONS / LOS ANGELES + BEVERLY HILLS + HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA + NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / INTERNET / ANTIBES, FRANCE
- City: UNKNOWN FILM LOCATIONS / LOS ANGELES + BEVERLY HILLS + HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA + NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / INTERNET / ANTIBES, FRANCE
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Film,United States
- Reuters ID: LVA008CZ4OYFH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Paris Hilton has gone from reality star to businesswoman and now activist.
The television personality alleges in her new documentary, "This is Paris" that she was abused at the Provo Canyon School as a teenager and is now working to have the institution closed.
"I've had so many people write me letters saying, 'Thank you so much, no one has ever believed me. I haven't spoken to my parents in 20 years because they sent me there, but now I don't blame my family because I understand that these places are - con and manipulate the parents just as much as they do to the children'," said Hilton.
In the film, which premiered on her YouTube page in September, Hilton alleges she was mentally and physically abused, placed in solidarity confinement for hours at a time and forced to take unknown medications. Reuters could not independently confirm her claims.
The 39-year-old said she was sent to Provo and several other schools that specialize in adolescent behavior by her parents after years of rebellion as a teen.
In response to Reuters about Hilton's accusations, the Provo Canyon School sent a statement that reads in part: "We are aware of media referencing Provo Canyon School. Please note that PCS was sold by its previous ownership in August 2000. We therefore cannot comment on the operations or patient experience prior to that time."
The school also stated: "Over the last two decades, mental health treatment has evolved from a behaviors-based foundation to a personalized, trauma-informed approach. We work with extremely complex individuals who often present a danger to themselves and others. Provo Canyon School is committed to the safety of our patients and staff."
However, Hilton said the change in ownership is an excuse: "If you go online, there are thousands and thousands of statements, way past 2000. There's people - there's been, I know about 10 kids that were pulled out of Provo just because the parents saw my documentary and pulled their children out and I'm in contact with them. "
The original premise of the film was to spotlight Hilton as a businesswoman and clear up misconceptions about herself, but during shooting she found herself mentally and emotionally exhausted and began opening up to her director.
"I felt so comfortable with her and told her about my nightmares and a little bit about the story," said Hilton.
"But I said, I don't want this in the film. And then she just kept pushing me more and more. And then I realized that this could actually help a lot of people and empower others and also put an end to the abuse in the troubled-teen industry."
Hilton said talking about what happened to her has been such a weight of her shoulders and she's excited to be using her real voice, instead of the baby voice that made her famous, to make a difference.
"It's exhausting just to pretend to be like, you have no brain and you have no idea what's going on. I've done that for so long. And I've always known what was happening. I'm just, I'm not a dumb blond. I'm just very good at pretending to be one. So, it's, it's a great feeling that I can finally be myself, speak in my normal voice and show that I'm actually very smart. And it's, it's a great feeling. I just I want everyone to know who I really am."
Hilton's goal is to have the Provo Canyon School shut down and has teamed up with BreakingCodeSilence.net, to raise awareness about emotional growth schools.
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