Paris Hilton Responds to Online Attacks After Photo of Her Son Sparks Backlash
Note: This story was originally published in October 2023 and is being republished.
Paris Hilton, now navigating motherhood under constant public scrutiny, opened up about the emotional toll of seeing her 8-month-old son, Phoenix Barron, targeted with cruel commentary after she shared photos from his first visit to New York City. In an earnest Instagram message, Hilton called out the online harassment as “unacceptable,” saying that attacks on her child cut deeper than any criticism aimed at her personally.
On October 19, Hilton, 42, posted several images of Phoenix—whom she and husband Carter Reum welcomed via surrogate on January 16, 2023—capturing what should have been a joyful milestone. Instead, some viewers seized on his appearance to leave hurtful remarks. A TikTok user amplified some of the negative responses, prompting Hilton to reassure her audience that her son is “perfectly healthy” and playfully noting that he “just has a large brain.”
In a follow-up Instagram Story, she reflected on the broader context of being a parent in the public eye. “Living life in the spotlight, comments are inevitable,” Hilton wrote, “but targeting my child, or anyone’s child for that matter, is unacceptable.” She described the experience as heartbreaking and emphasized the disparity between how mothers are judged no matter what they choose to share: “If I don’t post my baby, people assume I’m not a good mother. If I do, there are some who feel entitled to make cruel and hateful remarks.”
Hilton called Phoenix a “blessing,” describing him as “perfectly healthy, adorable, and angelic.” She added that becoming a mother had been a lifelong dream, and that every day with him reminds her “of what truly matters.” Her message was not only personal but also a broader appeal: she urged the public to show more empathy, especially toward children. “It’s hard to understand how anyone could target such innocence,” she wrote. “I hope we can all treat each other with a little more kindness and compassion.”
Hilton and Reum first announced Phoenix’s arrival with a tender photo of her holding his tiny hand, captioned, “You are already loved beyond words 💙.” Since then, she has leaned on her family for support. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Hilton spoke warmly about the role her parents, Kathy and Rick Hilton, have played, saying they are “absolutely obsessed” with their grandson. She also mentioned relying on her mother and sister, Nicky Hilton, for parenting guidance, calling herself “incredibly lucky” to have such a close and supportive circle.
As Paris Hilton continues to define her identity as a public figure and a mother, she is focused on shielding her son from toxicity and cultivating a positive environment for their family. The backlash over a simple family photo has reinforced for her the importance of boundaries, respect, and the need for a more compassionate discourse online.
