Tonight, MTV will screen the new documentary, “Paris, Not France,” which highlights celebutante Paris Hilton’s rise to fame.
“I think there are a lot of people that have misconceptions about me,” Paris told Access Hollywood’s Tony Potts in a new interview. “They assume I’m just a party girl and they don’t realize there’s a business behind it. I’ve created this over the past 10 years.”
The documentary showcases Paris’ high points, but it also looks into her lows — including her notorious sex tape, which she opened up about to Tony.
“Was the sex tape a [pivotal] moment in changing your life?” Tony asked.
“It was definitely very painful,” Paris said. “When you trust someone and love someone — for them to do that to you, it’s really hard… It’s something that bothers me everyday.”
The tape, recorded by her ex-boyfriend, Rick Salomon, surfaced in 2003. And it took Paris’ fame to a new level — but for the wrong reason.
Paris dedicates a large portion of time to the scandal in her new MTV documentary, something she said was difficult.
“By putting it in the film, it was really hard for me to have it in there, because it’s something I never discussed,” Paris told Tony. “But I also think it’s a big learning lesson, because I think a lot of girls, when they’re in a relationship, they will love someone and trust them and maybe let them do that. I know that’s happened to a lot of people… And you never know what they could do with it.”
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“Take me from that moment of what you were feeling and how you somehow turned it all around,” Tony said.
“Well, obviously I was humiliated, embarrassed and in shock that it happened,” Paris explained. “It wasn’t my fault, it was something that someone did to me, so I’ve just learned to be a strong woman, and nothing can hurt me at this point.”
But beyond the sex tape scandal, the film reveals the stunning empire Paris has built, beginning with more home movies — some of Paris as a happy little girl.
“It’s really fun to see myself when I was little and probably the part that touches my heart the most is watching my grandmother because she died a couple years [later] from breast cancer,” Paris told Tony. “We were so close, and every time I watch that part, I just cry.”
And the film also follows what Paris calls her dream — to turn into a business mogul.
“It’s always been a dream when I was a little girl to do this,” Paris told Tony.
“What are some of the [misconceptions] you really wanted to hammer home, and say, ‘Look this is what you think, but this is what I am?’” Tony asked.
“Well, I think when people haven’t met me and they just read certain things that aren’t untrue, they might think that I’m spoiled, that I’m a brat, that I haven’t worked for what I have when really it’s the complete opposite. I’ve worked very hard for what I’ve achieved,” Paris said. “None of this was given to me. I’ve done it all by myself.”
“Paris, Not France,” airs on MTV tonight at 8:30 PM.