Paris Hilton Addresses Online Criticism Following Backlash Over Photo of Her Son

Note: This article was first published in October 2023 and has been updated.

Paris Hilton, now embracing life as a new mother, has spoken out about the emotional impact of seeing her 8-month-old son, Phoenix Barron, subjected to online cruelty. After sharing photos of his first trip to New York City, Hilton faced a wave of hurtful comments about his appearance. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she condemned the negative reactions, calling the attacks on her baby “unacceptable” and saying they hurt more than any personal criticism she’s received.

The photos, posted on October 19, showed Hilton, 42, and her son—who was born via surrogate on January 16, 2023—celebrating a special family moment. Instead of joy, however, some responses focused on Phoenix’s looks, with a TikTok user even highlighting some of the harshest remarks. Hilton reassured followers that her son is “perfectly healthy” and jokingly added that he simply “has a large brain.”

In a follow-up message via Instagram Story, Hilton reflected on the challenges of parenting in the public eye. She acknowledged that criticism is part of living in the spotlight but drew a firm line when it comes to children. “Commentary is part of fame,” she wrote, “but directing hate at a child—any child—is beyond wrong.” She also noted the double standards she faces, explaining how some criticize her whether she shares pictures of her son or not.