Paris Hilton’s Obsession with NFTs

The hotel heiress turned business woman and self-proclaimed '#bosslady' sold her first NFT - an iPad drawing of her cat Munchkin in August 2020. Doesn't sound like all that long ago? Well, the digital world moves at the speed of light. So yes, it's fair to say that Paris, once again, found herself ahead of the curve. Fuelled by the corona crisis and the lockdowns, she recognised the importance Of the digital realm and NFTs and their potential to empower and inspire people, creators especially. Aiming to become an authority in the NFT space, she immersed herself in the 'game'. She did her research, fuelled by podcasts and conversations with industry leaders.

Once she felt she'd taken in what there is to know about NFTs, Hilton created an NFT-focused Instagram account, published blog posts ('I'm Excited About NFTs — You Should Be Too'), and presented her own podcast 'What the Hell's an NET' (because according to Paris people are asking her that question all the time). She even named her dogs, two tiny teacup Pomeranians, after her current obsession: Crypto and Ether — funny, yes, but downright hilarious is the fact that Hilton's fiancé's last name is Reum and when Ether and Reum are put together you get Ethereum — a nod to the infamous blockchain. All jokes aside, Hilton means business and knows exactly what she's doing, pioneering the field of NFTs; in April last year, she sold her own official NFT collection in collaboration with artist Blake Kathryn, for over a million dollars. More recently, last summer she revealed she has invested in NFT platform Origin Protocol.

PP
Did you already collect art before you got into NFTS?

PH
Making and collecting art has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I always loved art as a little girl and have been a collector and artist myself ever since. Digital art is another extension of the type of art I love.

PP
How did you get into NFTs?

PH
I was exposed to NFTs several years ago through a charity I'm involved with. At the time, I remember thinking, there's definitely something special happening. So I began to learn about them. I immersed myself in the field, learning from other creators, collectors, platform designers. Basically, anyone who is willing to share their knowledge with me. I drew my first NFT back in March 2020, a portrait of my kitten Munchkin, and it sold for $17,000 for charity. It's so wild seeing how everything has evolved and is continuing to evolve.

PP
Back then, did you expect that NFTs would blow up the way they did? Did you immediately see the potential?

PH
As a Creator, I had a sense that NFTs could be big because I could see how they would give me more control over my art. To me, that's the most significant piece of the NFT puzzle: they give creators more control over their art, both artistically and economically.

PP

People got to know you via The Simple Life, and now here you are, rather unexpectedly, a crypto- and NFT-pioneer...

PH
To me, it is no surprise. I am constantly challenging myself to explore new territory, and I think my fans, my Little Hiltons, and my close friends and family all know that about me. I've always prided myself in being an innovator and a pioneer. If someone is surprised that I've had a dozen careers since The Simple Life, that I'm always thinking about what is next then all I can say is: keep watching!

PP
Do you think NFTs will change the (traditional) art world?

PH
NFTs have the power to change not just the art world, but all of the creative-driven worlds, like music, fashion, and so on. The blockchain technology behind NFTs allows artists more control over their work, especially the financial aspects of it, and it allows so many more consumers to participate in the marketplace. Those two factors alone will transform the creator economy. I'm so excited to see that the space keeps expanding.

PP
Do you think the NFT space can contribute to a sense of 'global community' as there are no physical boundaries?

PH
Artists have always had the power to ignite the collective consciousness and giving them more reach with technology like NETS will certainly enhance that.

PP
Were you excited to hear that your piece is included in the MOCO Museum NFT exhibition?

PH
I was so excited. I feel like all of these steps that are being taken will go down in art history as the moments when things really started to change, and to be a part of that is exciting.

PP
Will you continue to be into traditional art, alongside NFTs?

PH
I really don't ever give anything up...l just keep adding more. So yes, I continue to be involved in all forms Of Creativity that allow me to express myself, bring me joy and inspire others. I will always love all types of art! I love paintings, collages, sculptures, and making physical art as well. Music, fashion and performing are all forms of art that I will continue to create.

PP
You are a big supporter of female artists, and you're offering them a platform. Can you explain why this is important to you?

PH
As a woman, it is important to me to support other talented women. I try to be supportive of anything that promotes more diverse voices in the creative arts. I say this all the time, "Empowered women empower women." I love when all of us can unite and be successful together. I feel like that is what true community is all about.

PP
As a woman, and with your background as a tv-star, do you feel respected in the tech and financial world?

PH
I think that most women will relate to the notion that it sometimes feels like we have to work super hard to earn the respect that is just given to men, but I will say that my experience in the NFT space has been very positive. The community as a whole has been generous to me with their knowledge and experience and I am grateful for that. That being said, I'd love to keep seeing more and more women at the head of these companies as well as making beautiful art within the community.

PP
Do you see it as your task to bring NFTs to the mainstream?

PH
I love to share what moves me with my family, friends, and fans, so in that sense, it is my mission to bring NFTs to more people. But it really doesn't feel like a chore...it's a joy to share this wonderful art and to see where we can collectively take this emerging format.

PP
What NFT project are you currently working on?

PH
I can't really share too many details right now, but my next NFT project will drop on Origin Protocol and I think that people will see that I am trying, once again, to push the limits of what is possible and to give the fans of my work something that they are really proud to own. I'm so excited to show everyone what I've been working on.

PP
How many NFTs do you currently have?

PH
I have almost 150 NFTs, but my collection is rapidly growing!

PP
Who are your favorite NFT artists?

PH
Lately, I really have loved Grime's drops, as well as my friends like Zedd and Calvin Harris. I loved Pak's collection with Sotheby's and Nifty Gateway. I was obsessed with FriendsWithYou and their collaboration with Diplo and I'm a fan of Blake Kathryn who is so amazingly talented and I was able to partner with for my first drop.'