Paris Hilton said she was “misunderstood” after years of “playing a character” as she discussed her life in the spotlight on BBC’s Woman’s Hour.
The 42-year-old reality TV star wore three outfits in one day while promoting her new anthology Paris: The Memoir in London on Thursday.
Arriving at the BBC studios for a candid new interview, Paris looked chic in a colourful, floral tea dress with stiletto heels.
Speaking to Anita Rani on chat, she said it was “time for people to get to know the real me” as she opened up about her “traumatic experiences.”
Her appearance comes after she was spotted chatting with BBC staff on the picket line this morning and also speaking on Magic FM, in different dresses.
Chic: Paris Hilton said she was “misunderstood” for “playing a character” when discussing her life in the spotlight on BBC’s Woman’s Hour
Stylish: The reality TV star wore three outfits in one day while promoting her new collector’s book Paris: The Memoir in London on Thursday
Paris styled her light blonde tresses into classic curls and protected her eyes with oversized sunglasses
Speaking of the series, the heiress said: “It’s about time people knew the real me, I’ve been underestimated and misunderstood for so long and I can understand having played a part for so many years.
“I didn’t even realize until recently that it was a traumatic reaction to what I went through and then was hyped up by the media.
“It’s something I think I’ve experienced because people don’t know the real me. The early 2000s was all about pitting women against each other and tearing women down.
Adding that her life was in the spotlight growing up, Paris explained that she was “constantly shadowed by paparazzi.”
She continued, “I thought, ‘You might as well smile and look good in the photos instead of fighting it.’
“If you do that, throw something or give the middle finger like some other people have done, it just makes you look bad.”
Earlier in the day, Paris wore an elegant navy blue velvet dress as she exited Broadcasting House, where she smiled at members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Elegant: Arriving at the BBC studios for a candid new interview, Paris looked chic in a colourful, floral tea dress with stiletto heels
Busy: Earlier in the day, Paris wore an elegant navy velvet dress as she left Broadcasting House, where she smiled at members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The TV personality later transformed into an elegant red and black floral number while chatting about her new book on Magic FM.
Paris were seen chatting with BBC workers at the picket line as they continued their strike – as teachers, rail workers and Amazon workers also left.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said about 1,000 BBC journalists had started the 24-hour strike as of 11am on Wednesday, as part of an ongoing row over the company’s plans to shut down local radio.
BBC journalists chanted “save local radio” and “keep local radio local” outside Broadcasting House in London yesterday. Others held placards that read “Stop Cuts” and “Save Local News,” while a homemade sign read “Keep BBC Radio Local.”
Socialite Paris joined the strikers outside BBC Radio 2 studios this morning as she prepared to promote her new book on The One Show tonight – and the union offered her a flag to join the strikers ‘ show solidarity”.
Out and about: The TV personality later transformed into a sophisticated red and black floral number while chatting about her new book on Magic FM
Tell-all: On the series, the heiress declared, “It’s time people knew the real me, I’ve been underestimated and misunderstood for so long, I’ve created a character.”
The NUJ tweeted a video of Paris with striking workers and wrote: “Hi @parishilton we can send you a flag to help you show solidarity with striking journalists in their fight to save BBC local radio services.”
Susana Mendonca, a NUJ representative from BBC Radio London who campaigned against proposed cuts to local radio stations, described the moment as “the most surprising picket experience ever”.
“We were surprised that she exceeded our picket lines,” Ms Mendonca said.
“I think this is the most surprising picket experience I’ve ever had.
“We didn’t expect to see Paris Hilton but we wanted to see if we could get her support.”