Paris Hilton recently shared an emotional message following online criticism directed at her 8-month-old son, Phoenix Barron. The media personality and entrepreneur took to Instagram to address the situation, calling out the negativity and emphasizing the importance of kindness—especially when it involves children.
On October 19, Hilton, 42, posted a series of joyful photos of Phoenix during his first trip to New York City. What should have been a celebratory milestone for her young family quickly turned disheartening, as some social media users left unkind remarks about the child’s appearance. In response, Hilton reassured fans that her son is “perfectly healthy” and added lightheartedly that he “just has a large brain.”
In a follow-up message shared via her Instagram Story, Hilton expressed her feelings about the incident. “Living life in the spotlight, comments are inevitable,” she said. “But targeting my child—or anyone’s child—is simply unacceptable.”
Hilton, who welcomed Phoenix with her husband Carter Reum in January 2023 via surrogate, spoke candidly about the emotional impact of being a new mom in the public eye. “This breaks my heart more than words can express,” she wrote. “I’ve worked hard to create a space filled with love, respect, and acceptance. That’s all I ask in return.”
She further reflected on the challenges of parenting under scrutiny:
“If I don’t post my baby, people assume I’m hiding something. If I do, I open the door to unfair judgment. It’s a no-win situation sometimes.”
Despite the challenges, Hilton described motherhood as the greatest blessing in her life, calling Phoenix “adorable, healthy, and angelic.” She added, “I’ve dreamed of being a mom for as long as I can remember, and every day with him reminds me of what truly matters.”
Hilton concluded her message by urging for more compassion and empathy online. “It’s hard to understand how anyone could target such innocence,” she wrote. “I hope we can all be a little kinder—not just to me, but to everyone.”
Hilton and Reum, who married in 2021, announced the birth of Phoenix in January 2023 with a sweet photo showing Hilton holding his tiny hand, captioned: “You are already loved beyond words 💙.” Since then, she has spoken openly about how much her family’s support has meant to her. “My parents are absolutely obsessed with him,” she told PEOPLE, adding that she often turns to her mom Kathy Hilton and sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild for parenting advice.
As Hilton continues her journey through motherhood, she remains focused on raising her son in a loving and positive environment—and reminding others that kindness should always come first.
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Note: This story was originally published in October 2023 and is being republished for continued relevance.