Ah, the mid-2000s. Flip phones, low-rise jeans, paparazzi chaos, it had everything going on. And it’s fair to say that nobody embodied the glittery excess of this era more than the iconic Paris Hilton.
Try thinking about 2006 without seeing Paris Hilton’s face, it’s impossible. If you turned on the TV or spent even a second on the internet, she was there. In a bizarre sort of way, she was the first influencer with a personal brand before we even knew what an influencer was.
It’s easy to forget, though, that amidst the whole Paris Hilton craze, when her reality TV show The Simple Life (2003) had everybody in a chokehold, Paris suddenly decided she wanted to attempt a pop career. And, ironically, it was nothing short of a hot mess.
Paris Hilton’s Failed Pop Career
During the early seasons of The Simple Life, audiences were introduced to Paris Hilton’s extravagant routines and unfiltered personality. Mixed in with the reality TV chaos were subtle signs of another ambition.
Every now and then, she’d mention her interest in singing. At first, it seemed like nothing more than a passing comment—but by 2004, it was clear she was trying to make something happen.
In private, Paris began taking vocal lessons that year. These weren’t just for musical development; they were also a way to deal with lingering insecurities around public performance.
Despite her public image, those close to her said she was more timid in the studio than most would expect.
She wasted little time jumping into recording sessions, working with some of the biggest names in pop production.
- Scott Storch and Dr. Luke, two producers dominating mainstream radio at the time, came on board early.
- The sessions were treated seriously by the team, even if Paris herself saw the project as more of a casual experiment than a mission.
Progress was slow. Throughout 2005, the album remained in production.
Her schedule outside the studio, paired with the need for continued coaching, delayed the process. There was also the challenge of figuring out what kind of sound actually worked for her. There were flirtations with reggae, dance-pop, even mid-2000s soft rock. The final version became a patchwork of all three.
Eventually, in 2006, the album—simply titled Paris—was released. The lead single, “Stars Are Blind,” became a surprise hit in some circles. Critics didn’t quite praise her vocals, but the track’s breezy production made it palatable. Chart performance was decent, and the album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200.
Still, momentum collapsed quickly.
- Follow-up singles failed to chart.
- She didn’t tour or do much live performing.
- Promotional appearances were inconsistent.
Paris herself seemed satisfied with the outcome, later calling the experience fun and hinting at how personal it felt—even if nobody else took it seriously.
The Release of Critical Flop “Paris” (2006)
After years of inconsistent studio sessions, vocal coaching, and style indecision, Paris Hilton’s debut album Paris finally hit shelves in August 2006. Considering the time and money poured into the project, expectations were relatively high.
At the peak of her fame, Hilton was one of the most photographed women in the world, and her influence in pop culture seemed unstoppable.
For a moment, it looked like she might pull off a crossover into music, much like Jennifer Lopez or Lindsay Lohan had attempted. In the beginning, Paris treated music as a side hustle.
That illusion didn’t last.
Critics were quick to dismiss the album. Reviews skewered everything from the thin vocals to the faceless production.
The songs themselves didn’t help either. Bland and formulaic, most of them sounded like demos left on the cutting room floor by other artists.
- Pitchfork’s review infamously called Paris a “vanity project” with “all the charm and personality of a greeting card.”
- Rolling Stone didn’t hold back either, questioning if Hilton had even heard half the tracks before approving them.
- Several outlets speculated that the album existed more to support Hilton’s personal branding than any real attempt at artistry.
Still, Paris wasn’t a total loss.
Its lead single, “Stars Are Blind,” turned out to be a surprisingly catchy summer track. Built on reggae-inspired pop production, the song was infectious enough to gain radio play and some international traction.
It peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it a modest hit and arguably the highlight of Hilton’s short-lived music run.
The song’s light, beachy energy gave it lasting appeal, and it remains a nostalgic favorite among Millennials, often resurfacing on TikTok or playlists centered on 2000s throwbacks.
A Lack of Promotion from Hilton Didn’t Help
Hilton’s detachment from the project became obvious almost immediately.
- She didn’t push the album on TV or radio.
- No major interview tour followed its release.
- She refused to do morning show performances, rarely performed live, and skipped major festivals or award shows.
What promotion did exist came in the form of low-effort stunts. She’d blast her songs while pulling up to clubs, hoping paparazzi caught the audio.
On occasion, she’d hand tracks to club DJs or mention the album during red carpet interviews—but that was it.
Insiders later revealed that Warner Bros. had been frustrated by her lack of commitment, believing that the album might have stood a better chance with a proper rollout.
Even when she did perform, turnout was sparse. The few live shows she attempted were mostly private or poorly attended industry events.
It felt like Hilton herself was only halfway invested in the project, as if putting out an album was just something to check off her celebrity bucket list.
Musical Comeback in 2013
Years passed with no sign of Hilton returning to music. But in 2013, she made an unexpected comeback attempt with the single “Good Time,” featuring Lil Wayne.
The collaboration felt strange and disjointed, more like a branding experiment than a serious release. Critics once again rolled their eyes, and the track failed to crack the Hot 100.
Despite that, she didn’t give up right away. Two more singles followed—“Come Alive” in 2014 and “High Off My Love” in 2015.
Neither gained traction. Their visuals leaned heavily on club culture aesthetics, but the songs themselves felt outdated even by the standards of early 2010s EDM.
To many observers, these efforts looked more like vanity releases meant to break up her business commitments and DJ gigs. There was no clear musical direction, no long-term plan, and little interest in building a real fanbase around her music.
Second Studio Album “Infinite Icon” (2024)
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Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, Paris Hilton’s fame started to pick up some serious momentum again. After largely fading into the background to focus on business ventures, she made a comeback as a DJ, released the highly successful “This is Paris” documentary, launched her “I Am Paris” podcast, and even released a New York Times best selling memoir. She also featured for WOW Vegas, the insanely popular sweepstakes casino, as a brand ambassador and celebrity face for their marketing campaigns, helping to boost her personal fortune even higher.
Naturally, this set the stage for her to let loose and release her second studio album: “Infinite Icon” (2024). After all, there was nothing to lose. And even though it was slightly more entertaining and well put together than her 2006 album, it wasn’t well-received by critics and only peaked at #38 on the US Billboard 200. This time, there was no hit single, either, but it at least gave Paris the chance to test the musical waters again following her mainstream resurgence. However, it sort of left people wondering what the actual point of it all was, with the general opinion being that Hilton should stay in her lane of DJing, something she’s much better at.
Is Paris Hilton Done with Music Now?
Infinite Icon will likely stand as the closing act of Paris Hilton’s short-lived pop career. The album didn’t shift public opinion or reintroduce her as a serious recording artist, and there’s little indication that a third studio release is on the horizon. Still, that doesn’t mean she’s stepping away from music entirely.
Hilton remains active behind the decks, regularly DJing at high-end events, fashion shows, and exclusive venues. This role suits her far better—her sets are well-received, her energy fits the scene, and she seems to genuinely enjoy the environment.
Occasionally, she’ll still drop a standalone single or lend her voice to someone else’s track. Over the last decade, she’s made sporadic features, keeping just enough presence in the music world to stay visible without overcommitting.
A full album comeback? Not impossible, but highly unlikely. Even the most loyal fans probably understand that Hilton’s focus is elsewhere now—and that’s probably for the best.
