Hi, I’m Renée, and I’m a gender-affirming voice teacher. I've always been fascinated by how people use their voices to navigate different aspects of their lives. One of the most intriguing cases that you may already be familiar with is that of Paris Hilton.

The Evolution of Paris Hilton's Voice

Since 2011, Paris Hilton has been open about her “baby voice,” explaining that it was a character choice for her role on *The Simple Life*. After five years of embodying this persona, controlling her voice became a challenge, as she mentioned in an interview with ABC News.

Even 13 years later, the public remains captivated by her ability to switch between voices, as she discussed on the Call Her Daddy podcast.

As someone who helps trans people find comfort and safety in their speaking voices, I see Paris as a perfect example of how voice alteration is a normal part of the human experience. It’s my personal mission to normalize this practice and highlight its importance.

Paris Hilton: The Original Influencer

In the 2000s, Paris Hilton created an enormous brand centered around her it-girl persona. Through various interviews and clips, we can see how her baby voice served multiple purposes beyond her The Simple Life character.

1. Coping with Stress

Paris has shared that her experience in Provo Canyon School, a troubled teen facility, was traumatic, and imagining the person she wanted to become helped her cope. Her baby voice allowed her to create a version of herself free from that trauma.

2. Creating Boundaries

The baby voice became a part of her brand, helping her separate her work life from her personal life. Switching between voices created an embodied boundary between these spaces. Many people can relate to using different voices in different contexts, like a professional voice at work and a relaxed one at home.

3. Fawning

Paris now advocates for child survivors of violence in the “troubled teen” industry and has testified in front of the US Congress about her own abuse. Her work has evolved, and the baby voice no longer serves her as it once did. However, she still uses it to endear herself to others and appear approachable.

The Art of Voice Switching

In any interview with Paris today, you'll hear her weave seamlessly between different tones and colours in her voice. This is how we all express emotions, create meaning, and communicate shifts in tone. Yet, some people still comment that she’s finally speaking in her “normal” voice. If you spend more than a few seconds with any clip or delve into the archives, you'll see that voice switching has always been a part of her communication.

The Loving Use of the Baby Voice

And of course, one of the most endearing ways Paris uses her baby voice is with her own baby, London. This showcases the versatility and warmth that different vocal tones can convey.

Conclusion

Paris Hilton’s voice journey is a testament to the power of voice alteration as a tool for self-expression and boundary-setting. It’s a reminder that our voices are adaptable and can serve us in various aspects of our lives, from coping with stress to advocating for important causes. By normalizing voice switching, we embrace the full spectrum of human expression.

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