Paris Hilton has condemned the Provo Canyon School in Utah for having a toxic and abusive environment, which percolated into her life as an adult too.
Trigger Warning: Description of physical violence
When people face rough childhoods they might believe that they don't deserve love even as an adult. They might end up picking the wrong partner over and over again until they can break the cycle of abuse in their life. Reality TV star Paris Hilton, great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton, the founder of Hilton Hotels, is opening up about her struggles with an abusive childhood and toxic relationships later.
"I went through multiple abusive relationships," the entrepreneur and former reality star told People Magazine. "I was strangled, I was hit, I was grabbed aggressively. I put up with things no one should," she added.
Hilton is using her new documentary, This Is Paris, as catharsis by unloading the emotional and physical abuse she faced over the course of her life. The model had gone to the Provo Canyon boarding school in Utah, which is notorious for its abusive behavior towards teens with mental health issues. The celebrity entrepreneur believes that the school had a big role to play in her unhealthy relationships later in life.
"I had become so used to [abusive behavior] at Provo, that it made me feel like it was normal," said Hilton, 39. She revealed that all five of her ex-boyfriends abused her later in their relationship. "They all seemed like such nice guys and then the true colors would show," she said. "They'd get jealous, or defensive or try to control me. And there would come a point where they would become physically, verbally and emotionally abusive," the House of Wax actress added.
The 39-year-old feels "safe" with her current partner, Carter Reum, an author and entrepreneur. Until she met him, she "didn't really understand what love or relationships were." The actress said, "I thought that them getting so crazy meant that they were in love with me. Looking back, I can't believe I let people treat me like that."
The brave TV personality also opened up about the 2003 sex tape that was leaked. She said that she won't have made it if not for the trauma she suffered at Provo, according to Mirror UK. "I would never have let anyone into my life like [the man in the tape, whom she was dating at the time]. I met the worst person I could meet and if I hadn't gone to Provo, I wouldn't have entertained the thought of letting him into my life. Provo affected my future relationships," she said, as per People Magazine. Hilton was only 19 when the tape was leaked by her ex-boyfriend American poker player Rick Salomon.
Fortunately, she met someone who values her for who she is. She was first seen with Reum in January 2020 and they confirmed their relationship in April. Recently, she shared a sweet photo of themselves on social media wishing him on their anniversary.
"When we first met, I had no idea of the amazing journey I was about to embark on. My life was always empty, like I was missing something. But when I met you, I knew you were the one. You’ve filled my heart with so much love. I believe that everything happens for a reason because everything in my life, all the good and the bad, has led me right to you," she wrote.
Hilton continued, "You are my reason for me being so happy and feeling like the luckiest girl in the world! I love making you happy and promise to make you smile forever. Love so much handsome! Happy anniversary!"
Reum is a longtime family friend and is known for co-founding the liquor brand VEEV Spirits with his brother, Courtney Reum. They were listed in Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest-growing private companies in America, according to People Magazine.
Hilton believes that she wasn't "really ready for a good relationship" before meeting Reum. "But I've learned so much. And I'm so grateful to have found my perfect match," she added.
References:
https://people.com/tv/paris-hilton-opens-up-about-her-past-abusive-relationships/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/paris-hilton-says-strangled-hit-22620267
https://people.com/tv/paris-hilton-celebrates-anniversary-carter-reum/