Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton Wikimedia Commons

Paris Hilton has forcefully denied long-standing claims that Ghislaine Maxwell attempted to recruit her into Jeffrey Epstein's circle, but the resurfaced allegations have reignited scrutiny over Epstein's network and the powerful figures once in his orbit.

In a recent interview with The Sunday Times Magazine, Hilton, now 44, addressed a narrative first raised in the 2020 docuseries Surviving Jeffrey Epstein. The series featured testimony from Christopher Mason, a British journalist who was once close to Maxwell. Mason alleged that Maxwell spotted Hilton at a party when she was about 19 and remarked that she would be 'perfect' for Epstein, going so far as to request a friend make an introduction.

Hilton flatly rejects the story. 'I don't even remember ever meeting her,' she told The Sunday Times. She brushed off the claim as sensational: 'I'm such a good clickbait name.'

Maxwell's Alleged Intent: A Startling Accusation

The origins of the allegation trace back to Surviving Jeffrey Epstein, where Mason recounts that a friend at a social gathering told him about Maxwell's reaction. According to Mason, Maxwell stopped in her tracks, stared at Hilton, and said, 'Oh my god. Who is that?' The friend identified the woman as Paris Hilton, and Maxwell allegedly responded, 'God, she'd be perfect for Jeffrey. Could you introduce us?'

Mason went on to claim that Maxwell was known within her circle to be 'scouring New York' for younger women to 'go on dates' with Epstein.

Compounding the intrigue, a photograph from September 2000 shows a young Hilton, Maxwell, and Donald Trump together at the Anand Jon Fashion Show in New York City. Hilton was 19 at the time, aligning with the age described in Mason's account.

Hilton's Response — Deflection or Denial?

Hilton's response has been concise and pointed. While acknowledging the public's fascination with Epstein's scandal, she insists that she simply does not remember ever meeting Maxwell.

Her dismissal as clickbait suggests she believes her name is being dragged into the controversy due to her celebrity status rather than any substantive connection.

Crucially, Hilton has not provided any corroborating evidence, such as private communications or meetings, to support the notion that she was in Epstein's orbit. That gap in her defence leaves the claim hanging in public discourse with ambiguity.

Context: Epstein's Network and Maxwell's Role

Maxwell's role in Epstein's life is well documented. During her trial, she was convicted of recruiting, grooming, and transporting underage girls for Epstein, a role that prosecutors described as central to the operation.

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, the only former Epstein associate convicted in connection with his activities

In previously released interview transcripts, Maxwell admitted that she introduced young women to Epstein. She described searching for 'interesting' people at social gatherings to present to him, suggesting that her function extended beyond mere romance or friendship.

Court documents also show Maxwell was hiring women to work for Epstein, although she claimed in deposition that she recruited only adults, rejecting suggestions she deliberately sought underage girls.

The resurfacing of this claim comes amid a renewed push for transparency around Epstein's associates and their dealings. As Epstein's victims and campaigners demand the publication of 'client lists' and classified files, even peripheral names like Hilton's carry symbolic weight.

Whether or not Hilton's name is directly tied to Epstein's trafficking operation, the mere suggestion of a connection raises uncomfortable questions about the interplay between wealth, fame, and abuse. It underscores how those in Epstein's orbit ranged from the vulnerable to the powerful, painting a fuller, more disturbing picture of his social reach.