Paris Hilton Celebrates The 10 Year Anniversary Of “Stars Are Blind”
Yesterday marked the 10 year anniversary of Paris Hilton’s legendary debut single “Stars Are Blind.” Released on June 5, 2006 at the height of her mid-’00s fame, the reggae-tinged, summery anthem defied all expectations by being very, very good. The DJ/heiress paid tribute to her biggest hit — it peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 — on Instagram last night by posting clips of the black-and-white video as well as a behind-the-scenes look at recording the song.
“‘Stars Are Blind’ was produced by [Sheppard] Solomon and Fernando Garibay,” Paris says in the vintage video. “Fernando really knows his beats. I really trusted him. He and Shep just wrote the song for me. They thought it would be the perfect summer song and I love it.” Interestingly, when I interviewed the producer last year, he revealed that the track was originally intended for a scrapped Gwen Stefani album.
'Stars Are Blind' is a pop classic.
— CHARLI XCX (@charli_xcx) May 23, 2013
“I was working with Jimmy Iovine and I was really trying to get a cut on Gwen Stefani’s album, so I was experimenting with reggae and ska,” the hitmaker recounts. “But then Jimmy called me and said she’s starting a family now, so never mind. Anyway, later on I got a phone call from Warner Bros and they told me they signed Paris and were looking for songs. I was like, ‘I already started a song idea, let me flush it out.'”
He then tailored the track for Paris. “At the time, she was at the height of her fame, and there was a lot of resentment. There’s fall out, because sometimes that lifestyle can come across the wrong way to the underprivileged and the disenfranchised. It’s understandable. I knew she was a really kind person. There’s a reality that people don’t see. I’m like, ‘I have to make her likable to everybody.'”
Stars Are Blind is a revolutionary single which redefined it's era. It changed music forever. Paris Hilton is a true visionary of her time
— JPP (@liquoronurlips) June 6, 2016
“I’ve got to show that a song can change perspectives,” Fernando continued. “A great song heals all. I also wanted to prove that she could sing. No auto tune was used in the making of that record. I had her sing the song every day for two months. Even if it was 10 minutes, 30 minutes she’d come in and do a line, or come in and do a verse. I had her doing different passes.” That dedication paid off. “Stars Are Blind” was not only a commercial success, but also unexpectedly influential.
Charli XCX memorably called it a “pop classic” on Instagram and named the heiress’ debut LP as a major influence on her new album. “I’ve been really inspired by Paris Hilton, small dogs and a glitter, luxe lifestyle,” the “Boom Clap” diva told The Mirror. “One of my favorite songs ever is ‘Stars Are Blind’ — it’s pop genius.” It’s hard to disagree with that assessment. See Paris’ throwback posts below.
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