Reality star Kathy Hilton will no longer serve as the West Hollywood Pride Parade’s Grand Marshal Icon, the city and Hilton announced in a joint statement Wednesday, following outrage from some LGBTQ+ community members.
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When the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum was announced as WeHo’s pick in late May, many online questioned the choice, citing her purported MAGA leanings. Hilton has not publicly endorsed President Donald Trump, whose policies have drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates.
Several critics online also referenced a 2022 rumor that Hilton said a homophobic slur to a DJ during the “RHOBH” group trip to Aspen, Colorado, an accusation that fellow Real Housewife Lisa Rinna brought up during a reunion episode that season. Hilton has denied the allegation.
“i’m curious why kathy hilton was chosen considering the last i heard about her she was attending trump’s parties & calling a dj” an antigay slur, YouTube star and LGBTQ activist Tyler Oakley wrote in a post on X, responding to the city’s announcement.
“I’ve lost complete faith in WeHo City Hall to oversee the parade or anything else related to Pride,” another X user wrote.
In a statement shared exclusively with NBC News, a representative for Hilton said the reality star has known the Trump family strictly via social circles since the early 2000s. “Hilton has not endorsed any political candidate since 2008 and does not align herself or is part of the MAGA movement,” the representative said.
The representative said Hilton attended a close friend’s memorial held at Mar-a-Lago and briefly visited the Trump National Golf Club on a day it was having a Super Bowl event — not as a show of support for any political party.
Less than a week after online backlash erupted, West Hollywood officials scrapped the Grand Marshal Icon honor for Sunday’s parade. The decision was made by the city, the WeHo Pride production team and Hilton herself, according to their news release.
“The City of West Hollywood has always believed that Pride belongs to the community,” the city wrote, adding that it’s “grateful for the respectful and sincere dialogue that has taken place.”
In the joint statement, Hilton said she respects “the thoughtful conversations that have taken place” and remains “deeply committed to supporting LGBTQ+ causes and visibility,” citing her “longstanding support of organizations such as the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation since its inception, Dr. Mathilde Krim, God’s Love We Deliver, and Project Angel Food.”
“This monumentally important event has always had a special place in my heart, and I will always cherish the experience I had acting as Grand Marshal of the LA Pride parade with my daughter in 2005,” she added. “Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make it happen, and I wish the community nothing but love, joy, and a fantastic WeHo Pride weekend.”
The city of West Hollywood declined to provide further comment.
