Kathy Hilton on Recording a Secret Album, Conversations With Nicki Minaj and Taking the Stage for a Musical New Campaign

Tim Chan
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Kathy Hilton has been many things to many people: sister, mother, business woman, philanthropist and television personality. But the Beverly Hills icon is adding “leading lady” to the list with the launch of a new campaign for Smirnoff Ice Smash Tea.

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Hilton takes center stage as the star of the ‘Smash Tea Partay: A Smirnoff Ice Musical.” A new campaign centered around Smirnoff’s new alcoholic iced tea, the spot features Hilton trading rehearsed reads for Hamilton-esque verses and dance moves, accompanied by a cast of Broadway-style performers.

Riffing off the infamous Boston Tea Party, the commercial helps to launch Smirnoff’s new “Smash Tea” in peach and lemon flavors. The punchline: “this is one tea you won’t want to spill.”

For Hilton, the mini musical was a chance to live out a childhood fantasy of singing and dancing on stage, while poking fun at her reality TV persona. “I just thought the whole idea of ‘sipping tea’ was iconic, and I love the idea of the musical aspect,” she says. “So it piqued my interest and I said, ‘Why not? ‘This could be a fun experience.”

Rolling Stone caught up with Hilton on a recent afternoon to chat about her musical aspirations, her famous friendships and why rehearsing for the commercial put the hard in hard iced tea.

This commercial was so fun to watch. What was it like to work on it?

Well I first went into the studio to sing, and I was just by myself. And after hearing the song twice, I couldn’t get it out of my head when I got home at night – I really liked it. Before we shot, we did a whole day, just to practice in rehearsals. And then it was two days of 10 to 12 hours on your feet, and you know, it’s pretty intense, so I got a good workout.

What was the most challenging part of the shoot?

I was very intimidated by the dancing part of it. I can dance if I’m invited to a party or I’m just dancing at home, but having to follow certain steps and having to step to this side or throw this arm up was different. But the actors and dancers were so sweet. They were like, ‘You’re doing really well,’ and that made me feel great and built my confidence.

We’ve all heard your daughter Paris sing, but did you ever have musical aspirations?

I actually was doing an album when when [my husband] Rick and I were together, right before I got married. It was middle-of-the-road pop.

Did that ever come out?

No it did not. But I’m sure you’ve seen me do karaoke (laughs)

What about dancing? Did you ever take dance lessons?

Oh yeah, when I was a little girl, I took ballet, modern jazz… and, you know, I loved all the Eighties and Nineties music so I grew up dancing all the time.

Would you consider yourself a big music fan?

I love music. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but music I love.

What kind of songs are on your playlist?

I actually like classical music. I like some jazz. It depends though — I’m a Pisces, so there’s the two fish. It depends on what I’m in the mood for. If I’m getting dressed and doing my makeup and just having fun and it’s the evening, I’ll go for pop. In the morning, I love having on just really mellow, beautiful, classical music. But I love jazz, some rock and roll, and believe it or not, I like some rap and hip-hop.

Speaking of rap, did you and Nicki Minaj ever end up connecting?

We’ve actually been texting about golfing.

Wait… golfing?

We have been chatting back and forth and so I wanted to see if she was interested in golfing. I jokingly said the other day that I want to rap with her, and you know, golfing and rapping go together right?

I’m loving this friendship between the two of you.

She always wants me to come on her [Instagram] Lives. But I would have a face mask on and my hair would be wet and wrapped in a towel. But we’ve talked abut it.

Aside from Nicki, who are some current artists that you really like?

Rihanna is so beautiful and magical. And Beyonce. I’ve met Beyonce just once, but it was at the beginning of her career and she was, you know, a little shyer. And it was just on a red carpet in London. But you know, they both have that star quality.

What about all-time favorite musicians?

Well I mean, he was a dear friend, but there will never ever be another Michael Jackson, ever, ever. If we went somewhere, or we were walking into some place, it was like, the seas parted. It’s an out of body experience that you just cannot imagine. That’s what I imagine it was like with the Beatles, but I was too young for that. But just looking at their pictures and comparing it to spending time with Michael, it was pretty crazy.

Have you seen MJ the Musical on Broadway?

I had asked Paris [Jackson] — we call her ‘P2’ — about it. And she said it was incredible. It would be weird for me to see it and I didn’t want to in the beginning, but Paris said the kids all went and loved it. And so I think the next time I’m in New York, I’m gonna definitely try to check that out.

I guess that’s a good segue back to the Smirnoff musical.

I was just happy to do something that was unusual like that. I love music and dancing, and I just thought, ‘How fun to do like a little mini off-Broadway,’ or whatever you want to call it.

You know, during the pandemic, it was so boring being at home every day, and not being able to see people. And that was one of the reasons I said yes to [Real Housewives of Beverly Hills], not only to spend time with my sister, Kyle, but with all the girls on the show. It was kind of an escape to able to go and do that.

People love you on Real Housewives and I think they’ll love this commercial too. But what are the things that Kathy Hilton love?

I would say my family and my friends. My idea of fun is having the whole family go on a trip, and we’re all under one roof. We’d go to Hawaii or out to our country house on Long Island. There’s not a better feeling than that.

For something different, I like to go to swap meets, I like going to antique shows, going to Disneyland; I have not made it there yet with my grandchildren, but that’ll be really fun to see it through their eyes. I like to get my glue gun out and do some crafting. Oh and I cannot forget, I like to play the slot machines.

Do you ever win money?

With our family being in the casino business for so long, we’ve always flown to Vegas for New Year’s, and one year, Nikki said, ‘Mom, you’ve got to try this slot machine.’ I did. And I won $100!

Do you stop while you’re ahead or do you keep playing?

I don’t like it when someone’s eyeing my machine, and you can feel them just lurking over you. So I will put in every last penny, like ‘No, no, I’m not leaving.’

But Rick is really disciplined like that. He’ll play a little bit of blackjack and if he wins a couple hundred dollars, he puts it in his pocket and says, ‘Okay honey, we’re going up to the room.’ And that’s the way to do it.

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