Everyone knows who Paris Hilton is. The heiress is one of the best known celebrities thanks to a TV show, an album and a few scandals. However, there was a time when Hilton was unknown. It was during this period the former reality TV show star was almost recruited by Jeffrey Epstein.
The revelation was made by British journalist Christopher Mason. In an episode for the new documentary series called "Surviving Jeffrey Epstein" Mason said he knew Ghislaine Maxwell - who is accused of being Epstein's chief recruiter for his sex trafficking operations. Mason said Maxwell was instantly drawn to the young Hilton and wanted to meet her.
"A friend of mine was at a party and Ghislaine said, 'Oh my god, who is that?' and was looking at this pretty, young teenage girl. She said, 'Do you know her?' " Mason said in the episode. "My friend said, 'Yeah, she's called Paris Hilton' and Ghislaine said, 'Ohhhh, she'd be perfect for Jeffrey. Can you introduce us?' "
Although Mason didn't say when the encounter occurred it is believed it took place around the time Hilton was starting out as a model. She signed with Donald Trump's modeling agency Trump Model Management in 2000.
It is unclear if Maxwell met Hilton after the encounter. However, the heiress went on to become a celebrity when her sex tape with Rick Salomon was leaked in 2003. Soon after, Hilton was given her own reality TV show "The Simple Life" which starred former friend Nicole Richie. Since then, she has released an album, a book and was once the highest-paid woman DJ.
Maxwell is been accused of being the chief recruiter for Epstein's sex trafficking operation. It is believed the two first started dating in the 1990s but Maxwell would later play a different role in Epstein's business. Mason said Maxwell introduced him to Prince Andrew, a known close friend of Epstein.
The documentary "Surviving Jeffrey Epstein" is on Lifetime each Sunday night.
