In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Hilaria Baldwin opens up about the intense scrutiny she faced over her accent, addressing the controversy head-on. The 41-year-old reflected on her upbringing and how having multiple cultural influences shaped her identity, making it challenging for her to fully fit in.
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During a candid conversation on The Baldwins, Hilaria shared her experience of code-switching, a practice where individuals adapt their accents or mannerisms to align with social expectations. She likened it to communicating with an elderly person by speaking slower, emphasizing that it’s a natural form of communication that she had to learn due to the backlash she encountered.
The mother of seven expressed that the backlash regarding her accent still stings, highlighting that being bilingual doesn’t make her inauthentic. Hilaria acknowledged the hurtful comments and negative attention she received, but she has learned to distance herself from the negativity and not take it personally.
The controversy surrounding Hilaria’s heritage erupted in 2020 when social media users questioned her Spanish roots, revealing that she was born in Boston, Massachusetts, with the birth name Hilary. Despite the backlash, she continued to embrace her heritage, asserting that mixing English and Spanish doesn’t detract from her authenticity but rather reflects her multifaceted identity.
On the season premiere of The Baldwins, Hilaria expressed her love for both English and Spanish, emphasising that blending the two languages is a natural part of her identity. She candidly shared the emotional toll the controversy took on her, acknowledging the dark moments it led her to, but found solace in the support of her family, friends, and community.
The ongoing journey of self-acceptance and embracing her mixed heritage has been a learning experience for Hilaria, who has come to terms with the fact that being human means embodying a blend of different cultures and languages. She continues to navigate the challenges of being in the public eye and the criticisms that come with it, striving to maintain her authenticity amidst the noise.
As the conversation surrounding her accent controversy unfolds, Hilaria Baldwin remains resilient and committed to staying true to herself. Her story serves as a reminder of the complexities of identity and the importance of celebrating diversity in all its forms. Join us in following her journey on The Baldwins, airing Sundays on TLC and available for streaming on Max.