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Kathy Hilton has pulled out of being the Grand Marshal Icon for the 2026 WeHo Pride event in Los Angeles.
Hilton and the organization released a joint statement Wednesday confirming that she will no longer be a part of Sunday’s event after facing backlash over her alleged ties to President Donald Trump and an incident in which she purportedly said a homophobic slur.
“The City of West Hollywood has always believed that Pride belongs to the community. Since its earliest days, Pride has served as both a celebration and a platform for activism, visibility, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality, dignity, and justice for LGBTQ+ people,” the statement began.
“The announcement of Kathy Hilton as Grand Marshal Icon for the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade has generated a range of perspectives across our community. In recent days, community members have shared thoughtful feedback regarding the role and significance of Pride honorees.”
The organization said that it is “grateful for the respectful and sincere dialogue that has taken place” and that they want to ensure they are honoring “the history, values, and diverse voices of the LGBTQ+ community.”
“After thoughtful discussions, the City of West Hollywood, the WeHo Pride production team, and Kathy Hilton have determined that the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade will not designate a Grand Marshal Icon honoree.”
The “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star shared a separate statement in addition to WeHo Pride’s.
“I am honored to have been considered for this recognition and appreciative of the support I have received from members of the community throughout the years,” it read.
“My reason for wanting to be involved in this year’s WeHo Pride weekend was simple: to celebrate, support, and share in the joy of a community that means a great deal to so many people. Pride is, and always will be, about celebrating and uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, experiences, and achievements.”
Hilton said she “respect[s] the thoughtful conversations that have taken place and remain[s] deeply committed to supporting LGBTQ+ causes and visibility.” She also listed the many LGBTQ+ organizations and initiatives she actively participates in.
“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. 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,” she concluded.
Following Hilton’s announcement as the Grand Marshal Icon, many members of the community pointed out her associations to Trump. The Trump administration, notably, has enacted numerous policies limiting LGBTQ+ rights, focusing particularly on transgender individuals.
“Wtf she literally parties at mar-a-lago,” one critic wrote on Instagram. “MAGA Kathy Hilton?? Have you all lost your MIND??” another added.
“Apparently using gay slurs is all takes to become the grand marshal in the Weho pride parade,” one wrote.
Although Hilton has never revealed whether she voted for Trump, she has been pictured socializing with him on several occasions.
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In 2022, Hilton skipped filming the “RHOBH” Season 12 finale to attend Trump’s Super Bowl party at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Additionally, Hilton landed in hot water when her “RHOBH” co-star Erika Jayne accused her of calling a DJ an “old f–king f-g” during the ill-fated Aspen cast trip during Season 12.
Jayne made the accusation during the reunion — which aired in October 2022 — to which Hilton vehemently denied, saying she would “never, ever” use that language.
“Anybody that knows me knows I don’t talk like that,” the socialite added.
But that same month, a source close to the “Pretty Mess” singer exclusively told Page Six that Jayne felt compelled to call out Hilton for allegedly spewing a homophobic slur as the former is a fervent supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Erika cares deeply for the LGBTQIA+ community. They have been by her side since the very beginning of her career, even before ‘Housewives,’” the insider told us.
“She had no other choice but to say something and take a stand. She wanted to make a statement: No one on her cast is going to attack the LGBTQIA+ community and go unchecked.”
Bravo launched an investigation into the matter, which turned up inconclusive because “it was a case of she-said, she-said,” per network exec Andy Cohen.
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