Paris Hilton, Bored Apes and the Making of a Hollywood Crypto CliqueParis Hilton, Bored Apes and the Making of a Hollywood Crypto CliqueArt by Mike Sullivan.
The Big Read

Paris Hilton, Bored Apes and the Making of a Hollywood Crypto Clique

A tight-knit network of celebrities, NFT studios, crypto exchanges, venture firms and talent agencies is rolling out the red carpet for stars to enter the crypto world.

By
Margaux MacColl

“Did you see our NFT stunt on Fallon that went viral this week?? Ha,” venture capitalist Carter Reum joked over email.

Reum was referring, of course, to his wife, Paris Hilton, and her Jan. 24 appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Perhaps you saw it. The “stunt” opened with Hilton, glittering in a lime-green minidress, playfully reminding Fallon that she was the one who introduced him to the world of non-fungible tokens. The host then pulled out pictures of their respective Bored Ape NFTs—Fallon’s worth about $215,000 and Hilton’s $300,000. “We’re part of the same community!” he said. “We’re both apes!”

To NFT devotees, it was publicity gold, with Hilton leveraging her celebrity bona fides to spread the gospel. “Bravo Paris for expanding our great community, once again,” tweeted anonymous crypto influencer Cozomo de’ Medici (who may or may not be Snoop Dogg). But to an army of detractors online, the interview had all the charm of a Rolex-measuring contest.