Perez Hilton has defended Kim Kardashian as she prepares to testify in court against the ‘Grandpa Gang’ who are accused of robbing her at gunpoint in Paris back in 2016.
Appearing on The Project on Tuesday night, the outspoken media personality revisited the shocking heist that saw the reality star tied up, gagged, and left fearing for her life inside a private luxury residence during Paris Fashion Week.
The armed robbery, which stunned the world, saw five masked men storm the premises and steal over $15 million worth of jewellery – including Kim’s $4 million, 20-carat engagement ring from then-husband Kanye West.
Now, nearly a decade later, ten elderly suspects – most in their 60s and 70s – are facing trial in Paris.
Among them is Yunice Abbas, one of two men who have confessed to the crime and who has since released a book titled, I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian.
Despite wild conspiracy theories at the time, including speculation the robbery may have been staged for reality TV, Perez shot down those claims on air.
Perez Hilton (pictured) has defended Kim Kardashian as she prepares to testify in court against the ‘Grandpa Gang’ who allegedly robbed her at gunpoint in Paris back in 2016
Appearing on The Project on Tuesday night, the outspoken media personality revisited the shocking heist that saw the reality star tied up, gagged, and left fearing for her life inside a private luxury residence during Paris Fashion Week. (Perez pictured with Kim in 2012)
‘Kim is a very polarising person, I know that. But knowing her, I know she would not have made up something like this,’ he said.
‘There were multiple lapses in safety. She feared for her life, and said that on the Kardashian show. Thankfully nine years later, hopefully justice is going to be served.’
Kim is expected to return to France next month to give evidence during the three-week trial.
Her presence in court will mark a significant moment in the case, especially after years of silence from the star following the incident.
Hilton recalled the cultural impact the robbery had at the time, saying, ‘It all seemed so improbable. She had security. She was in a hotel. For this to happen was just crazy.’
He also reflected on how the traumatic ordeal changed Kim personally.
‘It affected her so much that she took a nearly three-month break from social media – that’s like three years for Kim Kardashian,’ he said, adding that she ‘wanted to be less materialistic and show off less.’
But he cheekily added that while she may have pulled back on jewellery, Kim had simply ‘channelled that materialism to now her private plane, which costs a lot more than $10 million.’
Despite wild conspiracy theories at the time, including speculation the robbery may have been staged for reality TV, Perez shot down those claims on air
‘Kim is a very polarising person, I know that. But knowing her, I know she would not have made up something like this,’ he said
When asked about the public’s continued fascination with the case, Hilton noted the bizarre timing.
‘I think the trial is already big, to my surprise, because it happened so long ago. But there’s a lot of heavy things happening in the world, especially in the US.
This is something that will last just a few weeks and is a distraction from our real-life problems.’
Kim has previously said the incident left her with PTSD and made her reevaluate her approach to fame and personal security
At the time, she admitted she believed she was going to be raped and murdered, saying, ‘He grabbed me and pulled me towards him. I thought, “This is it.”‘
The majority of the stolen items, including the massive diamond ring, have never been recovered.
