Paris Hilton on Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne, Lorde: ‘People Have a Bigger Sense of Music Now’

Paris Hilton is no dummy. Seeing the arrival of electronic dance music years ago while frequenting the globe’s hottest clubs, she learned how to DJ and is now segueing her skills to high-paying gigs in Ibiza (her residency at the island’s club Amnesia was just renewed for 2014 after selling out this summer) and a new album — her first with Cash Money, expected early next year.

With Lil Wayne guesting on the track “Good Time” (out on iTunes on Oct. 8), the celebutante-turned-business-mogul, whose global brand includes 50 Paris Hilton retail stores, 16 fragrances and the soon-to-open Paris resort in the Philippines, is taking an urban road well-mined by the likes of Miley Cyrus and newcomer Becky G.

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Indeed, Hilton, who’s no stranger to criticism, sees a compatriot in Cyrus and defends the pop star. “I love what Miley’s doing,” Hilton tells The Hollywood Reporter. “She’s unapologetic, she does what she wants and doesn’t care what anyone says.” Speaking of Cyrus’ single “We Can’t Stop,” produced by Mike Will Made It and featured on her new album, Bangerz, Hilton gives it her enthusiastic endorsement. “I think it’s really cool when people bring in a hip-hop element and mix it with pop,” says Hilton. “It makes for a great song.”

What bonded Hilton to Wayne, whose childhood in New Orleans was the polar opposite of hers in Beverly Hills? “He’s just a very nice, down-to-earth person,” says Hilton, who had the rapper perform at her 32nd birthday party held in her home earlier this year; Wayne’s set went for three hours. “He’s totally different than what you would think — very smart, interesting, sweet and big-hearted.”

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Where pop music is concerned, the unexpected is par for the course these days. To wit: The top tracks in the country, both by women and equally hooky — Lorde’s “Royals” and Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” — come from two divergent artists. Hilton says it’s precisely that diversity that keeps things interesting. “I think the Lorde song is really beautiful, EDM is so popular, Miley’s music is really fun. … People just have a bigger sense of music now.”

For more of THR’s inteview with Hilton, watch the video below.

Twitter: @shirleyhalperin