Highlights
- Kathy Hilton exits as 2026 WeHo Pride grand marshal after community backlash
- Controversy tied to Trump ties and a denied homophobic slur allegation
- No replacement grand marshal will be named for the 2026 pride parade
Kathy Hilton is out as Grand Marshal Icon of the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade, and the role will go unfilled.
Just four days before the annual celebration, Hilton and city officials announced she would no longer serve as the Grand Marshal Icon honoree for the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade. The decision was announced in a joint statement from the socialite, the City of West Hollywood, and the WeHo Pride production team.
The backlash stemmed from Hilton’s purported ties to President Donald Trump‘s MAGA movement, as well as a separate allegation from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills castmate Erika Jayne that Hilton used a homophobic slur on a cast trip to Colorado. Hilton denied using the slur.
The city had originally announced Hilton as the 2026 Grand Marshal Icon in May, praising her “commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, allyship in the entertainment industry, and unwavering support across pop culture.”
“The announcement of Kathy Hilton as Grand Marshal Icon for the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade has generated a range of perspectives across our community,” the statement read. “In recent days, community members have shared thoughtful feedback regarding the role and significance of Pride honorees.”
City officials acknowledged that the announcement prompted deeper discussions about the significance of Pride honorees and their role within the LGBTQ+ community.
“The City of West Hollywood has always believed that Pride belongs to the community,” the statement read. “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.”
Hilton, 67, addressed her exit directly, taking a measured tone.
“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,” Hilton said. “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, the socialite heiress turned reality star and mother to Paris and Nicky Hilton, sidestepped the specific controversies surrounding her selection in her portion of the statement.
“My support for the community and WeHo Pride is unwavering. This monumentally important event has always had a special place in my heart,” she added.
The joint statement did not reveal who specifically was leading the community pushback, nor whether any LGBTQ+ advocacy groups had applied pressure behind the scenes. It also remains unclear if any other scheduled celebrity guests or performers threatened to boycott the event prior to Hilton’s withdrawal.
Despite the withdrawal, the WeHo Pride weekend festivities will proceed as scheduled, beginning Friday night with the OUTLOUD music festival at West Hollywood Park and featuring a Saturday headline performance by the Pussycat Dolls. The parade itself will take place on Sunday.
The WeHo Pride Parade is set to take place along Santa Monica Boulevard, between Crescent Heights Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard, and will feature nearly 120 parade entries.
The original announcement had also named former Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies, along with the current Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders, as Trailblazer Icons for the parade. It is not yet clear whether that designation remains intact.
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