You never know what dark secrets are hidden behind a smile. A cordial phone call. A firm handshake. A promise that your loved one will receive the attention they need to thrive at a facility that assures the best care. An approachable looking exterior. A locked door.
Paris Hilton knows. The entertainment icon was sent to Provo Canyon School after sneaking out to party at clubs in her teens, and faced traumatizing abuse for 11 months, as detailed in her 2020 documentary, This Is Paris.
The dazzling entrepreneur has since made it her mission to end suffering for teens in similar situations. iHeartRadio partnered with Hilton to bring the world, Trapped In Treatment, a podcast that serves to expose secrets of abuse masked within the "troubled teen industry."
Per the podcast summary:
"Each season will focus on the story of one youth treatment facility, its survivors, and the traumatizing abuse at the hands of their captors. Trapped in Treatment weaves together personal accounts with historical detail and expert opinions to shine a light on what really happens at behavior modification centers and how this billion-dollar industry has flourished for so long."
The first season uncovered the harsh disciplinary horrors of Provo Canyon School, and the second investigated the "Worldwide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASP)."
In the latest episode titled "It Takes Every Voice," podcast hosts Caroline Cole and Rebecca Mellinger Grone speak to survivors Chelsea Filer, Chelsea Maldonando, and Katherine Kubler about their hopes for the future as the second season comes to a close. The finale also features words from Hilton herself.
For the full story check out Hilton's Trapped In Treatment podcast on iHeartRadio.