Television personality Hilaria Baldwin, aged 41, has spoken out about the backlash she faced over her accent during the season premiere of her podcast "The Baldwins." The controversy first emerged in December 2020, when social media users accused Baldwin of fabricating her Spanish roots. Born as Hilary in Boston, Massachusetts, she spent her formative years traveling between Massachusetts and Spain, where her parents and sibling currently reside. The podcast airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.
Hilaria Baldwin addressed the controversy by discussing the concept of "code-switching," a term used to describe adopting one's accent or mannerisms to fit different social contexts. She explained how this experience has been a part of her life due to her multicultural upbringing.
"Growing up in a way where you have multiple cultural influences on you means that you're never going to be able to fit in. You can try,” Baldwin stated during the podcast episode.
Hilaria also shared a personal interaction with a 15-year-old sister of her daughter Carmen Gabriela's friend. She emphasized the importance of understanding communication and how it relates to adapting one's speech.
"They say that it's like communication, if you ever talk to a really old person who cannot hear, and I’m gonna emphasize, I'm gonna speak slower,” Baldwin remarked during the conversation.
Despite the backlash, Baldwin expressed how she has learned to cope with criticism over time.
"You never get used to people being mean, but you take a deep breath, and I think you learn to distance yourself from it,” she shared with listeners.
Baldwin further elaborated on how natural it feels for her to switch between languages and cultural expressions.
"I love English, I also love Spanish, and when I mix the two it doesn't make me inauthentic, and when I mix the two, that makes me normal,” she explained.
The controversy surrounding Baldwin's accent continues to draw attention as she navigates public perceptions and personal experiences. Her candid discussion on "The Baldwins" podcast offers insight into the complexities of cultural identity and public scrutiny.