Remember Hilaria Baldwin's Spanish accent controversy? Yeah it's still a topic. Alec Baldwin's wife is now talking about it again on their reality show "The Baldwins". She's explaining why her accent seems to change and claims it's all down to 'code-switching'. Let's break down what she said and unpack this whole situation.
Hilaria Baldwin's 'Chameleon' Defense: Is It Code-Switching or Just 'Normal'?
On a recent episode of "The Baldwins" Hilaria got real about the accent accusations. She said growing up with different cultures made her feel like she never quite fit in. She used the word 'chameleon' saying people who 'code-switch' are good at adapting. She claims it's something she does naturally without even thinking.
Hilaria compared her accent changes to something relatable: talking to someone who is hard of hearing. She said you naturally speak slower and emphasize words without even realizing it. She claims her accent shifting is similar just an automatic response based on her surroundings.
She stated that she had to learn about 'code-switching' because "the whole world was mean to me". She feels the criticism was unfair and that mixing languages and accents is just part of who she is not something 'inauthentic'.
Flashback to the Accent Backlash: What Sparked the 'Spanish Heritage' Scandal?
Let's rewind a bit. The accent drama blew up back in 2020. Social media users started digging into Hilaria's background and things got messy. Turns out Hilaria was born Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas in Boston not Spain. Reports questioned her claims of being raised in Mallorca and moving to the US at 19.
Old interviews resurfaced showing her sometimes with a Spanish accent sometimes without. Former classmates came forward saying she grew up as a 'white girl from Cambridge' Massachusetts. Columnists even called her a 'scam artist'.
Hilaria did respond back then saying she was born in Boston but spent time in Spain growing up. She apologized for any confusion and said she should have been 'more clear'. She even mentioned that 'culture languages' and 'sexual orientations' can be 'fluid'.
'Never Get Used to People Being Mean': Hilaria on the Hurtful Backlash
Hilaria admitted that dealing with the public scrutiny has been tough. She said "You never get used to people being mean." She explained that she's learned to distance herself from negativity and 'turn down the volume' in her head to cope. Basically she tries not to take the criticism personally even though it is clearly affected her.
On "The Baldwins" she shared that the controversy did make her 'sad' and 'hurt' even putting her in 'dark places'. However she also emphasized that she feels 'normal' and 'authentic' even with the accent mixing. She credits her family and friends who are also multilingual for helping her feel understood and accepted.
'The Baldwins' Reality Show: A New Platform to Tell Her Story
It's interesting that Hilaria is addressing this again now on their family reality show "The Baldwins". The TLC show follows their life with Alec and their seven kids. This show gives Hilaria a platform to share her side of the story in her own words.
Whether people buy her 'code-switching' explanation or not it is clear Hilaria wants to move past this controversy. The reality show might be her way of controlling the narrative and showing the public who she really is or at least how she wants to be seen.
Key Facts About Hilaria Baldwin's Accent Controversy Response:
- Code-Switching Defense: Hilaria claims her accent changes are due to 'code-switching' because of her multicultural background.
- 'Chameleon' Analogy: She describes herself as a 'chameleon' naturally adapting her speech to different social situations.
- "Whole World Was Mean": She says the backlash was intensely negative and hurtful.
- Distancing Tactic: She's learned to 'distance herself' and 'turn down the volume' on criticism to cope.
- Reality Show Platform: She's addressing the issue again on "The Baldwins" TLC reality show.
- Reiterates Bilingualism: She defends mixing English and Spanish as 'normal' and 'authentic' for her.
- 2020 Scandal Recap: The controversy began in 2020 with questions about her Spanish heritage and background.