Dakota Fanning Says She and Sister Elle 'Would Have Died' If They Knew as Kids They'd Befriend Paris Hilton

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Elle Fanning and Dakota Fanning; Paris Hilton.Photo:Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty

Dakota Fanningfilmed her latest series,Ripley, in Italy, and her next project will take her to Paris.

“It’s early days,” Fanning toldLaverne CoxonE! Live from the Red Carpetahead of the 2024Emmy Awardson Sunday, Sept. 15. “We’re in development with it. But we have gotten to know Paris and become friends with her and are going to be a part of telling her story.”

Hilton’s 2023 memoir details what it feels like living with ADHD and PTSD from the abuse she experienced in boarding school, as well as navigating fame and dating in the spotlight.

“I think if you told as little girls that we would be friends with Paris Hilton and like, go to her house and see her little dogs and become friends with her and also know the real, the real her, we would have died,” Fanning, who received her first Emmy nomination forRipley, said. “So, we’re having pinch-me moments all the time. It’s really a dream come true.”

Sisters Paris (left) and Nicky Hilton at the Zimmermann Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 2, 2023 in Paris.Pierre Suu/Getty

Pierre Suu/Getty

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

ThePerfect Coupleactress also told Cox, 52, what she would tell her younger self.

“I think just to keep going and to keep loving it as much as you do,” Fanning said. “When you start out when you’re young, you bring a real sense of play. That’s really what acting is is you’re using your imagination, you’re playing. And so, I think because I started at 6 years old, I’ve been able to maintain, or I try to maintain that kind of, like, childlike joy. I would advise to keep that going. I think I’m doing a good job.”

Andrew Scott and Dakota Fanning at the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s ‘Ripley’ at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on April 3, 2024 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison/Getty

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Scott, 47, also earned an Emmy nomination for his role, and Ripley earned a total of 13 Emmy nominations this year.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

SeePEOPLE’s full coverageof the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards as they’re broadcasting live on ABC from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

source: people.com