Hilaria Baldwin Discusses Backlash Over Accent Controversy

March 17, 2025: Hilaria Baldwin, author and wife of actor Alec Baldwin, recently opened up about the backlash she faced due to her accent, an issue that resurfaced in 2020 when people questioned the authenticity of her Spanish origins. Speaking candidly, she explained how she had to adapt her accent over the years as part of a process known as "code-switching" — the practice of changing one's accent or mannerisms to fit into different social situations.

Growing up in a multicultural environment, Hilaria revealed that it was natural for her to switch between different accents without even realizing it. “You can chameleon. You know, people who code-switch are very good at chameleoning... and you don’t even think you’re not even thinking about it. It’s just normal. It’s just natural,” she said, explaining how code-switching became second nature to her.

She likened this process to communicating with someone who is hard of hearing, explaining how one would instinctively slow down their speech without thinking about it. For Hilaria, adjusting her speech was just a way of fitting into different social environments, especially as a public figure. However, the scrutiny over her accent and heritage began in December 2020, when online discussions questioned her Spanish background, with people pointing out that she was born in Boston and her birth name was Hilary, not Hilaria.

The controversy sparked a debate about cultural identity, forcing Hilaria to clarify her roots. She posted a video to explain that she was born in Boston and spent time in Spain as a child, where her parents and sibling still live. “I’ve seen chatter online questioning my identity and culture. This is something I take very seriously,” she shared, addressing the accusations directly.

Throughout the ordeal, Hilaria reflected on the emotional toll of being in the public eye. She admitted that while she would never get used to the meanness that comes with being a public figure, she had learned to manage it. "You just try turning down the volume in my head a bit... and I'm not gonna take it personally," she explained.

Hilaria’s conversation about code-switching also touched on how navigating identity in the public eye can be challenging, particularly when you're constantly under scrutiny. Despite the backlash, she continues to embrace her diverse heritage while reflecting on the difficult lessons learned from the experience.