After making no secret of her dream of becoming a mother, Paris Hilton surprised fans on Tuesday when she shared the news that she had welcomed a baby via surrogate. But even though this is the beginning of her parenthood journey, it seems her husband, Carter Reum, is not a rookie dad. The 41-year-old entrepreneur and venture capitalist already has a child, now 11 years old, from a previous relationship.
Carter became a father for the first time in 2011.
According to Page Six, the child's mom is former reality TV star Laura Bellizzi, who appeared on the VH-1 show Secrets of Aspen. She briefly dated Mel Gibson, so at the time, rumors circulated that it was the Braveheart actor's child, but his rep denied the speculation. Laura herself also refuted the rumors, telling TMZ in November 2011, "Mel Gibson is not the father of my child."
Paris' husband has only met his first child once.
A source told Page Six in 2021 that Carter signed a legal document acknowledging that he's the girl's father, despite never taking a paternity test. Since then, he has reportedly "only seen [his daughter] once since she was born," the insider claimed.
In response, a representative for Carter issued a statement clarifying the situation.
"The people who this story matters to have known about it for 10 years. Carter supports this child. While he does not have a traditional father-daughter relationship with her, he has provided for her since she was born, and will continue to do so," the rep said at the time.
Now that Carter's daughter is older, she is reportedly yearning for a connection with her dad.
The Page Six source said the girl was "triggered" by seeing press coverage of Carter and Paris' November 2021 wedding and felt "left out of her father's life." She also was upset by reports that Carter was trying to have a baby with his new wife.
"She saw the articles of Paris and Carter talking about starting a family. She felt tremendous rejection and felt left out, the source shared. "She wants to have a relationship with him."
The insider said Carter's daughter wants to 'complete the missing pieces of her puzzle.'
"She's at that age where self-identity is so important, and children want to know who they are and where they come from. It's important for him to help her with that," the person explained via Page Six.
"It's not about [Carter] or the mother. It's about making the child whole. She is absolutely an amazing little girl. She has so much love to give. And she wants to give it to him, his family, and whoever he chooses to love."
A second source added: She "wants her paternal family to hear her and know her. [Carter] may not claim or love her, but she claims and loves him and his family."
Perhaps Carter's experience with his new baby will bring about a change of heart regarding his firstborn child.
Paris and Carter are now proud parents to a son. Paris shared the big news on Instagram, including a sweet photo of her holding her newborn's tiny hand. "You are already loved beyond words," she gushed in her caption, adding a blue heart emoji.
As Carter immerses himself in caring for and doting on his tiny son, he may find himself feeling regret over missing out all these special moments in his daughter's life. Maybe this story will have a happy ending.
