Hilaria Baldwin Faces renewed scrutiny over “fake” accent as DWTS spotlight persists

Hilaria Baldwin again found herself at the center of a public conversation about authenticity and performance after a recent interview in which she discussed her Dancing With The Stars journey and her family’s move to Los Angeles for filming. The moment touched off renewed attention to past accusations that she faked a Spanish accent, which resurfaced in social media commentary following the Good Morning America appearance.

During the GMA segment, Baldwin spoke with her dance partner Gleb Savchenko about how quickly the DWTS opportunity came together and how the family adapted to a new routine in Los Angeles. She recalled signing paperwork “between landing and getting my bags,” describing the whirlwind nature of the experience and noting that fans had urged her to join the show. Viewers quickly weighed in on her accent, with some observers again questioning its authenticity while others urged restraint in judging a public figure who has discussed a lifelong struggle with speech patterns. Baldwin has previously acknowledged the complexity behind her speech, framing it as part of a broader conversation about identity and performance that has followed her since the 2020 debate over her ancestral roots.

The interview also touched on the tangible aspects of her DWTS journey. Baldwin explained that her family’s relocation was motivated by practical considerations—keeping her seven children with her in Los Angeles while she pursued the competition and the program’s schedule. She described the logistics of balancing motherhood with the demands of a televised dance contest, a dynamic that has been a constant thread through her public narrative in recent years. In the same conversation, she described the experience as “an insane thing that I did,” adding that the response from fans and the show’s team shaped her perception of the opportunity as it unfolded. While she acknowledged the excitement, she also acknowledged the challenge of maintaining privacy and consistency under intense public scrutiny.

Earlier this year Baldwin opened up about the broader context of her speech in her memoir Manual Not Included. She suggested that fluctuations in her accent are linked to ADHD and dyslexia, saying her brain “just works differently.” She wrote that these diagnoses can influence speech, reading, listening, memory and self-confidence, framing the discussion as part of a larger self-understanding rather than a simple public-relations matter. She also described her approach to the DWTS stint as a family decision, noting that she would not have accepted the opportunity if her children could not accompany her to Los Angeles. She added that the kids have settled into their new routine and are thriving, with Baldwin describing their outlook as adventurous rather than disruptive.

The Baldwin family’s public footprint has grown more complex in parallel with the DWTS narrative. A recent New York Times feature offered readers a closer look at their Amagansett, New York home, highlighting the couple’s celebrity profile beyond the dance floor. Among the attention stirred by the Times piece was a controversial painting displayed in their living room—a lifelike scene depicting Baldwin bagging groceries while wearing sunglasses, created by Brendan O’Connell. The artwork, which some observers perceived as a sharp caricature, prompted a wave of online commentary about taste, tastefulness and the couple’s public persona. In response to the painting, Baldwin has publicly joked about feeling “extraordinarily embarrassed” by its presence in their home, and she described the piece as a reminder of how their lives are interpreted in the court of public opinion.

As Baldwin navigates a high-profile season on DWTS and a continuing media spotlight on her family’s decisions and aesthetics, observers watch for how she balances personal disclosure with performance pressures. The ongoing conversation about her accent is part of a broader, longstanding dialogue about public authenticity and performance in celebrity culture. For fans and critics alike, the question remains whether the discussion will shift from the mechanics of speech to the broader narratives that shape Baldwin’s public identity in the realm of culture and entertainment.