Valentine’s Day is often touted as the most annoying time of the year to be single, but Christmas can definitely feel worse.

After all, 14 February is just a single day. Christmas, meanwhile, seems to kick off earlier and earlier each year (sometime around mid-October in 2016) and runs right on through to January.

With so much of the festivities orientated around family and relationships – there’s a reason it’s a prime time for pregnancy and engagement announcements – it can cause some misguided individuals to feel the need to comfort you about your single status.

Thankfully, however, none other than Paris Hilton has a response to all those sympathetic head tilts and invasive personal questions about your relationship status – and it’s perfect.

Read more: Single woman sends her own epic solo Christmas cards

When asked how she feels about all the impending festivities considering she split from Thomas Gross just a few months ago, Hilton replied: “I love being single.”

The 35-year-old went on to admit that this hasn’t always been the case, adding: “Before, I could never be alone. I always needed a boyfriend.

“Now, I feel so independent and I am so happy with myself.”

She finished by saying firmly: “I don't need anyone to validate my happiness.” Yep, that’s the line to use on Great Aunt You’re-Not-Getting-Any-Younger this Christmas.

via GIPHY

Hear hear.

Read more: Why I love being single at Christmas

Hilton may have risen up as a voice of confident independent women everywhere, but The Simple Life star made headlines for less popular reasons when, earlier this year, she admitted that she had voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

Speaking on Australia’s The Project TV, Hilton explained: “I’ve known him my entire life and he’s always been incredibly supportive of me.”

However, when quizzed about this during her interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Hilton declined to expand on her controversial voting choice any further.

Instead, she insisted that she is “all about girl power” and maintains America is heading in the right direction in terms of gender equality – despite the election of a misogynistic president, who has been slammed for his derogatory comments about women, not to mention his controversial campaign.

“Yes, it is a very male-dominated world,” she said, “but I think the millennials in this new generation are seeing that it doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman.

“Women have been using their voice to fight for their passions and that's something to be proud of. Whether it's for labour laws, fighting in the entertainment industry, or just standing up for women in general – I love it and I hope this shift keeps going.”

Images: Rex pictures