Paris the model
Growing up in Manhattan's ritzy
Waldorf-Astoria, the family's New York home, as well as
other Hilton digs in Beverly Hills and the Hamptons, Paris
didn't seem to yearn for much. Even after graduating from
high school, college didn't appeal to her. So, around
the year 2000, Paris decided to branch out and become
famous.
She began to make a name for herself
as a model, soon appearing in shows for designers such
as Marc Bouwer and Catherine Malandrino, and she later
completed an ad campaign for Iceberg, an Italian label.
In addition, Paris has posed for spreads in national magazines
such as GQ, Vanity Fair and FHM, and has also been profiled,
along with her sister, in People magazine.
Paris in the tabloids
At the same time, Paris became
the center of attention because of her relationships --
real or imagined by the paparazzi -- with some of Hollywood's
hottest young stars. In early 2000, Paris was spotted
around town with Leonardo DiCaprio. However, the press,
especially the National Enquirer, blew their casual friendship
far out of proportion. Nevertheless, she apparently dated
Terminator 2's Edward Furlong for a few months, and was
later seen out and about with boxer Oscar de la Hoya.
Paris has also been linked with actor and Tommy Hilfiger
model, Jason Shaw, Sum 41 lead singer Derek Whibley, and
Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys.
Paris, along with her younger sister
Nicky, also became notorious as socialites, gracing party
after party and getting bad press for their antics. For
example, Paris has grabbed headlines by shoving ahead
of others in a washroom line, then, when upbraided for
her rudeness, quipped that she only wanted to look at
herself in the mirror. She has also danced on top of bar
banquettes, gone topless for attention, and paraded around
in designer T-shirts with slogans like, "Got Blow?"
Yet Paris maintains that the bad press "sucks"
and that "people are mean."
Paris stars in the simple
life
Perhaps in an effort to clean up
her image, Paris has tried to make her mark by working
on more substantial projects. In 2001, she had a cameo
appearance in Ben Stiller's fashion spoof, Zoolander.
Other appearances include a role as a strung-out supermodel
in the film short QIK2JDG, The Hillz (co-starring boyfriend
Jason Shaw), Wonderland, and the big-screen adaptation
of the Dr. Seuss classic, The Cat in the Hat. She also
starred in the FOX reality show, The Simple Life, based
on Green Acres, and featured Paris Hilton living on a
farm. The show was such a success that there will likely
be a sequel.
On top of her burgeoning acting
career, Paris has designed a high-end collection of purses
for Tokyo label Samantha Thavasa, along with her sister
Nicky. Paris has also given back; she has done charity
work for Toys for Tots. Unfortunately, her attempts to
start a modeling company and a makeup line seem to have
fizzled.
Paris on video
