Janet CollinsWhat’s the Something about Paris?
January 3rd 2009 04:51
Paris Hilton - Courtesy The Sydney Morning Herald
One thing that’s good about Paris Hilton in times of economic turmoil is that she spends and Australia should probably be grateful she is spending a whole week in the country.
Paris Hilton’s visit down under this week has included Melbourne Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Already she has been reported spending $5,560 in Melbourne in a whole 40 minutes, an episode which drew heated criticism from World Vision but much applause from our government for her economic support.
Sydney and Brisbane retailers have also been rubbing their hands at the visit of Paris Hilton hoping some of her spending will come their way. This time her entourage includes sister, Nicky, boyfriend, David Katzenberg and apparently now best friend, Brittany Flickinger and three rather large security guards.
The trouble is Paris Hilton also costs. What I gather is that people actually pay her money to “appear” at certain venues. Reports of her appearance money at the New Year’s Eve Party in Sydney’s Piano Bar ranged from $100,000 to $600,000. Great work if you can get it but that's it - I just don't get it. What is the "something" about Paris Hilton that commands such fees?
The visit this time had me thinking about just how long she has been able to manage the promotion of the brand, Paris Hilton. When she first came on the scene, or at least in my memory, I thought of Paris and Nicky as just another two overly-rich kids who strove for international attention or stardom or both and would do anything to get it. Persistence works it seems.
Nicky seems to have a much lower profile these days but Paris seems to have reporters and paparazzi follow her everywhere. Why? Can someone explain what the big deal about Paris Hilton actually is?
I used to think it was rather amusing. This rich heiress flying around the world with nothing better to do, getting into mischief and wearing glittery skimpy outfits and waving for the cameras was almost laughable, not the least because of the attention the media were willing to give her. Now, I think it has become rather pathetic.
What really astounds me is that Hilton actually does have a fan club. I always thought it was just the media that fawned over her. Fans of what, dare I say?
I know she has been in a few movies, none of which I have seen or intend to. I know she belongs to the Hilton family of Hilton Hotels’ fame and I think I remember her being in some sort of lurid video once that went over the internet.
Oh, and I remember when she was charged and convicted with drink-driving and sent to jail and this got top or thereabouts item in the news for the whole weekend. This just about did it for granddad Hilton who immediately pledged some $60m of his fortune to charity – not that it will leave Paris or sister Nicky on the streets.
Paris sent to jail - courtesy Sydney Morning Herald
If you think about her looks – they’re OK, I’ll give her that, even though I think there are plenty more attractive Aussie women around and ones who are far more deserving of attention. So what does that leave? What is her appeal?
Her arrival in Australia with the compulsory airport interview looked like some sort of media frenzy or even circus, Paris at all times pouting for the cameras. Another compulsory one for the Sydney stop had Paris a little more glammed up and pouting even more.
Commentary since her arrival include her 16 bags of luggage (not counting the two that went missing on the flight to Melbourne), her whirlwind spending spree in Melbourne, her missing a scheduled gig in Brisbane leaving fans bitterly disappointed while she continued shopping in a surf shop and even turning up late to visit sick kids at a Gold Coast Hospital.
Organisers of her visit were apparently still trying to secure appearance fees at various venues well after she landed here, some falling through to the bitter disappointment of some diehard fans.
It’s almost like a sideshow of a dog performing amazing tricks except, as far as I can see, Paris Hilton doesn’t do tricks.
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Comment by Paul
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Comment by Janet Collins
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It's a curious thing how all the people who can most afford to buy are given clothes and whatever else for nothing so that people who have much less will go and buy them - probably on credit.
Thanks for the visit.
Comment by Cheryl J
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I wish younger people would worship people that deserve it instead of celebrities. Sigh.
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Comment by Tracy
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The problem is that young girls seem to idolise her and she is no role model. Maybe it is just the blonde hair!
Take care!
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Nothing is so right.
Comment by Jason King
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Meanness aside - I do like a tall poppy, but from what I here, she is actually a nice girl to party with. Her managers and handlers are just bloody marketing and PR geniuses that must sit at home drinking KRUG GRANDE CUVEE ($3000- a bottle) each night laughing at how stupid the rest of the world is.
Good article
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M1 means I am a mentor of one person on Orble - I show mum how to use things. They can ask questions on how to use things etc. Whenever you sign up new people it will ask them if they want a mentor or something along those lines.
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