Paris Hilton is the Hollywood socialite who always winds up on the press. Her exploits have made her famous in the tabloids and on TV. Her appearances on The Simple Life with Nicole Richie and another show where she searched for a BFF left many viewers entertained and curious to know morealthough it also left her a lightning rod for controversy among those who wondered what constitutes a "celebrity" nowadays.
The World According to Paris is her new endeavorfull of paparazzi, pets and popularity.
Windy City Times: Hi, Paris. Tell our readers about your new show and why you came back to reality television.
Paris Hilton: The World According to Paris is a look at everything I go through from the moment I wake up until I go to bed at night, every single day. And I really wanted to do a show to show who I really am because I feel like on the Simple Life and My BFF show I was playing a character and something I was doing for fun, but this is something that I'm really excited for all my fans to see.
Windy City Times: Is it therapeutic for you to make a show like this?
Paris Hilton: Well, I think I just learn that in everyday life. It was a good chance for me just to show who I am and that I'm a human and I go through the same things that everyone does. So I think when people watch it they maybe won't see me as such a cartoon character any more. They'll see me as a real person.
Windy City Times: Is it hard to open yourself up to cameras this way?
Paris Hilton: I never thought I would cry on TV. I think I just always wanted everything to be perfect and that's not how life is. In life, people go through things and people get upset and things happen. And I wanted the fans to see everything as real as possible and what's really going on. So even though it's embarrassing for people to watch me cry it's what really happens.
Windy City Times: Do you regret doing the Simple Life?
Paris Hilton: The reason I did it was that it was the beginning of reality television and I don't think there was any other reality shows on TV at this point. So I had never been on camera before. I had never done a reality show. I was really new to it. And the producers told Nicole just to be a troublemaker and have fun and kind of play that character.
And then they wanted me to play something like Clueless meets Green Acres, like, the dumb blonde character. I didn't realize this show would go on for so many seasons. So I had to continue doing that character every season. Also, I think I was very shy and it was kind of easier to hide behind that character.
Now when I think about it, it was so long ago and the show was such a huge success and really it was entertaining so I don't regret it because I think people really enjoyed that character. But now I'm an adult and I'm ready to show who I really am, I've been through a lot in life. I'm not afraid to show who I am and to be honest.
Windy City Times: Would you ever do other reality shows like Dancing with the Stars or Celebrity Apprentice?
Paris Hilton: Yes, I've been approached every season by both of those shows but I would never do them.
Windy City Times: Why not?
Paris Hilton: I wouldn't; I like doing my own show. I wouldn't want to be with a bunch of other people on a show who I don't know. Some of the people on those shows I really wouldn't want to be associated with. But, I love Donald Trump. He's been a great family friend of mine for a long time so I love his show. But the Dancing show I wouldn't ever do.
Windy City Times: On the first episode of the new series the paparazzi are chasing you everywhere. How do you deal with that every day?
Paris Hilton: It's just something I've learned to get used to. It's been going on for so long. It's just a regular part of my life. I just try not to pay attention because they're going to be there. And rather than making myself go crazy and being annoyed about it I just say that it's normal and I'm used to it.
I think the only hard part is when there's so many of them, sometimes there could be, like, 30 or 40 of them and they're all chasing me in their cars and they're all trying to get through the red light and make sure they don't lose me. So it gets a little dangerous when everybody's trying to get behind me and it gets a little scary being in a car with them around.
Windy City Times: What was it like having your mother on this show?
Paris Hilton: Oh, I was so excited to have my mom as part of the show. She's such a character. It's so funny and always makes me laugh. So I just had to have her on the show. Plus, it's my whole life and my mom and I are really close and she's a big part of my life. So of course, she's going to be there with me on it.
Windy City Times: What did you do for Mother's Day?
Paris Hilton: For Mother's day, we all went to the house and then the whole family went to Boa for dinner and just spent time with my mom.
Windy City Times: How do you feel about Perez Hilton using your name?
Paris Hilton: I am flattered.
Windy City Times: Are you planning on releasing any more music?
Paris Hilton: Yes, I have a recording studio at my house so any time I have free time I'm always in the studio writing and working. So I've been working on this album a really long time because I want it to be perfect and I recently changed the direction of the album.
It was more pop before but now I'm getting rid of a lot of songs and I'm going into a different direction, just house music so it's going to be a lot more dance and club but it should be out really soon.
Windy City Times: What is the biggest misconception about you and your family?
Paris Hilton: I think just because of the Hilton last name people assume that I'm a spoiled brat who doesn't have to work or do anything for herself but, really, it's the opposite. I've been working since I was 17 and I've created a huge empire now. I have 17 different product lines and I'm working every single day, traveling the world. So I think people, just because I was a party girl before when I started out, they assume that's how I really am still. But when I'm at parties now it's for work. I'm either being paid to be there or I'm promoting a product or a different project I'm working on. I think that is one of the biggest misconceptions.
Windy City Times: Are there any plans of you settling down and having children?
Paris Hilton: I would love to one day. Right now I'm just so busy with work and traveling but one day I would love that.
Windy City Times: What upcoming projects are you working on?
Paris Hilton: Finishing the album. I'm writing another book. I have my newest clothing line coming out and sunglasses. I'm working on my new skin care line that should be out soon and makeup. And what else? I'm also doing some different projects overseas, opening my own beach clubs and next I'm going to be opening my own hotels.
Windy City Times: With all that work what do you do to relax?
Paris Hilton: I love to get massages. It's like when I relax. I try to do that at least once a week. And also I just love being in my backyard with all my pets and just playing with my puppies and all my animals and that really relaxes me. I just love being around animals, just make me really happy.
The World According to Paris is on the Oxygen network, airing on Wednesdays. Paris' beauty secrets and more are at www.oxygen.com .