Paris Hilton

Birthname: Paris Whitney Hilton
Date of birth: 1981-02-17
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
Height: 5' 8"
Nationality: American
Profession: Actor, Writer, Musician, Model

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Paris Whitney Hilton (born February 17, 1981) is an American socialite, singer, actress, fashion model, and author. She is an heiress to the Hilton Hotel fortune, as well as her father, Richard Hilton's, real estate fortune.
Hilton is a socialite in both Manhattan and Los Angeles and she has been described as a "celebutante", a portmanteau of "celebrity" and "debutante". She initially became well known due to her participation in the reality series, The Simple Life and 1 Night in Paris, an unauthorized sex video of her with her then-boyfriend Rick Salomon, which was leaked onto the Internet. She has since branched out into many careers, including the most recent, in August 2006, launching a serious bid at a music career, with her debut pop album Paris.

Family background

Hilton is the oldest of four children of Richard Hilton and Kathy Richards. Her younger sister is Nicky Hilton (named after paternal great-uncle, Conrad Nicholson Hilton II, 'Nicky'), and her younger brothers are Barron Hilton II (named after paternal grandfather Barron Hilton, and Conrad Hilton III (named after paternal great-grandfather Conrad Nicholson Hilton I).
On the maternal side of her family, Hilton is a niece of two popular child stars of the 1970s—Kim Richards and Kyle Richards, who appeared in the motion picture Escape to Witch Mountain and TV shows such as Nanny and the Professor, Little House on the Prairie, and later, ER. By marriage, she also is related to Zsa Zsa Gabor (the Hungarian-born actress married Paris Hilton's great-grandfather Conrad Hilton), as well as Elizabeth Taylor (the actress's first husband was Paris Hilton's great-uncle, Conrad Nicholson Hilton Jr.).
Her paternal grandparents are hotel chairman Barron Hilton and his wife, the former Marilyn Hawley, and her paternal great-grandparents were Hilton Hotel founder Conrad Hilton and his first wife, Mary Barron. When Conrad Hilton died in 1979, he left nothing in his will to his children or other descendants. Barron Hilton contested this decision and won in 1988.
Hilton moved between several exclusive homes in her youth, including a suite in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, Beverly Hills, and the Hamptons. Currently, her parents own a $30.5 million mansion in Bel Air, a $12.3 million estate in the Hamptons, and a $10 million house in the Hollywood Hills in which she and her sister stay to give them privacy and for easy access to clubs in Los Angeles. She attended her freshman year of high school in Rancho Mirage, California at the Marywood-Palm Valley School and her sophomore and junior years of high school at the Dwight School in New York, but dropped out and eventually earned a GED. Hilton did not attend college.
Hilton first came into the public eye as one of the more famous New York socialites and heirs. Along with her sister, she has made countless appearances in the party section of New York society magazines.

Media career

In recent years Hilton has gained recognition by appearing in television, movies, television commercials, and modeling photographs. According to Forbes, in 2003–2004 she earned approximately US $2 million for her television and movie roles, but in 2004–2005 her earnings from television, movies, modeling, and personal appearances have earned her an additional $6.5 million.

Fashion model

Hilton has signed with top modeling agencies: Ford Models Management in New York, Models 1 Agency in London, Nous Model Management in Los Angeles, and Premier Model Management in London. Hilton has walked for top fashion designers such as Philippe Treacy, Jasper Conran, Heatherette, and Julien MacDonald. She has appeared in numerous advertisements, including Iceberg, GUESS, Tommy Hilfiger, Christian Dior, and Marciano. She has been featured in several television commercials, including a T-Mobile commercial for which she was paid $250,000 and her Carl's Jr. commercial for which she was paid $400,000 according to Forbes Magazine.

Actress

Hilton and Nicole Richie (adopted daughter of Lionel) starred in the 2003 FOX hit reality series The Simple Life, in which they lived with a family on their farm in rural Altus, Arkansas. Highlights of the show included the girls performing poorly at various jobs, making out with the local boys, and numerous instances of them shown as "fish out of water". It was followed by two more seasons on FOX: The Simple Life 2: Road Trip and The Simple Life 3: Interns, and another on E!: The Simple Life 4: ' Til Death Do Us Part. A fifth season to be aired on E! is currently in development stages.
Hilton has appeared in the short subjects QIK2JDG and L.A. Knights, as well as minor and supporting roles in the feature movies House of Wax, The Hillz, Raising Helen, and Nine Lives. Hilton won the 2005 Teen Choice Awards for Choice Movie Scream Scene; And was nominated in the 2005 Teen Choice Awards for Choice Movie Breakout Performance by a female; and in the MTV Movie Awards 2006 for Best Frightened Performance. She landed her first lead roles in 2006 with the straight-to-DVD releases National Lampoon's Pledge This! and Bottom's Up with Jason Mewes. She also appeared in cameo roles in Zoolander (2001), The Cat in the Hat (2003), Wonderland (2003), and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004). Hilton also has several upcoming theatrical releases in which she is the lead role, including The Hottie and the Nottie (2008) and an untitled superhero movie involving Stan Lee.
Hilton also starred in the unauthorized sex video 1 Night in Paris (2004) produced by Red Light District where she received directorial credit. The film earned three AVN Awards in 2005. Hilton originally sued Salomon for releasing the tape. In July 2005 the suit was settled out of court. Rumors of Hilton receiving up to $400,000 and a percentage of the profits donated to charity were disputed by Hilton, when she told GQ magazine "I never received a dime from it. It's just dirty money and he should give it all to some charity for the sexually abused or something."
Plans for Hilton to lend her name and also star in a cartoon series which follows the animated life of herself, her sister Nicky, and her dog Tinkerbell are in production. Hilton has also guest starred in episodes of The OC, The George Lopez Show, Las Vegas, American Dreams and Veronica Mars. Hilton's voice was used in See Paris Die! a viral animation promoting House of Wax and appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, when she claimed to have trade marked the words "that's hot", thereby forbidding other persons to use them.
Hilton also appeared in several music videos, including by John Oates (of Hall & Oates fame), Just Lose It by Eminem and Caught Up In The Rapture by Won-G featuring Gizelle.

Recording artist

Hilton is the founder of Heiress Records, a sub-label of Warner Brothers Records, which she created in 2004. Though Heiress Records' only release as of yet has been Paris, Hilton has said that she plans to sign new artists in the future.
Hilton began work on an album in 2004. The album; Paris, was released on August 22 2006. Before release, Hilton hinted that her album would feature a number of genres, such as pop, reggae, and hip-hop. Producers for Paris include Greg Wells, Kara DioGuardi, Jane Wiedlin and Scott Storch. Hilton collaborated with Fat Joe and Jadakiss on the song "Fighting Over Me". The first single from Paris "Stars Are Blind", produced by Fernando Garibay, was released for download on June 20 2006 and was a success on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #18. "Turn It Up" and "Nothing in This World" followed "Stars Are Blind" as worldwide singles. Hilton is already planning and recording tracks for her second album, including a new song called "Daddy's Little Girl".
Some influential sources have bestowed the album with positive reviews. All Music Guide stated, "...it's more fun than anything released by Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson, and a lot fresher, too."
In August/September 2006, it was revealed that underground artists Banksy and Danger Mouse replaced 500 copies of Hilton's debut album in various UK record stores with their own parody remixes and cover art. Along with completely reworked liner notes that included topless photos of Ms. Hilton slathered with slogans like "Every CD you buy puts me even further out of your league", Danger Mouse has replaced Hilton's original songs with his own remixes and given them titles such as "Why am I Famous?", "What Have I Done?" and "What Am I For?" Banksy has doctored pictures of her on the CD sleeve to show Hilton topless and with a dog's head.

Other activities

In the fall of 2004, Hilton released a book, Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose co-written by Merle Ginsberg, which has full color photographs of her and gives her tips on the do's and don'ts of living as an heiress. Hilton was reportedly given $100,000 in advanced payment for this book. Some in the media panned the writing as amateurish, and the book was parodied by Robert Mundell on The Late Show with David Letterman. Nonetheless, the book became a New York Times bestseller. Hilton followed it up with a designer-diary, also with Ginsberg—Your Heiress Diary: Confess It All To Me. Aimed at her young fans, it contained pages encouraging fans to write about their goals, their friends and family, boys, celebrities they admire, etc. Hilton plans to release another book in 2007.
Hilton has helped design a collection of purses for Tokyo label Samantha Thavasa and has also been involved in the design of a jewelry line, The Paris Hilton Collection, for Amazon.com. Hilton launched the Paris Hilton Limited Edition Watch Collection brand during a news conference at the Tourneau store in New York November 30, 2005. Hilton's 18kt white gold and diamond encrusted watches that she helped design start at $100,000. Hilton also has plans to launch a fashion line.
Hilton began her own chain of nightclubs known as Club Paris in 2005. The first of which in Orlando, Florida has been a major success. The second located in Jacksonville, Florida opened July 1, 2006. Hilton is in talks to develop further clubs in Las Vegas, New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Cancun, Mexico. She also hopes to take the clubs to overseas markets and to expand the clubs to become five-star hotels featuring accommodation and casinos.
Gameloft, a developer and publisher of mobile games, previewed a Paris Hilton-branded mobile game called Paris Hilton's Diamond Quest at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). As of May 26, 2006, Gameloft's press release states that "...the company decided on a title to reflect the fresh, dynamic and sexy appeal of the heiress extraordinaire."
In early May of 2004, Hilton was involved in the creation of a fragrance line by Parlux Fragrances. The perfume would be aptly named Paris Hilton. Hilton said, "It's really hot. I mixed all these scents together...it smells so good" . The perfume launch was a success. Originally set to be a small release, demand was high and necessitated a wider release before Christmas of 2004. The launch was followed by a 47% increase in sales for Parlux, which was predominantly due to sales of the Hilton-branded perfume. After the success of Hilton's perfume, Parlux Fragrances released Paris Hilton for Men, a cologne for Hilton's male admirers, as well as another fragrance called Just Me by Paris Hilton, which is available for both women and men. Another perfume titled Heiress by Paris Hilton was released in October 2006. A counterpart for men, Heir by Paris Hilton, is also due by the end of the year, along with a new line of color cosmetics.
In November 2004, Hilton participated in Sean "Diddy" Combs' Citizen Change campaign to encourage youths to vote in the presidential election. She drew criticism after it was revealed she had neither voted, nor even registered to do so .

Personal life

Hilton has been widely discussed by tabloids. In 2000, the National Enquirer reported a casual friendship with Leonardo DiCaprio as something far more intimate. She has also been linked to other celebrities, including professional skateboarder Chad Muska, filmmaker Vincent Gallo, actor Edward Furlong, boxer Oscar de la Hoya, Chicago Bears football player Brian Urlacher, singers Deryck Whibley and Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, former University of Southern California and current Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, UK rap artist Joe Buckton, Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis, Australian Idol contestant Robert 'Millsy' Mills, oil heir Brandon Davis, fashion model Lucas Bain, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, NHL Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jose Theodore, England cricketer Kevin Pietersen and ex-MTV VJ Simon Rex.
Hilton was engaged to male fashion model Jason Shaw from mid-2002 to early 2003. On May 29, 2005, she announced her engagement to Paris Latsis, a Greek shipping heir. However, on October 1, 2005, Hilton announced that the five-month engagement had been called off. Soon thereafter, she began dating another Greek shipping heir, Stavros Niarchos III, but as of May 2, 2006, Hilton publicist Elliot Mintz told the press of the reported breakup.
On July 11, 2006, in an attempt to "rediscover herself", Hilton imposed a ban on sexual activity for one year. She told Regis and Kelly, "I'm doing it just because I want to. I feel I'm becoming stronger as a person. Every time I have a boyfriend, I'm just so romantic, and I'll put all my energy into the guy, and I don't really pay attention to myself. One-night stands are not for me. I think it's gross when you just give it up. Guys want you more if you don't just hand it to them on a platter. If they want you, then they will wait. You have to make them work for it. I think that's the only way you know if they really want you or just want to be able to brag that they've been with you." Despite her comments of a single life, Hilton was photographed kissing Brandon Davis on July 16, 2006 in West Hollywood. Hilton was also photographed making out with Stavros Niarchos III in Saint-Tropez on July 30, 2006. On July 31, 2006, she told People that she and Stavros are together again. The couple split in May after seven months of dating. "We're together now here. We love each other," Hilton says.
On 20 April 2005, amid media reports that their friendship was in trouble, Paris Hilton released a statement saying "It's no big secret that Nicole and I are no longer friends," and "Nicole knows what she did, and that's all I'm ever going to say about it." In 2006, Hilton told HX Magazine the reasons for her split with ex-best friend Nicole Richie. She claims that she and Nicole, "grew apart because of fame."
As of October 9, 2006, reports claim to indicate that the 18 month feud between Hilton and her ex-best friend Nicole Richie is over. They rekindled their friendship with a meal, sleepover, and photographs. After the meal was done, Hilton and Richie reportedly said "We're back", to the excited paparazzi. She said she was delighted to resume their old friendship, and it is believed that their mutual disagreements regarding the new season of The Simple Life helped bring the two friends back together.
On September 7, 2006 Hilton was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence, even though she claimed that she had just one margarita, and the high alcohol content in her blood was a result of having no time to eat during a long day while making a music video. Hilton was arrested shortly before 12:30 a.m. in Hollywood. "The officers observed that Hilton exhibited the symptoms of intoxication. A field sobriety test was conducted at scene, and the officers determined she was driving under the influence," Officer Isabella. Hilton's blood alcohol content was .08, California's limit. Hilton was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI and released almost immediately due to the flood of photographers outside. She stated she was speeding to get food at the In-N-Out Burger restaurant. Video of the arrest and subsequent departure from police custody available at .

Media spotlight

In the March 2005 issue of Playboy, she was named the "Sex Star of the Year" in their list of the 25 Sexiest Celebrities. Someone appearing to be her, allegedly a look-a-like and not Hilton herself, was on the cover of the issue. Hilton's spokeswoman said she did not know where the picture came from. On March 8, 2006, Brian Quintana, an event producer, was granted a three-year restraining order against Hilton after he testified that she harassed and threatened him. Quintana claimed their relationship soured after he urged Stavros Niarchos III to reconsider dating Hilton. In May of 2006, Maxim magazine ranked Hilton #38 on its annual Hot 100 list.
In an interview with TMZ.com's Harvey Levin, Hilton read thousands of comments by TMZ users. The comments were, for the most part, negative and focused on her public image as a partying rich girl. Hilton referred to the comments as "mean and sadistic". The comments included, "Paris is just an oversized human condom", "Paris is like a fart in a mitten. You know it's there, you can't stand it, but you can't get rid of it", and "Would you please drop over dead or commit suicide you damn slut." Hilton defended herself by noting that she is "far less promiscuous than any of her friends". Hilton also commented on her famous sex tape, saying that she is "judged because of something that an ex-boyfriend did" and that she is "not a slut at all". Hilton said some of the comments made her cry. "They think I don't have any feelings."
In 2006, Hilton told news media that she practiced sexual abstinence. In fact, she told news media that "people think I sleep with everyone, but I'm not like that". The hotel heiress revealed her vow of sexual abstinence as one of the most exciting things she has ever strived for, "I like the way guys go crazy when they can't have sex with you. If he can't have you, he stays interested. The moment he has you, he's gone." Ms. Hilton told media she had various boyfriends because, "guys are like, 'Hey, what's going on? It's been like four months and I'm only getting a kiss here.'"
While Hilton has been quoted as saying that she is the iconic blonde of the decade and comparing herself to Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe, she will reportedly appear in the 2007 Guinness World Records as the world's "Most Overrated Celebrity". On August 29, 2006, the mayor of Las Vegas proclaimed the day, "Paris Hilton Day" and gave Hilton a key to the city. Hilton says Vegas is her "favorite place in the world to come to party."