Contestants for Paris Hiltons' New Best Friend seem more than a little strange

New York beatnik, Benjy, 21, whose trademark is a warm beanie with dangling ties, is the current leader of the online poll to find 20 new friends for Paris's new reality TV show.
It's a popularity contest where contestants are judged on their photos, blogs and video auditons.

Here's BenjyBenjy's video blog on the set topic of what he would do if the paparazzi were harassing Paris:




Week 6 Required Video - video powered by Metacafe

How could Paris hang with anyone who thinks that Britney is dead?

Just before noon on Saturday, Benjy had 399,654 votes. By 2.15pm, he had 399,779 votes - up 125.


Paris may have to tolerate him if he's the people's choice because, as executive producer of I Want to Be Paris's New Best Friend she couldn't risk overturning the will of the people, could she?




But here's what Benjy would want to do with his new best friend:




Week 5 Required Video - video powered by Metacafe

Bet Paris can't wait to sing Kung Fu Fighting and the theme of Good Times with Benjy.

This MTV show looks like being a reversioning of Big Brother - with Paris as a Big Sister training her pals in leading a celebrity life.

The qualities she'll be looking for over the course of 10 episodes are things such as loyalty, endurance, dependability and skills to navigate the Hollywood life. Benjy's one of 85,000 applicants.

Your Ad Here

Benjy's journey started in March when he promised Paris: "We will do lots of cool things together - like making fun of fat people and ugly people - but we will also make the world a better place - by doing good things."

Meanwhile, SouthernGal85 (whose real name is Tabitha), is a fairly large girl who's running second at the moment.

She's a fair way behind in the vote with 143,233 votes, compared to Benjy's almost 400,000, but she's running second.


When producers asked bloggers to talk about a truth this was her response:

"The truth is that I would like to see Paris Hilton hanging out with FAT girls. Not dogging them but being friends with them. I think that many overweight people get over-looked when it comes to life in general. We are sterotyped as lazy and unhealthy. I don't want to become famous and I don't expect to become famous I just think Paris Hilton needs someone that is REAL, down to earth, Open and HONEST to be best friends with.

"I like to go bowling, putt putt golf, go clubbing, play sports, look at stars, take meaningless walks ... So vote for the FAT girl for a change!!

Her pitch obviously works.

Again, Paris may have a lot of work on her hands.
Benji and Tabitha's votes keep climbing as the hours tick - while others score nil. Production starts in May and the show will go to air this year.
But Paris probably would like scuba diving with Texas Tabitha, 22, better than singing with Benjy:



Week 5 Required Video - video powered by Metacafe