Interview with Paris Hilton

America's favorite party girl certainly knows how to grab people's attention. Now, after a stint behind bars and several straight-to-DVD movie roles, Paris Hilton has pulled yet another series of surprises. She's gone corporate, kids, with more business ventures than even her staunchest fans would've thought she could handle. Shaking the party girl image could have been tough for someone on record as the highest paid party host in history, but Hilton milked it and even purchased her own billboard to market herself on L A's Sunset Boulevard. The recipient of this year's Harvard Lampoon's "Woman of the Year" award and MTV 's Style Gala Award for "Female Fashion Icon of the Year," the heiress is set tovhave her biggest year ever. From product manufacturing and endorsements to getting behind the camera as a producer, the scene queen gets serious with 944 about her life, career and relationships.

944: Tell us about your business ventures for 2008.
PARIS HILTON: [smiles] Where do I start?

How about with the films you have coming out this year?
My movie The Hottie and the Nottie comes out February 8. It's a romantic comedy that's very fun and sweet. My second film is a musical called Repo! The Genetic Opera, which comes out in May. Repo! was fun because it's directed by Saw II's Darren Lynn Bousman, and it's scary. If I could describe it, I'd say it's like The Rocky Horror Picture Show meets Blade Runner meets Saw. I play Amber Sweet, a girl obsessed with plastic surgery, so in every scene I have a new nose, new eyes, etc. It will be interesting for people to see me look so different.

What television projects do you have in the works?
I'm developing an animated series with Stan Lee and MTV called Super Chick, where I get to be a super hero.

Will you be starring in another reality show?
I'm developing another one right now! But I'm also looking for shows to produce. I've been in front of the camera for so many years, so I think it would be interesting to be on the other side for a change, making creative decisions and putting a show together.

Speaking of being creative, aren't you launching your clothing line this year?
I actually have two: one international line and one for the U.S. and Canada. It's currently being sold across the nation in Macy's stores and Nordstrom, also Fred Segal, Kitson and a few others, I think. I'm also launching a shoe line this month on the same day my first movie comes out. That's my problem - sometimes I have to be in two places at once.

How many products are you currently endorsing?
Let's see. I have Dream Catchers, which are my hair extensions, a high-end beverage called Rich Prosecco, my new fragrance Can Can, my dog apparel line with Little Lily and a jewelry line with Damiani. And I'm the face of FILA Sportswear for the Korean market.

How much of your work is done in foreign markets?
The Rich Prosecco beverage hasn't even come to America yet, but it will be coming this year. We've already sold over 10 million cans in Europe. What most people don't know is that a portion of the money goes to a charitable organization that buys clean water for families around the world.

How active are you in charitable endeavors as a whole?
I've been involved in charity work since I was a child. I work with so many organizations, especially Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Everything that I do benefits a charity in some way. My dog clothes benefit various animal rescues, and other products give money to breast cancer research, multiple sclerosis or helping kids. This year, I'm looking into starting my own charity, The Paris Hilton Foundation, which will help take the charity work I want to do to the next level.

What would you say to people who think that all you do is party?
It makes me angry because people don't know the real me, and I'm a very hard worker. I travel around the world constantly promoting my projects and endorsing products. Yes, I do get paid to go to parties; in fact, I'm the person who started the whole trend of paid appearances. But when you see me at a party, I'm always working or promoting something, even if it's as simple as wearing my clothing line for the pictures.

You've said that you like to spend a lot of time with friends. Do you have many?
I cut out a lot of negative people from my life last year. I want to be around real friends who love me and want the best for me; people I can trust. It was really hard for me to find that, but I feel like the group I spent this past New Year's with are my real friends and the people I want to keep close to me. Some I've known a long time and some are new, but I feel like I've found best friends in L A, which can be hard for anyone.

What would you say is your ultimate career goal for 2008?
To continue to be hands-on with the business side of things and to be as involved as I have been in branding. I want to have an amazing year, and strive to make my personal dreams come true.

Source 944.com