Paris Hilton – The Heiress!

Known to the tabloids as "Paris the Heiress," Hilton made a name for herself as a party-hopping socialite early in the 21st century. Paris Hilton was born on February 17th, 1981, to Rick and Kathy Hilton, making her the great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton, founder of the Hilton hotels and source of the family fortune -- estimated at $300 million. Her grandfather, Conrad "Nicky" Hilton, Jr., also brought some notoriety to the family, as he was the first of Elizabeth Taylor's many ex-husbands. Paris' younger sister, Nicky (born in 1983), shares the throne as co-heiress of the Hilton empire.

Growing up in Manhattan's ritzy Waldorf-Astoria, the family's New York home, as well as other Hilton digs in Beverly Hills and the Hamptons, Paris didn't seem to yearn for much. As she grew skinnier, blonder, wilder, and richer, society joyfully embraced her as gossip fodder and allowed her to adopt a movie-star mystique while waiving the irksome requirement of having starred in an actual movie. Even after graduating from high school, college didn't appeal to her. So, around the year 2000, Paris decided to branch out and become famous.

Hilton has developed a modeling career and has posed for such publications as GQ, Vanity Fair and FHM. She has also actively contributed in numerous fashion circles, often collaborating with top designers at their shows. Some of these designers and labels include Tommy Hilfiger, Joey and T, Heatherette, Richard Tyler and Jeremy Scott.

An occasional model, she also has had a few small film roles, most notably appearing as herself in the hi-fashion satire Zoolander (2001, with Ben Stiller).Her additional film credits include roles in "Raising Helen" and "Nine Lives." She will also appear in the upcoming features "Wonderland" with Val Kilmer and "The Cat in the Hat" with Mike Myers. Currently, she’s shooting the film "Win A Date With Tad Hamilton," with Kate Bosworth and Topher Grace.

At the same time, Paris became the center of attention because of her relationships -- real or imagined by the paparazzi -- with some of Hollywood's hottest young stars. In early 2000, Paris was spotted around town with Leonardo DiCaprio. However, the press, especially the National Enquirer, blew their casual friendship far out of proportion. Nevertheless, she apparently dated Terminator 2's Edward Furlong for a few months, and was later seen out and about with boxer Oscar de la Hoya. Paris has also been linked with actor and Tommy Hilfiger model, Jason Shaw, as well as Sum 41 lead singer Derek Whibley.

Ironically, Paris' main accomplishment is that she has made herself famous without really having accomplished anything, aside from some modeling and bit parts in films like Wishman, Nine Lives, The Hillz, and The Cat in the Hat. Unfortunately for Hilton, her small role in James Cox's crime thriller Wonderland that same year was overshadowed by a larger role in an explicit homemade sex video tape, which her ex-boyfriend promptly sold to the salivating Internet hoards. Interestingly enough, the ensuing lawsuit and barrage of negative publicity did nothing but bolster the ratings of The Simple Life, a reality show starring Hilton and fellow heiress Nicole Richie. The series chronicled Hilton and Ritchie's reactions to the pitfalls of "simple" living, such as holding a job and shopping in outlets that don't stock haute couture. While the show could never quite decide who the novelty was -- the ridiculous rich girls or "hayseed" townsfolk -- The Simple Life was, nonetheless, a huge success.

In the end, Paris' sexiness is a matter of personal preference. Her lack of sophistication, despite a privileged upbringing, when amplified by infantile antics, could be a real turnoff for many. Nevertheless, a breezy attitude, a pretty face, and a juicy bankroll are enough for some men. And since when were "respectable" women automatically sexier anyway?

Usually, Paris can be seen in low-slung Frankie B. jeans, a tank top, a denim jacket, faux-diamond waistbands, and too much makeup: In other words, a more urban kind of overpriced pseudo-chic. It's difficult to imagine Paris in anything truly elegant.

Apparently she's in talks for a lead role in the sequel to the abysmal 2000 film "Dungeons and Dragons". While it may have bombed, the sequel is drawing an unusually large amount of high profile attention and talent who believe that in the right hands, the property could still yield a viable film franchise.

Joel Silver is the producer on this and 'Wax', and the first 'Dungeons' star Justin Whalin is said to be on board too. Allegedly she impressed Silver enough to snag a role in this next one too, saying in her usual playful manner with the media - "Sounds like fun, I'll get dirty", alongside all the usual statements about what a great time the film should be to do.

Paris' fame remains closer to notoriety than true recognition. She is still a fixture in gossip columns and the tabloid press thanks to her antics at parties and string of high-profile boyfriends, and has now apparently become a role model for other attention starved socialites looking to up their public profile.