Friday, October 19, 2007

Just like Paris Hilton – Cindy wants to leave her mark on the world.

Okay. Keep this in mind. I HATE it when someone makes the news because they are rich and outrageous and not because they are truly newsworthy. And I, for one, have had just about as much face time via magazines, fanzines, and celebrity gossip TV as I want with Paris Hilton. Eeeew.

Let me repeat: I HATE it when someone makes the news because they are rich and outrageous. So why is Paris Hilton the subject of my blog, you might ask and thereby adding to her celebutant notarity? Well, it horks me off to do it but I saw this article and felt compelled to share the new and improved Paris then get your take on it.

Here goes: The 26-year-old socialite has vowed to change her party-girl image after serving a 23-day jail sentence in June for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

"There are a lot of bad people in L.A. Before, my life was about having fun, going to parties -- it was a fantasy," she told Newsweek magazine in its October 22 issue. "But when I had time to reflect, I felt empty inside. I want to leave a mark on the world."

Hilton says she is now committed to using her celebrity status for the greater good. Next month, she plans to pack her bags for Rwanda to bring attention to the African country.

"I'm scared, yeah. I've heard it's really dangerous," she says. "I've never been on a trip like this before."

Hilton, accompanied by a children's charity called Playing for Good, will visit schools and health-care clinics as part of a five-day charity mission. The trip will be filmed -- not surprising, given Hilton's love of the camera.

"I love having everything documented," says Hilton, who hopes to turn the footage into a film. "It shows people what everyday life is like for me, how hard I work. There are a lot of misconceptions about me."

Hilton says her dating life isn't as wild as the tabloids make it out to be.

"I've been linked to so many guys, but there's nothing romantic going on at all," she says. "I get along better with guys than girls. I trust them more. They don't get all girly and mean. Girls have drama."

Okay. The woman wants to leave a mark on the world. That is so HOT! And hello? Hasn’t she already done that? Left a black mark that is.

Am I being a mean girl here like the other girls in Paris’s life? Should I give her the benefit of the doubt and conclude that she really did have an epiphany and now she’s out to rid the world of hunger and disease and dark, grainy movies of her getting it on with her boy toy of the week? Is this simply Paris’ latest ploy for attention and an attempt to stay in the media’s eye? Or do you think she’s sincere? And if she is sincere, (and I’m not ruling out that possibility) do you think she’ll take her dog with her to Africa? And if YOU had the opportunity, what would you do to leave your mark on the world?

12 comments:

Unknown said...

NOT Paris Hilton fan, here. And I always try to err on the side of allowing people some slack with their flaws and futures. But I'm heartily sick of hearing about her "conversion" and all the good she INTENDS to do. Give it a rest, Hollywood. The proof will be in the "putting" as my granny used to say. I hope she's sincere about trying to do good, rather than just rehabilitate her image so she can make more money from it.

I'm having to wean myself from the online gossip tags on my MSN homepage. Some of it is downright depressing. But I love the fact that Brad and Angelina are trying to do good with their fame and influence. I especially love that they're making adoption part of their lives and are reaching out to children all over the world.

I've had a taste-- just a taste-- of "success" and I know it can be disorienting and can separate you from people if you let it. I also know that when you're a success, people tell you what they think you want to hear.. . which can lead to a skewed view of the world and your place in it-- damaging deluxe.

If I had the chance to make a mark on the world, I'd like it to be in support of compassion for others. Now that I think about it, what's stopping me? Hmmmm. Cindy you've given me quite a bit to think about. And I didn't even have to go to prison. . .

Cindy Gerard said...

Love your thoughts on this Betina.
I've got to tell you, after 9/11 I had a period where I couldn't write because it felt so trivial given the suffering going on in our country. A friend of mine, however, wouldn't let me get by with that kind of thinking. She told me that now more than ever, the world needs positive, uplifting stories to reinforce the good in the human spirit. I've never forgotten that. And when I receive letters from readers - touching heartfelt letters - telling me my books got them through a difficult period I like to think that yeah, I am making at least a small mark in someone's life. I have no doubt that top down riders and readers feel the same way about their contributions, big or small.
And yeah, Brad and Angelina are amazing with the work they do.

Hellie Sinclair said...

I hate to say this, being I'm a writer and all, but "actions speak louder than words"--and all she's done so far is talk about doing good, while her actions clearly say other things.

If the Wizard actually gives her a brain and she turns it around and does great things for the world--great, about damned time.

Otherwise, I don't want to hear about her.

As we might have guessed: not a Paris fan.

Cindy Gerard said...

Hey Mshellion - I'm with you. And your statement: Not a Paris fan, begs the question - does she HAVE any fans? I'm just stunned by the press she continues to get. Oh boy. There's that mean girl in me coming out again.

Playground Monitor said...

Add me to the "I'll believe it when I see it" column. I'm sick of her, Britney, Lindsay and the Olsen twins.

If I had the means to do it, I'd love to rid the world of cancer. If all the money that went toward purchasing gossip rags was contributed to cancer research instead, just think of the dollars they'd have. Heck, if Britney would shop at Wally World or Tarjay instead of buying designer undies, and donate the difference -- oops! I forgot she doesn't wear any. Scratch that thought. I know -- mean girl in me coming out.

Marilyn

Helen Brenna said...

I think she's full of it. Period.

And that's not mean girl talk. It's what all of you have said with regard to actions speaking louder than words.

If I had the opportunity to make a mark ... I think I'd hilight something like domestic violence. Or just violence against women and children.

Cindy Gerard said...

We are on a roll. Let's hear more about what you all would like to do if you had the opportunity.

Kathleen Eagle said...

I'm sure Paris's handlers--PR, marketing, legal advisers, humanity coach, whatever--put the latest plan together for her. Who knows? Maybe she'll her time in Africa will include a few moments off camera with some real people and she'll experience some sort of epiphany.

Frankly, I think we'll see what they want us to see, meaning when we see it, we won't know any more or less than what we knew before. So far what I see is another ugly American standing on the backs of impoverished people for a photo op. It might have helped if she'd let a little time pass, but this way there isn't the thinnest veil over her motivation. Or her handlers'.

Okay, maybe she'll be transformed in spite of self-serving motivations. It happens. Where's she going? Damascus?

What I know for sure is that what we see on film is several times removed from reality. But that doesn't preclude truth from being told. The medium is the message. It's all up to the film maker.

Has anyone watched any of the latest Ken Burns documentary about WWII? Pretty amazing.

Fedora said...

Oh, gack! Not a fan here of Ms. Hilton or any other fame whores (sorry--that's pretty harsh). I'm glad she desires to help do something positive, and I hope that actual good will come from it and hope that the doing of it will help change her heart, but I agree with everyone who's said that I don't want to hear/read about it in the meantime.

I have a chance to make a mark every day in how I'm parenting my kids, and in how I treat their friends. It isn't a big world-changing thing, but I think it's a lasting one. And kudos to all you other caring parents--we're changing the world, one child (diaper? ;)) at a time ;)

Cindy Gerard said...

Kathy - Tragically, you're summation is probably all too accurate. How sad the someone like her will be perceived as a representative of the USA.

And Flchen - I disagree with you about what you do not being a big world-changing thing. It's a very big thing to raise a child with love and positive reinforcement. It shapes their character - something Ms. H seemed to have missed somewhere along the way.
Kudos back at' cha!

Anonymous said...

I find Miss Hilton not even worth talking about.

The celebrity that I find the most pathetic is Ms. Spears. I've come to the conclusion that she is suffering from some hard-core Post Partum Depression. She's exhibiting a lot of the signs.

Anyway, it's not worth thinking about really. There are much more important things to worry about.

Helen Brenna said...

Oh, Kaitlin, you may have hit the nail on the head. Post Partum Depression is devastating. And two kids that quickly, could be her issue. That's sad.

What's even more sad is now I'm sypathetic.