Although Paris Hilton is a model, singer, actress, author and a reality TV star, she seems to be better known for her personal life than her accomplishments. "Some of these people are famous, and we don't even know why," said Chris Blair, the chair of the communication arts program at Union University. "Paris Hilton was famous before she was on television.
She was famous for just being a pretty, thin millionaire. That was her claim to fame." But her star status hasn't kept her out of trouble.
In September, she failed a sobriety test. Later, police caught her driving on a suspended license twice. The second violation resulted in a 45-day jail sentence.
Hilton was scheduled for early release from a Los Angeles prison today. While some teenagers think Hilton is "cool" because of her style, beauty and personality, some parents say her lifestyle of partying sets a bad example. "Not everyone we see on TV is living the right life," said Janet Hayes of Milan.
Hilton, a hotel heiress, may be wealthy and beautiful, but that doesn't make her a good role model, she said. Hayes and her 15-year-old daughter, Tiffanie, sometimes discuss the images they see in the media of young celebrities such as Hilton, singer Britney Spears and actress Lindsay Lohan. It is important for parents to talk about the images that promote wild behavior, Janet said.
She remembers when Lohan, 20, starred in Disney's remake of "The Parent Trap" when she was 11. "She was so pretty and everything," Janet said. "Now look at her.
" Lohan entered rehab May 28 after crashing her car into a curb and was arrested for driving under the influence, according to the Associated Press. Tiffanie said Lohan, Hilton and Spears are too wild. "They need to calm down," she said.
Spears completed a monthlong stay at a rehabilitation treatment facility in March after attracting media attention for wild behavior that included partying with Hilton and shaving her own head, according to AP. Last year, Hilton said she is a good role model, according to a statement she made in an interview on NBC's "Today" show. She also said that "A lot of mothers come up to me and they're really happy .
.." Kelly Sheffield of Jackson can't imagine why a mother would think Hilton is a good influence on their daughter.
"Her lifestyle goes against everything the Bible teaches on how to live for God," she said. "She's definitely not a good role model for girls." Sheffield's daughter, Taylor, is 17 years old.
"I don't agree with her decisions," Taylor said. Her mom is her role model, she said. "But I know people who do like Paris and think she's cool," she added.
Lizanne Taylor, 16, of Jackson thinks Hilton is cool. Although Paris Hilton is a model, singer, actress, author and a reality TV star, she seems to be better known for her personal life than her accomplishments.
