June 28, 2007 • Print This Post
Okay, I don’t get it. I really don’t. What is the deal with this Paris Hilton hype? Why do we care? Are we waiting to see if the rich girl to grows into heroine or suffers a tragic end? I can’t figure out the rabid interest.
Maybe I do know. Paris is bigger than life—she’s had it all, money, privilege, weird fame, but we’re looking to see what is under all of that. We’re looking to see if she has substance, the seeds of something real and powerful that will grow into valuable qualities. We’re looking to see what she’s really made of under all the makeup and glamour.
From a writer’s point of view, Paris has the potential to grow into a heroine. I’d tweak her back story a little and make her dramatic mom into a stage mom who pushed her daughter into the limelight. Then I’d get a few more people to take advantage of her, and just when she finally learns to fight back I’d throw her in the slammer.
Once there, I’d force her to see what other people, more specifically the poor and disenfranchised go through, and then I’d have the ingredients for a heroine.
Of course, then I’d really make her life miserable and bring in a hero who doesn’t think she’s worth the time of day…until Paris proved to him, and the readers, that she has become a woman of value, and that she deserves real love.
That’s if I’m writing a romance. And I’d have a heck of a lot of fun finding her a hero for her.
But back in real life, I suspect the media doesn’t want a romance where Paris morphs into an amazing woman and finds soul-filling love. I suspect they are looking for her to spiral into tragedy. Like we don’t have enough tragedy everyday?
It’s the same thing with other young stars like Britney, Lindsay, etc. The crazy media following them endlessly, gleefully reporting on their bad behavior and bizarre antics reminds me in a way of Princess Diana—a woman who molded herself into a flawed but likable heroine. She was rich and privileged but we could identify with her desperation for her husband to love her, and later, her continuing quest to find love. We applauded her standing up against the establishment to raise her sons in the way she saw fit. She had good and bad qualities that we could identify with. In spite of her flaws, or maybe because of them, she made us care about more than just the way she looked, or what outrageous thing she did or said, she made us aware of people and their genuine suffering. She drew us in and made us care with her. We felt a part of her world.
Maybe Diana left a hole in the world that we are trying to fill: A beautiful princess with real substance.
With the young women today like Paris, we are not drawn into their worlds, but watching them from the outside with curiosity. They don’t seem to have substance, at least not yet.
Why do you think there’s so much interest in Paris? Do you think she can find her way into becoming a real life heroine?
Posted by Jennifer Apodaca @ 11:47 am • Filed under: General, Jennifer Apodaca
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I think as this point it would take a lot to make her into heroine material. She has not seemed to accept the consequences to her actions and according to her interview on Larry King (heresay, didn’t watch it) she is still blaming her lawyer for her breaking probation.
I am not sure why there is so much interest in Paris, but I would think because of the money behind her there is some misguided opinion that we care for her. Maybe it would be easier to care for her if she stood up and was accountable for what she has done, but that has not happened, she is still blaming everyone else. I am in agreement with Brandy and at this point it would take a whole lot to make people really think that she is able to be made into heroine material and not just the spoiled little rich girl that she is. IMHO.
I can’t imagine why any one would be on her side. I think most people want to believe everyone is treated equally but she sure proves that isn’t the case. She’s been handed everything in the world without having to work for anything and she still can’t do any better than whine and act like a spoiled little rich girl - which is all she is.
I think people love to see people fail in life. I think it makes people feel better about themselves to see people in worse conditions then they are in. It’s really sad actually.
My big question was…if she’s so rich, couldn’t she afford a DRIVER?? Hello! I know she wouldn’t look as good in the back seat of a limo as in the driver’s side of a Bentley, but come on already. I just thought it was a case of vanity gone awry. I don’t necessarily like to see people fail, heck, I like what Angelina Jolie is doing now. She had her bad girl phase and is now doing something positive with her fame. I love that about her! Maybe if Paris Hilton would change instead of blaming everyone else, I’d have more sympathy.
Brandy, I heard the same thing about the Larry King Interview, but I didn’t watch it either.
Cryna, it is hard to feel sorry for Paris when she has so many advantages. But you know, I did feel sorry for her because she hasn’t been taught how to deal with life.
Catslady, it certainly appears that way. The only comment I have that might sound like defending her is that it’s common practice to release inmates that early as she was the first time. I’ve never seen anyone dragged back to jail the way she was. But who knows, maybe it’ll be for the best.
Rachel, I think you might be right to some degree. Plus I think many people feel if you have more advantages in life, then you should have more responsibility to give back.
Brownone, having a driver would have been a common sense and simple solution. I wondered that too.