PARIS WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING

Paris Hilton vows to prove jail has changed her

By Michelle Nichols

Reuters
Thursday, June 28, 2007; 5:54 AM

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Hotel heiress Paris Hilton has launched a media make-over days after her release from a three-week jail stint, vowing to shed her party-girl image and prove she is a changed person.

“I’m a good person. I’m a compassionate person. I have a big heart. I’m sincere, and they’ll see,” Hilton told People magazine in excerpts published on Wednesday from her first interview since getting out of jail Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Appearing later on CNN’s “Larry King Live” show, the 26-year-old socialite said she felt bad that many of her former fellow inmates would end up back on the streets, and back in trouble, because they lack family or support systems.

“I want to help set up a place where these women can get themselves back on their feet … kind of a transitional home,” she said. “I know I can make a difference.”

Hilton, who was punished for violating probation in a drunken-driving case, acknowledged she has long enjoyed the Hollywood party scene but added, “it’s not going to be the mainstay of my life anymore.”

“I’ve definitely matured and grown a lot from this experience,” she told King. “I could be a more responsible role model.”

Critics did not buy a word of it, and they faulted King for not asking any probing questions.

“It was such an obviously scripted performance and so at odds with everything that has ever been reported about Hilton,” the Hollywood Reporter said in its Thursday edition.

Rival trade paper Daily Variety said the interview merely reinforced a puzzling media infatuation with Hilton. “She isn’t particularly interesting — a pretty girl in a town loaded with them, who looks OK through a night-vision lens but doesn’t really have anything to say,” it said.

Hilton’s fame skyrocketed after an amateur sex video of her filmed in night vision hit the Internet.

“FETAL POSITION”

Hilton spoke in both interviews about why she was briefly released to home detention after just three days in jail — a move swiftly overruled by a judge after a public outcry over whether she was given special treatment.

“I was basically in the fetal position, basically in hysterics … and having severe anxiety and panic attacks,” Hilton said in the People interview.

She told King she has suffered from claustrophobia since childhood, and in jail was forced to just “deal with it.”

“I read letters, I wrote in my journal, and I would just close my eyes and pretend I was somewhere else.”

On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca raised the issue of suicide — but stopped short of saying Hilton had been in danger of harming herself — when he explained why he had placed Hilton under house detention.

Hilton told People she spent time in jail reading the Bible and praying for strength.

“There was a nun who works at the jail for all the ladies, and she would come every day and we would pray,” she said. “There were girls next to me. … We could talk through the vents and they were just really sweet.”

CAN YOU GUESS THIS MAN IN BURQA

	By IndiaFM News Bureau, June 28, 2007 – 14:22 IST
	Call it a publicity stunt or genuine mistake but some people can go to any extent to promote their films. And if the publicity from television commercials and bill boards were not enough, the celebs come up with innovative ways to get that “extra” media space, even if you have to drag the god into it. Music composer turned singer turned actor Himesh Reshmmiya did something similar couple of days back. Himesh makes his acting debut with Aap Ka Suroor which is due to release this week. For the same, he secretly visited Ajmer Dargah on Tuesday night to offer prayers but covering himself in a burqa. He made a backdoor entry to the grave of Khawja Moinuddhin Chishti. Apparently, he made all possible attempts to hide himself from the media but still the media managed to capture him unveiling his face. Though some people took objection on his act, he reportedly apologized to the Anjuman Committee of the Dragah and stated that he never intended to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments. While the official committee of the Dargah have no objection for Himesh saying he had no committed any offence by offering prayers in burqa. Well, it seems Himesh is very much serious about his acting and trying his level best to make his film successful. Doesn’t matter if he has to wear a burqa for that.

AN INTERVIE WITH HAMIESH

Himesh lets loose!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 09:09:42 pm

Musician-turned-actor Himesh Reshammiya is all set for his new release Aap ka Suroor this Friday (June 29). TIMES NOW’s Naomi Datta caught up with Himesh as he unveils his acting aspirations, controversies surrounding him and lot more. Naomi: Till last year you made appearances in music videos and you claimed it was more to maintain your rockstar image. You are all set to debut as an actor in Aap ka Suroor, so what prompted you to turn to acting. Himesh: Yes, I always denied that I would ever turn to acting but, I think, the day I was convinced, I was sure that I can so well as an actor. Already, there is so much curiosity for my film. The music is a huge hit, it’s no 1 everywhere. But i think, more than the music people are more curious about my acting and that’s something they can decide on June 29. Naomi: Music comes naturally to you; it’s something that you started doing very young. What about acting, considering you never wanted to become an actor? Himesh: I have always looked up to the great actors of the industry and I have seen their performance. I felt even i can do it but the question is, if I can act or not? People say, ‘he sings from his nose, he’s done music, then singing, now he’s acting.’ But I think I can do it and I will do it well. Naomi: You were never worried about your music but when it comes to this movie, are you worried about what critics are going to say? Himesh: I am not worried because destiny and God have been with me throughout. I have received support from people. I really don’t blame my critics because they have given me all the awards. They said I am a nasal singer and I have accepted it after Ashaji’s slap. I think everyone in their own way have blessed me and that is why I have been able to achieve success. I agree there are many talented people in the film industry than me and I have always maintained this. I have always said this and this is one reason why I have such a fan following and I know they will save me. Naomi: You are being very modest. But there is this perception that success has gone to your head. So, how do you react to this? Himesh: I don’t think I am arrogant. I am shy and that has been misconstrued as arrogance. Success has never gone to my head and I have always cleared this. No talent is bigger than destiny. I have said this from the beginning, ever since I did Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya . God has blessed me and so have people. People were under the impression that according to me R D Burman is a nasal singer, since the Ashaji incident happened. All i wanted to say was, when a singer sings in high pitch, sometimes the vocals tend to go nasal. I admit, I did a mistake by giving R D Burman’s example. Naomi: But what have these controversies taught you? Not to be outspoken or to be little cautious? Himesh: I will never give opinion on people henceforth. If I felt something insulting towards the great R D Burman, even Ashaji wouldn’t have forgiven me and she would have never sung with me. I have indeed become conscious because my intention was never to hurt anyone. I am very sorry if I have hurt anybody. Naomi: How serious are you about becoming a full time actor? Himesh: If the film is a hit, then I will continue. Everything boils down to a hit or a flop. I always wanted to be a music director and if my music wouldn’t have worked, who would have given me work. It’s the same with acting. If at all the film does well and my performance is appreciated, I will think of it. Naomi: In this film you are playing someone who is very similar to you? Himesh: I am playing Himesh Reshamiya, the character who is a singer. People have been wanting to know me and their questions have been answered in this film. Like people wanted to know why I don’t smile, why girls walk out in my videos and that have I really faced a heart-break in my real life. My videos out on me in my videos, have I faced heart break in real life. My videos usually have sad endings. So people are curious what the film’s end would be like. We shot two ends for my film and we have now finalised one of them. Naomi: And we dont know whether it’s happy or sad, we will only find out… Himesh: On June 29! You ask the audience, what do you want? You want me to be happy or sad? Naomi: We want you to be happy, we want you to smile. Himesh: Ok, on June 29 you decide whether it’s a sad or happy end because it happens very logically and correctly, whatever it is. Naomi: You have seen yourself as an actor. How satisfied are you? Himesh: I am very happy with my performance but how does my happiness matter? Ultimately, it’s the viewer who will decide. See, I loved the music of Banaras which I made, which was also critically acclaimed but not a single tape got sold in the market. It was a big flop, a complete washout. So my likes and dislikes have nothing to do. When you become a brand, the world stakes its money on you, music companies, directors, producers and actors. I have performed well but now the audience has to decide June 29. Naomi: One burning question. How many caps do you have? Himesh: Oh, lots of caps. I don’t know the exact number since i don’t count them. I am very superstitious. Lots in numbers! Naomi: And do you sleep with your cap on? Himesh: (laughs) Of course not! Naomi: You have always believed in god. Himesh: Only god! Only destiny! Only the blessings of lakhs of people, not talent. Naomi: What nonsense? Himesh: See when I say no talent, it doesn’t mean, one can survive without talent. When god wants you to do well, he blesses you with 500 superb compositions. There is a divine force which makes you do good work, so you compose 500 songs and they become instant hits. Now if the film is a hit, it’s because of god. It’s not in our hands. That’s a fact. Naomi: So it will be the divine force. Himesh: Only divine force.

MELISSA SLAMS HOLLYWOOD WILD ONES

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Melissa is shocked by what the latest batch of Hollywood youngsters can get away with

She made her name starring in kids’ TV show Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, but now Melissa Joan Hart is older and wiser, the actress has been getting a few things off her chest about Hollywood’s latest wild child crop.

The former child star says she’s shocked by how much the bright young things of Tinseltown are allowed to get away with these days: “These girls are going to clubs but somehow they’re not getting into trouble for it – and they’re underage. Someone has got to say to them ‘you know what you’re still a kid, you’re gonna live by my rules’.”

But the actress admits it’s not easy to stay on the straight and narrow when you’re young.

“It’s sad but it’s understandable, when you’re given millions of dollars and the freedom to get away with and break laws, you can get away with anything really.”

Melissa says the reason she never lost her head was simple: “I really worked hard as a kid to make my career last, I wasn’t around a lot of ego and I just really enjoyed the process.”