In 2009, Vegas went bust, and the six figure hosting fees for nightclubs dried-up, and some are probably pleased that, perhaps as a result, Paris Hilton has spent a lot less time in Sin City than in years past. I have interviewed Hilton more times than I can remember. And, I actually think she has proven over the years to be good for Vegas: especially, when she appears at a nightclub, for front-line servers who depend on tips. That said, I also think she is an idiot.
One of the most amazing aspects of the marketing of Paris Hilton to me have been the stories of Hilton’s astuteness as a businesswoman. I have interviewed Hilton in Vegas as she promoted her lousy movie and spoken to her when she sold her shoe line at a mall as well as talked to her on countless red carpets and never once could Hilton be said to show interest, knowledge or have any command of details as to the business side of her appearances in Vegas. To the best I can tell she is the face behind whom stand outstanding business people and marketers.
In fact, some of her appearances here have been so bizarre, they would be better called exercises in Vegas sucking-up than actual business or promotion. Vegas is great at making people feel important, and it speaks volumes that Hilton would fall for that tourist trap. Take that movie screening for “The Hottie and the Nottie,” which was essentially a vanity showing with a theater packed with nightclub employees who had been ordered to attend by their bosses so that Hilton could have a full house when she arrived. The nightclub employees (who worked for PMG nightclubs and restaurants including PURE and LAX) would not tell me how much they were paid to be there. But they were clear that their attendance was mandatory. And, before Hilton arrived the former managing partner at Pure was working the phone demanding that no-shows come at once. For “The Hottie and the Nottie” there were speeches praising Hilton and she was given presents as this was near her birthday. This reminded me mostly of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences Vegas famously can mock-up for high-rollers. A typical example, involving a high roller, was when the Hard Rock let a gambler have his band open a concert at the Joint for the Fabulous Thunderbirds. The idea was to give the man his dream and that way he would keep gambling at Hard Rock. It is a vanity deal pure and simple. And, that movie screening was hardly an occasion an astute businessperson would be taken in by. But when I spoke to Hilton afterwards, she seemed genuinely touched by the love Vegas was showing her. Love?
Of course, there is no way to know what goes on behind the scenes in any celebrity life. But the behind the scenes that I have witnessed for Paris Hilton has been lots of energy spent gratifying whims in an endless fight to be part of her inner Vegas circle, gofers rushing to do Hilton’s bidding, and her connections to some of those people here who make their living off being “friends” of celebrities thanks to certain sites and tabloids. In Vegas, Hilton is often surrounded by the “We love you” and “Yes” crowd.
My favorite Paris Hilton memory involves watching her walk into a wall at a nightclub, Jet (a Light Group nightclub) at the Mirage. Hilton was trying to get to the club’s bathroom, and what made the incident so special was Hilton even had help getting to her destination: a team of club security. They tried to aim her body toward the door, and as they escorted her they shined lights at her feet and they were even opening the bathroom door as the heiress strode forward past them into a wall.
Anyway, Hilton seems to have had a fake wedding in Vegas to Piers Morgan. The story is being reported now internationally though Norm Clarke originally reported the details in Review-Journal at the end of August. Most of the stories (from India to England) are running identical quotes, which makes me suspect a press release supplied them. I have put in a call to the wedding chapel the nuptials supposedly took place and am waiting to hear back.
Why a fake wedding? Hilton, of course, has a boyfriend, and the groom is engaged to someone else. The entire wedding apparently was staged and filmed for Morgan’s new television show. And, of course, Hilton and Morgan supplied the media with quotes for the occasion. Daily Mail has photos that appear to commemorate the occasion: you can see the Marilyn and Elvis impersonators behind the happy faux couple.
So, if you want another reason why I think Hilton is an idiot, here is her quote (the identical quote given in all the stories about the wedding) from Daily Mail yesterday: “You can do anything here, it’s crazy. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!” What is she talking about? This “wedding” could not be less crazy (Britney Spears did the crazy wedding thing). And, certainly this was not meant to stay in Vegas: a fully planned and staged publicity stunt filmed for a television show with quotes supplied to the press. Paris Hilton, the alleged astute business entrepreneur, even manages to be wrong, twice, uttering the most banal of Vegas cliches. (Photo: Sarah Gerke)
Correction: This post has been updated to reflect Norm Clarke’s August reporting. See comments.
Even if people were being forced/paid to attend her screening, the press was also present. So her name and her picture were appearing in the media even if, truth be told, no one cared about watching the terrible movie she was in. I’m sure she has a whole slew of people telling her what to do and where to be, and she is probably not the genius marketer some people say she is. But she’s definitely aware of how to self-promote, and I guess we have to give her credit for that.
I was sort of smuggled in. I don’t think there were other press there. I could be wrong. But, either way, with the people around me all complaining that they were required to be there for work, I don’t think a story about that screening could make her or the movie look good from a marketing standpoint. Or, is it true that all press is good press? Thanks for reading. Yrs., Richard
In her prime (which I think is already slipping away), I thought Paris looked great. But I couldn’t take five minutes of her if she’s anywhere near as vapid and shallow as she seems. I don’t care how good looking a woman is; I have to at least like her, or there’s nothing there. And with Paris, I haven’t seen much to like. It’s a shame, really. With her name and looks, she could have done a lot of good if she’d chosen to go in that direction. (She could have brought attention to a worthy cause, for example.) Instead, it seems to all be about Paris.
thought I read about this in the RJ (Norm’s column) a couple of months ago when it happened.
Yes, you are right, Vegas Bob. Thanks for pointing out my error. The photos were provided to the world by Daily Mail yesterday including the quote and Morgan writing about his Vegas trip to promote his documentary. But, you are totally correct, the wedding took place in August and Norm Clarke had the details then:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/56315877.html
But that also means Hilton’s lame quote about the wedding comes after she had months to prepare (or, get someone to write for her) something to say. Yrs. ,R.
Oh my gosh, Richard! I spit out coffee on my computer screen reading about Paris Hilton walking into a wall. I bet that was hilarious to watch.
I agree that she takes stupidity to new heights. And the sad thing is that she orchestrates this shit and actually makes money off of it! This amazes me. While at the same time showing everyone that she has no talent for anything other than to pose, cross her eyes and paste a dumb smile on her face.
It also amazes me she’s back in Las Vegas again. This was after showing up in a Middle Eastern city and claiming in a quote that they were so much more classier than Las Vegas is.
Then skip forward about a week or two. She shows up at the Prive night club at P-Ho one night. Apparently, some celebrity there twittered that there was a drunk girl on the floor…oh…no…wait…it’s only Paris Hilton. But then, after being asked, that celebrity removed that post.
Well, if we’re not as classy, why did she show up back here? The answer is simple. You throw money at her, BAM! SHE’S THERE!
Oh well. The no talent idiocy continues. Las Vegas is the hot dog and Paris Hilton is the mustard on it. Inseparable.
I think for Paris Hilton – all press is good press. Lol she is the original media whore! And even if there were bad articles written about the screening or her movie in general, her picture from that event could have appeared in the tabloids with no story at all. (Just a mention of who made the dress she was wearing, etc…)
BUT if there were no other members of the press there that night…then you’re right, it’s just sad, and a total loss for her!
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I have a video from the Paris Hilton video on my blog. To bad it got relased onto the internet for everyone to view. She did not want it to be released as it was her ex boyfriend Rick Salomon that lost it.