Paris Hilton, Role Model?

She won the fame game by appearing on the Internet in the buff and bringing her own brand of chic to the slammer.

Now Paris Hilton is trying to convince folks that she’s a good role model for young people.

“I work very hard and I’ve built this empire on my own. I think this is an inspiration for a lot of girls out there,” Paris told Reuters.

Recently, the heiress was getting ready to judge the Miss Turkey beauty contest and to prove to the citizens of Turkey just what an exemplary figure she is, the would-be singer and reality show actress took to the stage alongside one of the local women and performed a belly dance.

Prior to traveling to Turkey, Hilton visited Johannesburg, South Africa with rocker boyfriend Benji Madden. Reporters asked her about her impression of South Africa.

“I love Africa in general, South Africa and West Africa,” Hilton responded. “They are both great countries.”

I think Paris may have a future as a celebrity spokesperson for Google Earth.

Another one of Hollywood’s “finest” role models is in the news as well.

Here’s looking at you, Madge.

Never one to give up easily, Madonna has yet another plan to establish her acting creds.

This time around she has her sights set on a classic film, one with plot, depth and built-in appeal to the public.

The material girl is looking to do a remake of “Casablanca.” But rather than having the story set in WWII like the original, the popster plans on paying homage to Hollywood’s current politics.

The Bogie-Bergman revamp will reportedly be set in Iraq during the ongoing war.

In the past, Madonna has been panned by film critics and moviegoers alike for her big-screen bloopers, which include “Shanghai Surprise,” “Body Of Evidence” and “Swept Away.”

Seemingly undeterred, she now seeks to play the role of Ilsa Lund, the “Casablanca” character that caused Ingrid Bergman’s career to skyrocket.

Despite an aggressive push, though, Hollywood execs haven’t been too excited about taking on a project that tries to overhaul one of the best films ever made.

Some of them must be thinking, “Of all the film joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.”

Did NBC Agree to Buy the Paris Hilton Interview?

The New York Times is reporting that ABC News said that they had lost to NBC for the first interview with Paris Hilton after her release from jail because ABC was unwilling to make a “high six-figure deal” with Ms. Hilton’s family.

NBC executives did not deny that they had had discussions about interview rights with Hilton and the spokeswoman for NBC News, Allison Gollust, insisted, “NBC News does not pay for interviews — never have, never will.”

Of course the money won’t come from the news division. The compensation normally will be paid in a separate deal, with a different part of the company, like the entertainment division.

Will Arnold Pardon Paris? (He let Tookie Fry)

Hotel heiress Paris Hilton arriving at the Metropolitan Branch Courthouse, in Los Angeles 04 May 2007. Paris Hilton is backing an online campaign to request California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issue a pardon following her 45-day prison sentence for driving on a suspended license

Prison Break for Paris Hilton?

It looked like a red carpet event.

Outside the courthouse, cameras flashed and fans swooned.

Paris Hilton showed up 20 minutes late for her probation violation hearing, dabbing on makeup prior to waltzing in.

Evidently, Paris thought she could use the Debra LaFave defense in court; that her prominent presence in the courtroom would make the judge realize that she was far too beautiful to go to prison.

It may have worked for LaFave, but not for Hilton. Los Angeles Judge Michael Sauer, apparently unimpressed with Hilton’s celebrity status, sentenced her to 45 days in the slammer. She was ordered to report to her new accommodations on June 5.

Hilton’s home for a potential month and a half will be a cell in a Lynwood, California detention center for women. Like her fellow inmates, she’ll wear an orange jumpsuit and be confined to a 12-by-8 foot space. If she wants to primp, she’ll have to use the polished metal plate that’s provided to see her reflection.

She won’t be eating any gourmet meals either. The incarcerated heiress will get only one hot meal per day, with two other cold fowl-based ones.

TV execs are already buzzing about the potential for a “Paris in Prison” show. But the possibility still exists that she’ll escape punishment.

After an appeal is filed, Paris may be allowed to remain free on bail. Or she may follow the pattern of another celebrity.

In 2006, then “Lost” actress Michelle Rodriguez started a 60-day jail sentence for violating probation after a driving-under-the-influence arrest in Hawaii. She was released in mere hours due to an overcrowded prison situation.

Hilton’s mouthpiece, renowned celeb counsel Howard Weitzman, has indicated that he will file an appeal. His defense is his client’s fame and the two-tiered justice system it purportedly produces.

“She’s been selectively targeted in my opinion to be prosecuted because of who she is,” Weitzman said.

After hearing her fate in court, Hilton told photographers gathered outside her home, “I feel that I was treated unfairly and that the sentence is both cruel and unwanted and I don’t deserve this.”

Still, in terms of public behavior, Paris has been pushing the envelope for a long time.

The fact of the matter is she presented a real danger to the public when she was driving in an intoxicated state and was put on probation instead of jail. The court gave her conditional mercy.

When Hilton ignored the conditions of her probation, she chose jail for herself. She’s not being punished for being Paris. She’s being punished for committing a crime.