Invasion of the ‘Hottie’
at Franklin Mills mall

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

If Paris Hilton fails as a Hollywood actress, at least she has a great future as a Philly weather girl.
Hilton’s innate gauges detected all sorts of thermal patterns during her public appearance at the Franklin Mills mall last Thursday.
Though the world’s most famous hotel heiress, hazardous driver and homemade porn queen showed up fashionably late to her scheduled 6 p.m. autograph session — about a half-hour late, to be precise — she warmed up to the more than 1,000 rabid fans and curiosity-seekers in no time.
"It’s great to be back in Philly. You’re a very hot crowd," Hilton proclaimed, using that trademark buzzword around which her new screen epic, The Hottie and the Nottie, undoubtedly revolves.
Not coincidentally, it was that very film, scheduled to open publicly on Feb. 8, that brought her to the AMC Theatres Franklin Mills 14 that evening.
The Northeast Times did not take advantage of an opportunity to preview the soon-to-be classic with several hundred of Hilton’s most passionate and hopelessly confused fans. But we watched with great interest as the starlet smiled, hugged and small-talked her way through most of the throng, one at a time.
And we were downright impressed when Hilton, in obvious defiance of potential typecasting, declared over the public-address system, "It’s cold in here," before quickly shedding a frilly blue waistcoat to reveal a stylish sailboat-pattern cardigan and blue-striped blouse combination underneath.
That wasn’t the only puzzling moment of the evening.
Another occurred as Hilton’s phalanx of bodyguards, managers and personal valets escorted her to a temporary stage. An unknown security guy announced that all autograph seekers would have to surrender their telephones before ascending the stage because "recording devices" were not allowed.
Hilton’s sudden shyness seemed odd considering her propensity for appearing in tabloid photos and Internet videos, often with some or all of her clothing missing in action. Perhaps she’s learned from her past blunders.
Some more strangeness transpired as a couple of local radio personalities — whose station apparently co-sponsored the event — attempted to entertain the troops while awaiting Hilton’s arrival.
First, one of the hosts, a female, led a round of a trivia game she called "Celebrity Drama," during which she posed tasteful questions to the largely young and impressionable crowd — tasteful questions such as, "What was found in a rolled-up $20 bill next to Heath Ledger’s (death) bed."
The answer: nothing, silly. Not even a trace of illicit drugs.
Not to be outdone, a male co-host segued into "Gay Walking," another game in which they ask for a homosexual volunteer and ask him a patronizing question that they figure only a straight guy will know. In this case, the gay contestant outsmarted everyone by naming the two participants in this year’s Super Bowl.
Truth be told, the folks in the audience offered mostly entertaining responses to just about any question posed to them by the promoters or by the sizable group of local news media covering the event.
Ray Bowens, a 40-something fellow from Feltonville, seemed an unlikely candidate to wait in line for an hour or so just for the chance to meet an icon of bubblegum culture like Hilton. But he was there.
"I’m a big fan of her. I like her movie. I like her personality. I see her in the news all the time, at least once a week," he said.
But what exactly is her talent?
"Being rich and being pretty. Plus, she looks like a model," said Bowens, who admits he has viewed Hilton’s notorious home sex tape, purely for research purposes.
Nonetheless, he feels that it was some of the actress’ best work yet.
"I believe it is," he said.
Northwood native Marvin Quammen, who said he mostly floats around from place to place these days, arrived for the 6 p.m. event about three hours ahead of time. That’s when he pulled out a ballpoint pen and a spiral notebook and began sketching Hilton’s bust from an image on a promotional poster. The artwork contained a surprising number of pen strokes and showed the subject with a star holding her ponytail together.
"I started at around four o’clock and finished at around 4:15, maybe 4:20," Quammen said.
He was disappointed to learn that Hilton would not sign anything other than the photos brought to the event by her handlers. That bit of news made the long line seem almost not worth the wait.
"It’s like the bank in here," Quammen said. "I’m not really a Paris Hilton fan. She’s pretty cute, but she’s pretty dumb. I like smart women."
The aspiring artist wasn’t exactly prepared for the level of excitement surrounding Hilton.
"I’ve been standing here and I could have a heart attack," he said. "I had two scotches and five beers this morning. I’m lucky to be alive."
Two more-conventional Hilton fans in line were Diana Hart, 16, of Milford, Del., and Marie Schmieg, 17, of Willow Grove. They came separately but became friends as they waited in line together.
"I won tickets off of (a radio station) to see the movie," Hart said. "I think (Hilton) is amazing. She wrote a book. She has a clothing line, a perfume, a CD. She’s an actress and a singer."
Both girls noted how impressed they are that Hilton seems to have turned her life around following a county prison stint last year.
"She’s really cleaned up her act," Schmieg said. "She’s really glamorous, successful and really beautiful."
Schmieg considers Hilton an all-around great entertainer.
Bensalem’s Melodyblue Gillum thinks that Hilton is an inspiration. The young woman, who works for a hairdresser, overcame personal challenges just to get to the Hilton appearance.
"I left work early and then I got a flat," Gillum said. "I drove all the way from my friend’s house."
There was no word on how Gillum planned to get home with her disabled vehicle. But at least she’s a lot safer driver now thanks to Hilton.
"She’s why I don’t drink and drive anymore," said Gillum, who also appreciates that Hilton is making her own way in life despite her wealthy parents.
"I love her because she got rich by having sex. I mean, she got famous by having sex," Gillum said. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com