Pop culture icon Paris Hilton returns to the world of reality television with her new MTV series "Paris Hilton's My New BFF," where 18 contestants vie for the opportunity to join the celebutante's inner circle. "Paris Hilton's My New BFF" airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. MSN TV chatted with Paris about her new show, her busy schedule and her affection for her enthusiastic fans.
MSN TV: After so many successful seasons on "The Simple Life," how excited are you to return to the ranks of reality television with "Paris Hilton's My New BFF"?
Paris Hilton: I had so much fun doing "The Simple Life." It's great to have another reality show. I love it because it's so much fun. I've had a blast doing this show; it's been such a fun experience.
More: See the full episode series premiere
So, tell us. Just exactly what does it take to be your new BFF?
I just want someone I can trust, someone who's a good person. Someone who I know has a big heart. Someone who is not going to use me.
Of the 18 contestants, two are males. What makes having a male BFF different from having a female BFF?
There's a big difference, especially when you have a boyfriend. That's why the boys on the show like boys not girls. I have a boyfriend. Guys don't just want to be friends. Guys all want a girl.
Gallery: View the 'BFF' photos | More: Paris In Focus
Have you finished filming the series? What were some of the highlights for you personally?
We finished filming two months ago. It was fun to meet people from all over America. It was like being in a sorority with all of us being together every day and doing all these challenges. The only thing that was hard was all the eliminations. I really hated it.
Paris Hilton and the contestants of "Paris Hilton's My New BFF"
Why was that? Why did you hate it?
I felt bad. You get to know people, and every time there's an elimination, I have to kick someone off. And it's just like embarrassing. I would get so red. I was so embarrassed and uncomfortable. I don't know, but I hated doing those eliminations. Then I would cry after because everyone was crying. So it was really sad.
What made it so hard?
Well, you get close to everyone. Even though I had to pick one person, you make a lot of friends.
Did you have a favorite moment from the whole experience of filming the series?
We did so many funny challenges. We went all over the world, like Japan, New York, Las Vegas. We liked the jet-setting, and we also did a contest where the contestants had to stay up for 24 hours partying. It was pretty funny.
Throughout your time in the public eye, you've been remarkably open with your fans about many aspects of your life. What are some of the challenges of being such a publicized celebrity?
I think when people meet me, they see someone a lot different than the media portrays me to be. Sometimes the media make up stories. But I'm a strong person and a good person with a big heart. I'm shy. I don't know, I'm a good person who works very hard. Anyone who really knows me, knows that that's how I am.
What do you think the biggest misconception is about you?
Certain people think that I'm not smart or maybe that I'm spoiled. Certain people think that I don't work. And that's a huge misconception, because I work very hard. I run a huge corporation, and I'm doing so much every single day. A lot of people don't understand that.
Are there any aspects of your life you're not willing to share with your fans?
I'm pretty open. I'm really honest and real with my fans. There's stuff I don't really hide.
What can we expect on next week's episode?
Next week is actually the 24 hour party challenge. I'm going to be taking the kids out and then we'll be going to a country club. There's some fun challenges there, and there'll be a very tearful elimination. The show is so much fun. I've already watched Episodes 1 through 5, and I've watched them over and over again, and I cannot stop laughing. They are so much fun. It's an entertaining show, and it's a real reality show. Everything that happens is not scripted.
What are some of your own favorite TV shows?
"Paris Hilton's My New BFF." Uh, I don't really watch TV. But I used to watch "Lost." I love "Family Guy." I actually just did an episode of that, and it's coming out soon. Also, "The Simpsons."
Having you been keeping up with "Dancing With the Stars" at all?
I've never seen that show in my life. They've asked me to do it every single season, and I always say no.
So there's no other reality show you'd like to be on?
I've never seen some of these shows. The only reality show I've watched besides my new show and "The Simple Life" is "Joe Millionaire." I saw like two episodes of that, and I loved it. But, I've never seen "The Hills." I've never seen like "The Biggest Loser" or "Survivor." I've never seen any of that. I don't have time. I work and travel so much I don't have time to watch television.
I think fans are always surprised at just how busy you are. What other things have you been working on?
I just had a new record come out. And I have a new movie, "Repo! The Genetic Opera." I did songs with Paul Sorvino, Sarah Brightman and all these really talented singers. We put out a really cool album with Joan Jett other really cool rock bands on it. That CD just came out. I also just finished my new album and just dropped single "You Are My Best Friend." That's one of the songs from this album that's going to come out next month.
How did you find the time to do all of this and shoot your new show?
I just literally shoot all day long, and then at night I'll work in the studio. I built a whole recording studio in my house. So, I would record there all night long and then go to bed. Then I'd wake up the next day and do it again. Basically I'm always working. Even during shooting my TV show, I flew to Japan and Korea for two days. Then I flew to Milan. Then I'd come back. I'd do trips for two days at a time.
I hope you get some rest at some point.
Yeah, I know!
Any last words that you'd like to leave for your fans?
I love all my fans. I always go on my MySpace page and read everyone's letters and their posts. It just means a lot to me to have all these people who really understand me. My fans are really supportive, and I really love them. I'm so excited that to that they're watching the show. The ratings have been very good! I'm hoping they're tuning every Tuesday at 10 p.m.
