Believe it or not Paris Hilton has almost completed her debt to society (well, at least for driving with a suspended license). In less than 60 hours the hotel heiress will be sprung from the slammer… and then the real (media) circus will begin.
Speaking of the media… The New York Post is reporting that NBC has agreed to fork over as much as $1 million for Paris Hilton’s first post-jail interview. Network execs say the interview will appear on the “Today” show and be conducted by Meredith Vieira the day after the blonde socialite is freed.
If you are shocked by the news consider how Barbara Walters feels. You’ll recall that Walters, who on countless occasions bragged that she was a “good friend” of Paris’s mommy, Kathy was the only journalist the 26-year-old jailbird spoke with (via phone) during her time behind bars. According to the Post, NBC’s deal has “infuriated” ABC executives who were banking on broadcasting Hilton’s first remarks as a free woman. (Perhaps, they should have dug deeper into their bank and pulled out more dough—the execs should know by now that with Paris Hilton money talks—or at least in this case gets her to talk.)
According to the paper, a big wig at NBC personally called Hilton’s father Rick and made the pitch. One more note about the still unconfirmed interview: Hilton reportedly agreed to the interview, but said she’d only speak with Vieira because of “disparaging” remarks “Today” co-host Matt Lauer has made about her.
Well, he may not be a journalist, but he did score a phone call from Paris yesterday. I’m talking about E! News’s Ryan Seacrest. In an interview from jail the celebutante claims she she’s a changed woman who now appreciates “things I took for granted” and plans to use her fame “in a good way.”
“I’m so much more grateful for everything that I have, even just to have a pillow at night or food,” Hilton told Seacrest in a phone conversation from Century Regional Correctional Facility.
Hilton also detailed her life behind bars and how “difficult” it has been. “I am behind glass and I want to give my dad a big hug and they won’t even let me do that,” the party princess told Seacrest. She later added: “I’m not a criminal, I’m not dangerous, so it makes me feel like that. It’s hard but I’m stronger everyday.”
As for what the reality TV star is most looking forward to doing once she is out of jail, Hilton says: “I just can’t wait to see my family and have a nice meal and be in my own bed.”
Spoken like a true convert.
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