Thanks to the wonderful world of Twitter we already know how much Paris Hilton loves Dubai.
"Dubai is such a beautiful place," "Dubai rocks", and "Loves Dubai" — exhibits A, B and C from her own personal social network feed.
What we may have underestimated, though, was just how much Dubai loves Hilton.
Sipping coffee, while preparing a few choice questions for tabloid!'s chat with Hilton, my attention was slowly drawn from the notebook in front of me to a small, but extremely enthusiastic, throng of people starting to gather at the front of the Paris Hilton Boutique at the Ibn Batutta shopping mall.
Given the in-store staff had been arranging and re-arranging flowers at the shop entrance for what seemed like an age, I figured they were just curious.
Men, women and children of all ages and nationalities started to form what I can only describe as a small army and within minutes what looked like the entire GCC Paris Hilton fan club had staked their claim on the floor space in front of the Hollywood heiress' handbag and accessory store.
"We want Paris, we want Paris, we want Paris," chanted her waiting fans.
Maria Santos, 28, from the Philippines, showed up thanks for Hilton's tweets. "I saw her twitter account and wanted to come and see her. You only see her on TV. She is so nice."
Joe Cucklow, 42, was begrudgingly with his wife Heather, 39. "The least she could do is be on time. That's about as much as I'm hoping for."
Paula Mendle, 24, waited from 4.45pm until 6.30pm to catch a glimpse of her idol. "She's so lovely. I follow her every move and have always wanted to see her in real life. I buy Paris Hilton's handbags and I am going to buy whichever one she has today. I can't wait to see her now."
Laura Methven, 18, came armed with a giant bouquet of flowers for Hilton. "I just want her to know she's welcome in Dubai. I think she's very sweet. People are quick to judge but she is clearly a kind person. I wanted to do something nice for her."
More and more fans continued to arrive, laden with giant bouquets of pink flowers, banners and more. A blanket of cameras and phones held high in the air, comparable to that at a music concert, flashed, as I considered how Britney, Kylie and Christina must feel.
See, this is where I should probably fess up. The aforementioned ladies are people I consider "real stars". They are girls who have a talent, have spent years practising and perfecting it, and are deserving of the fame it has subsequently brought.
Hilton was never a girl who fell into this category for me. That was until I had the chance to meet her two years ago when she landed in Dubai to film the latest in her BFF series — My New Best Friend Forever, Dubai.
Different
Whisked from interview to filming, publicity stunt to photo shoot I began to realise what this 20-something LA lady had discovered, captured, nurtured, somehow bottled and sold. She was a successful businesswoman.
But even then it was all a bit staged for my liking. Her agent flanked her when her manager wasn't around and vice versa.
This time I met a totally different girl. Surprised and shocked, we chatted about her handbags, hot flushes and even the people who judge her (guilty as charged, I am now going a nice shade of red).
"I don't pay attention to anyone with a negative attitude or negative things to say," she said with a strength I don't remember seeing two years ago. "I have so many positive people around me. People who love me for me, all around the world. So if someone wants to be negative then I just don't pay attention because that's their problem."
I admit the quotes sound the same (they may even BE the same, word-for-word) as two years ago, but something was different in 2011.
Not a manager/agent/time-keeper in sight, Hilton spoke like a normal human being. She was sweet, kind, attentive and, dare I say it, real.
"I love Dubai so much," she said. "It's like nowhere I've ever been before. It's such a magical place. There's so much to do. It's beautiful. The people are amazing. The food is amazing. The people are so wonderful, the fashion. I just really enjoy coming here. I feel so welcomed and the people are so kind."
Hilton received more than a warm welcome on arrival, just 30 minutes after the scheduled appearance time, as hundreds of people turned out to welcome the Hollywood socialite. Dressed in a pretty pink dress, Hilton, took the time to wave at fans, blow kisses into the crowd and signed autographs for as long as her hand could manage it.
‘Disappointed'
With that the crowd went wild and extra mall security staff were drafted in to hold fans back.
"I haven't managed to get up to the top of the tallest tower yet," she said looking a little disappointed. "I've driven by and taken some pictures but I've been so busy. The hotel in the Burj Khalifa is impressive. The spa is incredible and I've managed to spend some time there."
Having filmed her BFF series in the UAE in 2009, already showing in many countries, we have not seen the last of Hilton just yet.
"I'm looking forward to opening some properties over here so you can definitely expect me in Dubai a lot more," she confirmed. "I'd be happy to come as often as I can. I have some huge business meetings set up and there's a lot of interest in doing hotels and doing some property deals."
Hilton checked out her latest collection before posing for pictures with staff and mangers at the store. Loyal boyfriend Cy Waits filmed as much of the visit as he could, occasionally giving her advice about who was waiting for pictures and autographs.
"Today I went to Atlantis again and went on all the waterslides, which was a lot of fun. I think it has to be my favourite hotel in Dubai. It's incredible.," she said.
But when it came to her new Dubai BFF her lips were well and truly sealed.
"It's a surprise, I can't say. I really can't say if I've seen her yet," she insisted with a big smile.
"But I can tell you her best quality is that she's very loyal and she's such a good person. She's a real friend and I can trust her. She loves me for me and she's a very good person."
Gulf News reader Nadeem Ahmad Haji, from Al Ain, still has some brownie points to gain before he gets to BFF up with Hilton.
Asking Hilton if she'd come to a BBQ at his place in Mubazara, she replied: "I'd love to but I have to go to a party tonight and then I fly back to Los Angeles early. I wish I could stay longer. Maybe next time."
Just goes to show — making friends does take time and often means giving people, no matter from where they hail, a second chance.
It's a tweet world
Paris Hilton is a hit on social networking site Twitter, mainly due to the fact she regularly tweets and it's actually her, not an assistant. From malls and hotels to yachts and water parks, Hilton has tweeted her way around in Dubai. Here's what you've missed if you haven't been following her every move.
May 19: Just landed in Dubai... My first trip in Dubai was great, but I can already tell my second trip here will be even better! I love Dubai, such an incredible place! Looking forward to the party at Okku tonight...
At The Dubai Mall Aquarium: So beautiful! This mall is so big and has the best stores! Huge! Dubai rocks! Loves it!
Okku Restaurant is amazing! Best Japanese food and ambiance in Dubai! Love the vibe here!
May 20: Partying @OkkuRestaurant with my Dubai BFF's Gelareh @ReemyPie and @MartitaBFF. Love my girls!
So jet-lagged... Still on LA time. Can't sleep.
May 21: So much fun last night... Wow! It's so hot in Dubai! I can't wait to get on the yacht and into the water.
Dubai is such a beautiful place! The architecture is amazing out here!
Just went jet-skiing, so much fun! The water here is so warm, almost like a bath.
May 22: Good Morning Dubai! Went to bed so early last night that I just woke up and it's still dark out.
Such a long day in the sun, so tired. Going to bed... Sweet dreams. Xo Paris
May 23: Had so much fun all day at Aqua Adventure on the water slides at The Atlantis. I love this hotel! So beautiful! :)
Hey Dubai! Looking forward to seeing you all tonight at 6pm at my handbag store at The Ibn Battuta Mall on Shaikh Zayed Road. See you soon!
In traffic on my way to my appearance at my handbag store at The Ibn Battuta Mall. See you all soon! Love Paris :)
At The Ibn Battuta Mall walking over to my Paris Hilton Handbag Store. See you in a few. Love Paris xoxo
Wow! Such a Huge crowd here at my Handbag Store! I love all my fans so much!!!
I'm overwhelmed by the love from all my fans who showed up tonight. You all mean so much to me! Love you all so much! Thank you! Love Paris
