Hilton's show in Dubai evokes mixed response

Dubai: Dubai is all set to unroll the red carpet to Paris Hilton. The socialite will be finding herself a new best friend here through her reality show, Paris Hilton's My New BFF, to be filmed exclusively in the UAE.

Are people aflutter with excitement at the prospect of having a Barbie-inspired heiress among their midst? Or do they just don't care? Gulf News readers respond.

Asma Abu Baker, a 20-year-old Emirati student, said: "I am somewhat stuck between not caring and infuriated. I guess with her publicity and make-up, that is all she's bringing to Dubai. But, it is not the good kind& She is not a good role model at all." Asma said that the impact of the 'It girl' was already visible. "Even before her arrival, you can see people following her lip gloss style and her blank look. When she actually comes here, I don't know what will happen."

Asma said that Hilton is famous primarily because of her inheritance and personal relationship scandals - so she isn't someone who can be said to have a "positive influence". "Let's hope she doesn't stay for long! And that she doesn't do any of her weird stuff she does back in America!"

However, Mohammad Zeeshan, a 28-year-old Pakistani, finds the prospect of the celebrity coming here "quite exciting". He said: "Bumping into a celebrity is always nice. You never know what Paris Hilton will do."

Zeeshan said that she can't be a role model to anyone except herself since she "lives in her own fantasy land, and has her own artificial bubble of life".

"If she's still single when she comes here, I would be interested, but a BFF is another thing altogether!"

Ana M. O'Reilly, a 34-year-old American, was enthusiastic and said that she would "love to meet Paris". She said: "I wish they would allow older women to participate in the BFF show, so I could join, too. I wish she would come here more often."

She said that while she considers Hilton to be a "party animal and a cool chick", she probably won't be the best role model for youngsters. "All she does is party, which I like personally, but for a role model, she is not that great."

C.S. Sagoo, a 62-year-old British national, who described Paris as "outstanding and quite controversial" said that he wasn't "all that affected by her coming to Dubai". He said: "We have heard a lot of scandalous things about her from the press, whether they're true or not, we can't be sure.

"If they are true then she's not a good role model& I don't think her arrival would affect UAE as such, but a certain younger generation might want to go and see her, what she is wearing and all. But the mature majority of the public won't be affected at all by her." Svetlana F., a 35-year-old writer from India, said that it was "awful" to have someone like Hilton in Dubai. She said: "Her every move is being covered, what does that say about us and the society we live in? Not very positive, at all."

See also tabloid!

Source: Emarat Al Youm

What is your take on Paris Hilton's visit to Dubai? Would you like to have her as your best friend? Why?

Why do people get agitated or nervous when some one like Paris H'lon is coming to UAE. Let her come and enjoy her self and go back.
Anuwa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 19:04

Paris may seem shallow to some of the readers, and you may think that she does nothing but party. However that is not true. She is a successful business women. She used her name to get in many doors, but she made a success of the opportunities. Paris was in a successful TV show, the The Simple Life with Nicole Richie. Paris designs jewelry, handbags, and perfumes. She had a really good song on MTV, she has been in movies. She works hard and plays hard. Lighten up and don't be judgmental. Paris is a fine young lady. She is a business women. Along the way there are many people who have jobs because of Paris's business sense.
Gabriella Galvin
Lawrence, KS.,US
Posted: June 15, 2009, 16:49

Paris Hilton is self-serving, by according her so much we encourage more of the same from her and others. Stop the press coverage and we stop her. Now Princess Haya bint Al Hussein or Queen Rania of Jordan are people of outstanding qualities and good work and they are whom we should respect and be happy to read about in the press.
Angus
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 16:24

I hope Paris and her entourage have a great time, are respectful of the UAE culture and present to the world the best features of Dubai.
David S
Boston,USA
Posted: June 15, 2009, 15:24

I was wondering why people admiring or interested with her?W/O her parents money,w/o that HugeHotel they own.Who is she? People from her country DISGUSTED about her that much.She is nothing...but trying hard copycat..MEW!
Mary
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 14:45

Waste of time and effort even to comment. She is not a role model anyone should follow.
Menon
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 14:23

After the drunk driving charges levelled against her in 2007 and the subsequent term she had to serve in jail, I definitely don't think she deserves to be addressed as a role model in any regard. At most, any parent can point out to their children with her as an example of what they should NOT be doing with their lives!Besides, her coming to Dubai should in no way be thought of as a social event, since she is planning to invest in real estate sector here in Dubai with the hopes of a good ROI just like any other celebrity who has turned up here in the recent past!
Laxmi Nair
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 14:12

Celebrities like Paris Hilton have a lot of influence on our young generation and are sort of role models for them. I'm unable to understand the positives that our young ones will get out of this tour.
Jahanzaib Hanif
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 14:06

If she is not sure about the security why does she bother to come here? She is not good example for our youth and she should not be marked as a star.
Katarina
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 13:32

paris hilton is rich and wants to get richer through such a show; she has nothing to add to this country or to its residents;
Mona
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 13:24

Why this has to be so much of a controversy. I'm pretty sure only few people will be pleased of her comings here in Dubai, and do we need to ask why?, she is just known as a rich party girl, nothing more, nothing less.
Laila Brines
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 12:37

I don't think lots are excited on her arrival. In general, she is not a good role model, specially for teenagers. She is just only known for her money. Nothing much to admire about her I think.
Thelma B. Juan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 11:30

Paris is fun! It will be a memorable moment, for any of us who know Lady Paris, getting to meet her. It's like seeing Barbie alive, with the dynamics of frivolity and sensual overtures. Paris, the world loves you, for what you are not. That's just a nano indication of the new way of the world.
Reuben Smile
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 11:18

Globally today, people's attention is focussed on 'Survival of the Fittest', not someone who awoke one morning and found herself in an unrealistic, 'money running out of taps' lifestyle. Paris is so far removed from realisms of this world, and I feel she is a bad role model for kids, she should be briefed on UAE Behavioural Ethics rather than a big hype made about 'seeking her best friend', this I find pathetic, shallow and a total waste of time not to mention citing up teenagers to a wrong lifestyle.
Alexie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 10:17

Can't you find someone else to write about?
Vagelis Dedoussis
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 10:16

AwfulNo not at allHow this individual can be a role model?
Nandias
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 09:32

I think addressing Paris Hilton as a "socialite" itself is absurd. I don't think publicities for notorious characters like Hilton should be entertained in a nation like UAE, where women are given high respect.
Martin Mathew
Doha,Qatar
Posted: June 15, 2009, 09:07

Paris is so shallow. shouldnt she learn about the UAE before coming here and doing her thing? what kind of questions are these. she is 28 for Gods sake! grow up already!
Niveen Al Romaithi
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 15, 2009, 09:07