Assembling celebrity Paris Hilton taps her talent for manufacturing fame
Jaimee Rose
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 18, 2005 12:00 AM

How did Paris Hilton happen?

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Paris Hilton: She can't milk a cow, but boy can she milk America.

The name Paris is No. 156 on the list of most popular baby names, up from No. 508 in 2001, according to the Social Security Administration.

You kind of feel sorry for all those people out there named after the other famous Paris - Helen of Troy's lover in The Iliad - since most of them happen to be men.

"It's kind of embarrassing to be a male Paris," says Paris Elwood McGee, 43, of Mesa. "I'd go by Elwood, but that's worse than Paris."

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Like 'Teflon'

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"She's sort of like the Teflon celebrity," he says. After all, it's not like she has a dignified acting or singing career to protect. She is famous for playing someone who milks a cow in a miniskirt.

Paris Hilton: She did not graduate from a high school, but got her G.E.D.**

"The funny thing is, she's making millions of dollars. It's Paris Incorporated. She's not stupid," says Lee. "If you asked her to name all the 50 state capitals, I'm sure she would look at you with a blank stare. But if you asked her the most effective way to launch a product to young women, she would know exactly what to do.

"When it comes to fame IQ, she's like a genius."

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0618hilton0618.html

** G.E.D. - General Educational Development Testing Service
"Your ticket to success ..."

http://www.passged.com