Q: I saw the ad for your new men’s cologne. Was that handpicked by you?

Yeah. It’s really hot. I mixed all these scents together and I came up with this one, and when a guy wears it, it smells so good that you like, um… Yeah.

Q: Speaking of smells, this is a bad one: In the new movie, there’s a fake road-kill pit. As an animal lover, did you hate seeing that?

It was gross. But it was fake, so it wasn’t that bad. It looks so real, though. It’s disgusting.

Q: Did you enjoy being through hell, basically, for your first big movie?

It was pretty brutal but it’s a Joel Silver film and it’s a really cool concept and a great cast, and amazing director, so you know, it was worth all the running around in the forest, getting killed [laughs].

Q: What did you think when you read the script?

I know Joel Silver and I’ve seen all of his movies. Every movie he does is a hit, so just to work with him is an honor. I thought she [Paige] would be a fun character play and a cool movie to do.

Q: Have you seen the final movie?

I saw it two days ago, and that was the first time I saw it. I’m glad I saw it before the premiere because I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat. I was screaming and covering my eyes because it was so gross. If I did that at the premiere, I’d be so embarrassed. I’m really glad that now I know where all the scenes are, where you like, jump up and scream, so…

Q: Are you at all critical of yourself on the big screen or did you just get caught up in the movie?

I loved it — I just got caught up in the flow of the movie. It’s just a fun movie to watch. [As for self-criticism] The Simple Life is a reality show and I’m just being myself. Whatever. But on the big screen you would critique yourself more.

Q: When you’re an actor sometimes you have to do scenes over and over and over… How did you feel about that?

Jaume [Serra, the director] was pretty good about that. He’d only do two or three takes for every scene. So it wasn’t that bad, but if you have to keep doing it, keep doing it — whatever.

Q: What was the hardest part of transitioning from just being yourself in front of the camera, to becoming this character?

It wasn’t difficult. I’ve been training for acting like, forever, so it was just fun.

Q: How much of the character is really you?

I think Paige is a small-town girl, and she wasn’t really like me. Sort of, but not really. She was more shy, more insecure, and cares so much about this guy, and she thought he wasn’t going to marry her and things like that. I don’t think like that [laughs].

Q: Do you have any insecurities?

I think every girl does, but… no, not a lot.

Q: The movie is all about fear. What personally scares you?

Blood and dead people.

Q: Have you ever seen a dead person?

No!

Q: Will you want to continue acting?

I love acting. I’ve always wanted to be a movie star, ever since I was two years old. So this is a dream come true. I love it.

Q: How grueling was the actual shoot? Were you ever injured?

Yes. My feet were all cut up. It wasn’t a set, it was a real forest and we were really running through it. It was really planned, it was just like, running. I was bumping the trees and I couldn’t see. It was scary. My feet did get all messed up.

Q: Did you get to pick your own lingerie set for that little strip tease scene?

No. I picked out a different one; I didn’t like the red. I wanted pink. But the red ended up looking good.

Q: When you consider a role this, how much do you consider how good your death scene is?

I thought it was the coolest death scene in the movie [laughs]. It was really awesome.

Q: People cheered during it, in our screening…

I cheered! I was like, “That’s awesome!” It was dope.

Q: How much of it was green screen, or did you really have something in your forehead?

It was really all there. I hated it. It was like this big, giant stick and I felt like the biggest idiot. Walking around like that at lunch! [laughs]

Q: Did they make a wax figure of you?

Yeah. It’s at Madame Toussaud’s. They’re going to unveil it and everything.

Q: What’s that like to see?

I haven’t seen it yet. But I think it’s pretty cool to be in a wax museum. I don’t know [what the pose is]. I didn’t bring Tinkerbell to the thing — they wanted to make her too, but I forgot to take her to the thing where they take pictures of you.

Q: That’s how they do it? They just take pictures?

Pictures, and every measurement. Yeah.

Q: Was Tinkerbell with you on the three month shoot in Australia for House of Wax?

No. You’re allowed to bring your dogs. I was so sad.

Q: Which actresses do you look up to now?

Cameron Diaz. I love her. I think she’s gorgeous, and she’s so funny. I love every movie she does — she’s my favorite. And I love Angelina Jolie, too. She’s the most beautiful woman in the world, and she’s a good person [in that she] helps children and travels around the world using her name for something good. I really respect that. I think she’s amazing.

Q: What’s your own favorite charity?

I really care about multiple sclerosis and breast cancer, because I’ve lost both my grandmas to those. And I love working for animals and children.

Q: What kind of acting tips did you get from your costars?

Elisha told me, “If you mess up, don’t worry. Everybody messes up or forgets a line. Just start over,” things like that.

Q: What was it like to work with Robert Ri’chard? You have a lot of kissing scenes with him, and some viewers might take issue with the fact that it’s a mixed race couple.

I’m just doing a movie and I don’t think like that at all, and if people have a problem with that, that’s really sad. It’s 2005. I’m sure it doesn’t matter. People shouldn’t act that way. I think Robert’s amazing. He’s so sweet and cute. I had fun, and I think he was really nice.

Q: What did you all do on your off-time?

We had fun. We went out every night. We went dancing, went to clubs. We actually didn’t go out every night because we worked most nights, but when weren’t working we were like, “Let’s throw a party at the apartment.” I was in the same apartment building with Jared and Chad. They lived a couple of floors below me so we always have parties.

Q: I saw that Elisha was at your fragrance launch party. Are the two of you friends now?

Yes. I love her. She is so great. So cool.

Q: What’s going on with The Simple Life?

We’re not discussing anything yet. But we’ve had a great three seasons and for season four I’m going to bring on new people and just make it fresh and fun. Just bring it back to like, really reality like the first season was. It’ll be more interesting and more fun.

Q: Can you talk about what caused the change?

I don’t want to talk about it. I just hope Nicole is happy and healthy and has a great life.

Q: Are you looking for another movie project?

I just finished this movie called Bottoms Up and I actually have about six other films lined up after this, and I am starring in every single one. They’re just waiting for me to finish each film and then I’ll move on to the next one.

Q: Jason Mewes is in Bottoms Up — how was it, working with him?

He was so sweet, and he’s a really funny guy.

Q: What’s your character in that?

I play Lisa Mancini and I’m this Italian brunet. My father is the head of a movie studio and all this stuff happens, where I leave my boyfriend who’s a movie star, for this guy who’s a bartender from Ohio (he’s played by Jay Mewes). Everyone thinks I’m spoiled, but then I find out I run this homeless shelter and I’m like, normal.

Q: How much do you shoot on The Simple Life?

Five weeks. It’s only a month out of my year, or whatever.

Q: What would your ideal film role be?

I like comedies. There’s Something About Mary — that kind of thing. I want to do a movie with the Farrelly Brothers.

Q: Was it tough to prove yourself as an actress? Do you think people will see you as Paris Hilton, or as Paige?

Everyone who’s seen it has told they didn’t think, “Oh, that’s Paris.” I did the best job I could, and I think I did a good job. I’m excited, because it’s my first big film and I think people are going to be happy about it and like it [laughs].

Q: Are you going to take the whole family to the premiere?

Yeah. I’m excited.

Q: Do they know what to expect in the movie?

Yeah. I talk to my mom three times a day, so I tell her everything. I’m embarrassed for them to see the stripping scene. [laughs] I’m gonna be sitting in the theater like [covers eyes]. It’s not that bad, but still my dad’s gonna be sitting there.

Q: You’re so busy. What do you do to relax?

I love to cook. I love to ice skate, and horseback ride, go to the beach, go swimming.

Q: What’s your favorite dish to cook?

Lasagna. I can cook anything, but I really do cook the best lasagna in the world.

Q: Who was the first TV star that you got a crush on?

Luke Perry, on 90210. Dillon McKay. He was hot. I think every girl loved Dillon McKay.

Q: Have you since met him and confessed your crush?

No. I saw him, but I didn’t like him anymore. He’s married, and I was like, older. And…

Q: And at this point, you have a boyfriend?

Yeah. We live together and we’re very in love and very happy.

Q: Does he share your love of animals?

He loves animals, he does.

Q: Where do you like to go, to get away?

Maui. I love Hawaii. I love the beach, and laying out in the sun. It’s so relaxing. I always stay at the Four Seasons, that’s my favorite. [Paris’ handler whispers, “And the Hilton.”] And the Hilton Hawaiian Village. [laughs]

Q: That thing you did on Saturday Night Live with Jimmy Fallon was hilarious. Do you think you’ll do any more episodes?

Yeah, I hosted that like, a month ago. It was so much fun. That was so awesome to be able to host it, and hopefully I’ll be able to do it again soon.

Q: What are some of your other goals?

I’ve done everything I want to do. I just want to start a family and have kids, then it’ll complete my life.

Q: Is that sooner rather than later?

Yes. Definitely within two or three years.

Q: But you’ve got six films coming up.

I know. I’m a machine.

Q: Have you seen the European version of the Simple Life yet?

No. I don’t really like watching TV, anyway. I only watch Simple Life — I wouldn’t care to watch that one. I didn’t even know there was one, but that’s hot.

Q: Are you still attending as many parties and events as you once did?

No. I’m too busy and tired. I’m over it.

Q: Do you feel you’ve grown too fast, too soon?

No. I think I’ve had a great life so far and I’m glad I’ve learned everything at a young age, because now I can be a great adult.

[end]

Reported by Staci Layne Wilson