KEY POINTS:
Paris Hilton says she will not appeal against her 45-day jail sentence for probation violation, saying she is "learning and growing" from her time behind bars and wants the media to turn their attention to other things, such as the war in Iraq.
So has the media blown it out of proportion?
This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
japan
wow!!Who cares about Paris Hilton she is a talentless, spoilt brat. She should be put in a cell with real prisoners not in a special jail for high profile crims. She is the pin-up girl for all the bad things to do with celebs, money etc.
I guess though some love to see and hear about her hence all the media attention. I cant wait for her book/movie based on her traumatic experience!! (not!)
xin fat ho lee (HOWICK)
Life is unfair.
The world is injustice. just because people have money, they think they can do anything and get away with everything. Celebrities are so over rated.It applies not just in the western society. In Hong Kong, there was star in his mid 20s for drink driving, and he even paid cops to cover this offence, however he was caught red handed but because he is so handsome and famous and glamourous and filthy rich, he was charged with a mere offence and let out of prison. Paris should really harden up .... she is really nothing but trouble, wasting our resources and releasing toxi fumes.
PD
All of the time and energy that is put into covering the antics of this dumb blond bimbo is a complete insult to the intelligence. Haven't the media better things to report on than this?
Raspberry from Brisbane
Chin Up Paris..
Im a grandmother from Ozzy and I applaud your decision to "Do the Time"..Ive also been disgusted at the negativity that's sprung up surrounding your case. I dont think that you deserved what you got ..but I think that you'll just have to serve your time now as the whole episode has become a global circus. You're a lovely young woman and I wish you well Keep strong in there ..the time will pass and then you get to go home.. Hire the right people to look after you and get a good "spin doctor" to keep yourself safe from all the predators...Goodluck Darl..Ill remember you in my prayers..Go Paris Go.
Paris just another person
The majority of people just want to see celebrities get the same deal as everyone else. The press just doesn't know when to let go sometimes.
Concerned Kiwi (Wellington)
This shows the very sad state of the country which the whole world bases its currency on the economic stability of it. Trillions of dollars in debt they now have an even more corrupt justice system. This is a farce showing just how much celebrity is valued in the US. In the face of the countless idiocies that ended up with Paris in jail the fact that she ends up out after three days, due to psychiatric problems. Funny how she turns claustrophobic just as she enter jail huh?
Jax, (Smithsburg, USA)
Unfortunately, a high percentage of our nation is obsessed with celebrity. I, too, read People and In Touch every single week. They take my mind away from all the other problems in the World, even my own. Perhaps some live their lives vicariously through these stars. I'm sure actors work hard at their craft to bring the masses entertainment, for their otherwise ordinary lives. However, I'm not quite sure what Paris Hilton has ever done to become the celebrity she is. Has partying every night become the new form of entertainment? My problem with this is there are so many from the younger generation who see her, Lindsay, Brittany, and others as their role models. Once upon a time, in Hollywood, problems and lifestyles were kept under wraps so as not to spoil the glamorous image of these "stars". Has journalism become a state of "tell all". Seems it has. Seems it's done more harm than good. Not to diminish the fact that Paris drove drunk and violated her probation rules, but the punishment seems harsh, compared to others who have done the same.
Having worked in the legal field for many years, it is not a secret that payoffs exist. Celebrities have far more resources than the common man.
Would it not serve society better to get these people the help they need and provide sentences that fit the crimes?
I wish Paris had been sent to mandatory AA meetings for two years and had to volunteer with MADD for at least a year. Maybe then, she would have learned something and possibly become interested in serving the public in a good way. Celebrities should be held to a higher standard. We hear more about them than any world leaders, teachers, scientists, firefighters, police officers, and the average working person. If we want our younger and future generations to have decent role models, celebrities will have to provide exemplary examples, or, the journalists will just have to stop writing about them. I doubt either will occur.
Debbie (Virginia, USA)
I am sorry for anyone who has to go to jail, but no one should be above the law. The drunk driving laws have become really strict and she could have injured or killed someone. I am sorry for Paris Hilton and her family who are going through this and I am sure it is scary for Paris but, she needs to be treated just like anyone else would be treated who breaks the law.
Sarah
I think it's appalling that she was let out because of her mental health. Please, what a pathetic excuse. How many other inmates have tried that one and been told to deal with it? You do the crime you do the time. It's not like she's doing years, she isn't even serving an entire month! Just because you're a celebrity doesn't mean you should get special treatment. I say grow up Paris and take it like an adult!
Fiona
New rule! From today, all inmates everywhere can choose whether or not they are all too traumatised by being in jail and on the edge of a nervous breakdown and they can all have the option of home detention to serve the rest of their sentence. The world is happy place!
Greg (Auckland)
What a joke. She did the crime, re-offended and now wants to get off the hook? Too bad Paris. If I had such disregard for the law I would expect to be locked up. For those with the wool over their eyes it is probably the best thing that happened to both her 'career' and character.
Mama Mia (Auckland)
All I can say is, "mama mia", and I'm glad this weird young woman isn't my daughter. She's already had more than her deserved 15 minutes of fame. Next, please.
Pro Paris (Conyers, USA)
The media and the public made Paris a celebrity. I don't know how I would behave if I was young, beautiful & heir to the Hilton fortune, neither does anyone else. Preferential treatment is all Paris knows. That's how our society operates. I get special treatment at a local bank because I have $30K on deposit which by the way I inherited. No lines for me and at the end of each transaction "My Banker" asks if I am pleased with the service they provided. The preacher's wife who killed her husband by shooting him in the back got 165 more days in jail than Paris. Someone needs to remind Sharpton that OJ's civil suit found him guilty of a double homicide, doesn't that mean he got away with murder? I vote for leaving the Hiltons alone and letting them live their "normal" life. Yes, I said "normal." It is all relevant.
Nikki (USA)
I think that what happened to Paris Hilton was sexism. If she had been a white good looking man I don't think anyone would have been so harsh on her. If she had been a basketball player she wouldn't have had such a negative response. Something is wrong when random white actors can rape women and a black football player can get away with murdering his wife and the media and America chooses to be harsh on some pretty female socialite. That is utterly pathetic. It has always been a witch hunt. This would not have happened to a male of any colour. This is utterly disgusting and I will be teaching my good looking white male sons to shy away from this type of sick scapegoating in their futures.
Paul
I wouldn't mind thinking Paris Hilton is doing all of this for publicity for herself.
Chief Gadfly
So poor wittle Pawis 'as been locked up again. Tell me, how much time would Joe Bloggs have got for the same crime? Ya think more, or less? I am so sick of seeing Injustice for all.
Zooloo
This whole media frenzy over Paris HIlton speaks volumes about the state of America today. What a waste of print, waste of time and energy. Who really cares about Paris? Our young teens that are brainwashed by the media? The media should just drop her, she is a total waste of everything!
SVV
Blown out of proportion? Only on a nuclear level. She represents use and abuse of the system. I applaud that the judge has taken a stance that is not negotiable. I was disgusted by her early release and feel that at least now a message is being sent that you have a system that works for everyone. Pity the people that take this superficial circus seriously She broke the law she does the time. Take responsibility for your actions girl and grow up.
Christchurch
I like Paris because she just lives for pleasure, beauty and sex and I think most people should. In the modern western world it seems to me half the population dosen't really need to work and their work efforts are probably unproductive and wasteful of energy and resources as much as people would argue Paris is.Paris has been outrageously treated and is just a target for faundamentalist and right wingers. Paris is an iconic symbol and brand of freedom, free love and joy. It so hypocritical and cruel to punish Paris in an awful dirty jail cell and even worse force psycho tropic drugs on her. Paris is not being punished for some minor driving infringment or techniccal prohibition breech she's being done for just being like most rich girls, lawyers and law students and having a lot of sex and drugs and drinking. According to a recent Australian report, every lawyer in Australia has tried cocaine.
Stars Are Blind
I'd rather read about 'real' news like Emirates Team New Zealand's steady march towards the America's Cup showdown with Alinghi, and also articles pertaining to the Rugby World Cup. Now I don't consider Paris Hilton to be 'news', don't get me wrong, I like Paris Hilton I think she's beautiful and stunning and looks even better without clothes on. But I personally don't care about her wasting American taxpayers money by being put behind bars, Americans do a fantastic job of that without her help we just have to look to the Middle East for a reminder. Keep on keeping on Paris. Release another album I liked your songs. I also like to drive a car, and eat takeaways now and again, oh and sometimes I forget to recycle, plus when I go to the supermarket I put all my shopping in 'plastic' shopping bags.
Candi
It is amusing..
But wasting resources as such on Paris, personally I think is preposterous.Yes, so maybe she has been granted "celebrity justice" - but it is not like she is getting off a murder sentence. She was stupid enough to drive though, when she could have been chaffeured and avoided this whole debacle/humiliation.The judge involved has made sure he has used such a 'high profile celebrity' as an example for future "villians" Comical..I have mixed views.. The publicity that has come of this just makes me think.."Ah, the life of a celebrity!" Neeeeeeeeext...
Andrew (Auckland)
How ironic that Paris Hilton was quoted as saying, "I don't deserve this". She doesn't deserve any of the money and fame that she has acquired because of her family, rather than through the possession of any molecule of talent. Unfortunately, this brat will be free in 45 days, back living the high-life, and will probably earn money (from books, interviews, etc.) from her little stint in prison. Not that she is really to blame. It's the public and "celebrity culture" that made this little idiot who she is. Why on earth are people so obsessed with the lives of people such as Paris Hilton?
such a joke
left LA on Friday when all this drama was happening. It completely blew me away how many helicopters, paparazzi and police they had at her house. It was the only thing on the news and the radio stations. Everyone was talking about it. Some family even hired a plane and had a banner behind it saying 'Paris we love you the Johnson family'. I mean seriously she contributes nothing to society and is famous for what exactly? She should absolutely do the time in jail. She's no different than anyone else but unfortunately in LA celebrities get away with quite alot. Most people in LA hate it but there's not alot they can do about it.
Dick from the docks
If you do the crime you do the time. Fortunately that still applies.
Elizabeth Pham
Personally I think that Paris Hilton should have served the full 45 days given to her the first place. As far as I concerned she deserves to do the time. I think that she would be better off without all the publicity as it makes her a bit of a 'hero' in some peoples eyes, and at the other end it could become more of a threat to her. In this case, less is more. I think she appears as an indulged spoilt brat who comes off seeming quite pathetic. She also appears to have no 'backbone'to her personality making her wimpy and shallow. The proverbial poor little rich kid. Not worth all the fuss that's for sure.
T Davis
Money ain't everything and the Hiltons have mountains of it so what's wrong (if anything) with Paris? She's probably been superbly educated but she always come across as....not quite a real person, rather more like a walk on, walk off character in a sitcom or one of those paintings they hang in a loo. Pleasant to look at,yet while you sense the potential, there's something missing and you don't quite know what it is.
Sue (Auckland East)
Who cares?
ashlee
Paris Hilton should do her time like everybody else in her situation. Its not fair on other people in jail if she gets let out just because she is a celebrity. She drove after she had her licence taken off her, so it's her fault. She did the crime, now she should do the time.
yeah right
Could this be the first time ever Paris Hilton has not wanted media attention? Looks like a taste of her own medicine to me.
Fairness to others
Paris Hilton wonders why she has gained so much media attention? She continuously likes to be brash and known as the pretend bad girl in the party scene and now she really is! She is in a place where her celebrity status, for once in her life, isn't making any difference. She is nothing more than a spoilt child and it is about time she took responsibility for her self inflicted ridiculous behaviour which was hardly necessary for someone who could afford a personal driver or a taxi home without the need to be driving.Others lose their licenses for these type of offences and have to catch the bus for 6 months in NZ.
