The Quad

Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Entertainment

An ugly duckling story is not something one would imagine Paris Hilton to be starring in. That is, unless of course, she wasn't starring as the ugly duckling, or in this case, the "Nottie." That's exactly true of Regent Releasing's new film, "The Hottie & the Nottie," opening this Friday, Feb. 8 in select cities.

Hilton stars as none other than the "Hottie." Shocking? I thought so.

Hilton arrived at the Four Season's hotel in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 24 around 1 p.m., ready and willing to sit down with a few eager college reporters and to promote her new film, which she also produced.

She seemed proud of her latest accomplishments as executive producer, almost in an attempt to prove she's learned a lot over the past couple of years and has taken on new goals, other than partying.

"I feel like if I'm going to be working really hard on something and promoting it that I've gotta be in charge of it and make decisions on my own," she stated.

The film stars Hilton as Cristabel Abbott, L.A's hottest and yet most single blonde. Nate Cooper, played by Joel David Moore, has been in love with Cristabel since they were six but was forced to move away with his family before he ever had the chance to tell her. Convinced that Cristabel is the only woman he had ever loved, Nate moves back to LA to track Cristabel down.

It seems like a typical boy loses girl, boy-gets-girl-back-film until a bigger and perhaps grosser problem arises. Cristabel happens to be best friends with every guy's nightmare, June Phigg, the film's proclaimed, "Nottie," played by Step By Step's Christine Lakin.

Ignoring June's receding hairline and infected toenails, Cristabel sees June for the beautiful person she is and swears off all men, including Nate, until her best friend has a boyfriend as well. Though shockingly challenging, this doesn't stop Nate from doing anything to get June a boyfriend, so that he can finally be with Cristabel.

The film's message of opening up your heart and closing your eyes is quite ironic for such a glamorous star such as Ms. Hilton, who is never photographed looking anything close to a "Nottie."

Still, she admits, "I see people on the inside and not on the outside. People don't really know me. They have this image and the internet makes up mean stories. But when you watch the movie, that's what it reminds me of - how I am inside and with my real friends."

However, the film still portrays Paris as the typical blonde party girl that every guy desires and every girl envies. Hilton claims she will be breaking out of that type-cast blonde role in her next film, "Repo! The Genetic Opera," directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, where she will be seen with blue, black, purple, red and brown hair and will star alongside Paul Sorvino.

As for any Oscars in the future? Don't expect any for this film, but Paris doesn't seem to have a problem with that. "I'm mostly doing this for fun," Hilton said. "I love it. It's my passion. I just imagine when I'm a grandma and in bed and I'll be like, 'Oh let's watch "The Hottie & the Nottie!" she said laughing.

Though the film won't be topping any charts, Paris will certainly not be forgotten anytime soon. Both the haters and fans will be out this Friday, but Paris will always be in our hearts, and magazines.

"I'd like to be remembered for being a good person and making people laugh and entertaining the world," she said.

Entertaining? That certainly won't be a problem.

Courtney Conigliaro is a second-year student at West Chester University majoring in communications. She can be reached at CC638393@wcupa.edu.

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