Perez Hilton: 'I'm a Journalist and Entertainer'
The leading celebrity gossip blogger and soon-to-be VH1 star says he's helped change the way people consume celebrity news. "PerezHilton.com readers enjoy and read Us Weekly, and vice versa."

By Patrick Phillips
I Want Media, 07/16/07


Fame can be fickle. Apparently, so can the infamous celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

The New York University drama-school graduate this past spring agreed to do a student interview for a class project in a digital journalism course I instructed at his alma mater -- then backed out suddenly, saying he was too busy.

Then, two weeks ago, Hilton (aka Mario Lavandeira, age 29) consented to my request to do a Q&A interview for I Want Media.

Maybe Hilton is hoping for more positive press following his recent lawsuit swap with Hollywood photo agency X17 over his alleged use of rights-protected images. Or perhaps he's eager to plug "What Perez Sez," his newly announced series of one-hour specials for VH1, debuting in September. His Barbara Walters-style celebrity-interview hours promise to be like "PerezHilton.com come to life."

The self-described "gossip gangsta" answered interview questions via e-mail in a brief, sometimes pithy manner reminiscent of the bitchy, graffiti-like "doodles" he scrawls across the photos of celebrities on his blog.

I Want Media: How will your VH1 specials be like "PerezHilton.com come to life"?

Perez Hilton: You'll have to watch and see!

IWM: Who will you have on as guests?

Hilton: Lots of interesting big-name celebs.

IWM: Will VH1 get a presence on PerezHilton.com as part of the deal?

Hilton: I am obviously going to promote my own show. They didn't have to even ask. I want people to tune in!

IWM: Will video clips from your VH1 specials appear on PerezHilton.com?

Hilton: Anything is possible!

IWM: PerezHilton.com is said to receive up to 100 million impressions a month. Why is your site is such a success?

Hilton: Because I work hard.

IWM: What makes your blog better than other celebrity blogs?

Hilton: Because I work hard.

IWM: Do you consider yourself a journalist?

Hilton: A journalist and entertainer.

IWM: Does the term "journalist" (or "blogger" or whatever) matter in the Internet age?

Hilton: Yes, I do hold myself to journalistic standards. I will not make up a story just to get more page views.

IWM: What do you consider to be your crowning achievement?

Hilton: Just ending up where I have. I'm a tech idiot, so I still find it funny that I ended up working in the Internet industry.

IWM: Ann Moore, CEO of People magazine publisher Time Inc., said recently that celebrity gossip sites are largely inconsequential and is dismissive of PerezHilton.com. What's your response?

Hilton: I thank her for name-checking me. I'm old school. I think any press is good press. If I read People magazine and thought they were a good publication, then I would probably be bothered by what she said.

IWM: Who has more readers -- PerezHilton.com or Us Weekly?

Hilton: It doesn't matter. PerezHilton.com readers enjoy and read Us Weekly, and vice versa. I love Us Weekly!

IWM: Is the future of celebrity news on the Internet? Will sites like yours and TMZ.com lead to the death of celebrity magazines in print?

Hilton: Nope. I still read the print magazines, especially when I'm traveling or on a plane.

IWM: How has PerezHilton.com influenced celebrity news coverage?

Hilton: I have helped change the way people consume celebrity news. People [now] expect it as soon as it happens.

IWM: Has PerezHilton.com made you wealthy?

Hilton: I'm wealthy in spirit.

IWM: What are the elements of a good blog?

Hilton: A lot of content that's not shitty.

IWM: What can traditional news outlets learn from blogs?

Hilton: Don't suck. Don't think your readers are stupid.

IWM: Any comment regarding your legal fracas with X17 and other photo agencies?

Hilton: I feel lucky to have a great relationship with several photo agencies. And then there's a few that hate me and have sued me.

IWM: Should all content be "fair game" for use on the Internet?

Hilton: Obviously some people disagree with what I think is fair, so I'm not the best person to answer this question.

IWM: What advice do you have for young journalists -- or bloggers -- starting their careers?

Hilton: Work hard.

IWM: Any advice for top celeb magazine editors Janice Min or Bonnie Fuller?

Hilton: Janice: Put me in Us Weekly more. Bonnie: It's time to retire!



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