Paris Hilton In Town For The Fourth: She Didn't Declare Her Independence From Being Simply Fabulous

July 05, 2008

Paris Hilton was playing her current role in Pigeon Forge on Friday: the rock star's girlfriend.

Paris accompanied boyfriend Benji Madden of the band Good Charlotte to the WWST-FM, Star 102.1, Star Jam concert, set at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge. She tried to keep a low profile, spending most of her time in a camper behind the main stage.

When Good Charlotte hit the stage, Paris made an appearance but stayed off to the side of the stage to watch. She used a small video camera to capture Good Charlotte's performance. Only folks with access badges were able to get near her. She seemed perfectly happy to be in the background and let Benji be in the spotlight. (He could use the attention right now: Good Charlotte's current CD hasn't even gone gold after a year on the charts. It has sold less than 300,000 copies.) Frank Murphy, my buddy from "The Marc & Kim & Frank" morning radio show, kept me company backstage. Later, he and I went to "American Idol" finalist Ace Young's bus, where Ace sang a tiny bit for us and talked about his upcoming CD. Nice guys -- Ace *and* Frank.

After the Good Charlotte show, I talked to Paris briefly. She told me she changed her mind about coming to see her beau. (Originally she wasn't scheduled to join him.) She got into Knoxville late on Friday afternoon and stayed -- where else? -- the Airport Hilton. Because she was got into town so late, she and Benji had to book to get to the concert. They had a police escort take them to Pigeon Forge. They hardly had the perfect ride: They rode away in an ugly and scatched-up brown van. She sat in the back, staring at her video camera. Benji sat behind her, his arm wrapped around her.

She left Knoxville early Saturday.

Despite Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism Leon Downey insisting Nicole Richie was there, too, she was not. I'm pretty sure he doesn't know who Nicole is.

I've met Paris twice before, the last time being almost two years ago when I attended a party at her house. I didn't even presume she would recognize me so I reintroduced myself. She wasn't chatty, but she was sweet, polite and answered my questions.

Before last night, I wasn't in the mood for my Monday trip to Hollywood. Now, after being in the presence of Paris, I'm ready, baby ... and how!