She's rich, beautiful and has managed to trun herself into a TV star, thanks to her hit show The Simple Life.  As heiress Paris Hilton and best pal Nicole Ritchie return to the Seven Network in The Simple Life2:  Road Trip, She tells New Idea about crazed fans, nudists and that 'feud' with Nicole.

What's your role in House of Wax?

I am one of the leads with Elisha Cuthbert and Chad Michael Murray.  It's a remake of an old Vincent Price movie.

Did you like Australia?

I love it.  I had a great time.  We were on the Gold Coast.  On my days off I'd go to the zoo and see koalas and kangaroos.  I love animals so that was great.

Did crowds follow you everywhere?

It's crazy.  More than LA.  Australians really like me.  But everyone is really nice.

No scary incidents?

Well, I had four bodyguards, but there would be people proposing marrage to me and doing weird things like that.

Any funny moments?

I went to this girl's birthday party.  She was 13, and they sent me an invitation because they heard I was in town.  I didn't know her.  I just showed up as a surprise.  It was a 'dress up as Paris' party, so everyone was dressed up like me.  It was so funny... wearing the Von Dutch hats and the costumes I wore on the show.  It was so cute.  They were all screaming.

What's this season of the show like?

So much better and so much funnier than the first season.  Nicole and I are on the road and there are no rules.  We are by ourselves and going and staying with all these different families... it's just funny.  People get to see how people are in different parts of America.

Can you laugh at yourself?

Totally.  It's like reliving it when I watch it.

Any strange scenarios?

We went to a nudist colony, and it was so funny because everyone was so old and walking around without clothes on.  It was the weirdest place I've ever seen.  People would ride on their bikes naked.

Did you have to be naked?

No way!  They said that first and I said: 'Are you crazy?' I would never do that.

What about reports that you and co-star Nicole Ritchie don't get along anymore?

I don't know where that came from.  Nicole and I have been best friends forever and we have never gotten in a fight once in our lives.  She is like my closest friend in the world.  I just love her to death.  If we have problems.  I just love her to death.  If we have problems, we talk.

How has the show changed your life?

I have no privacy anymore!  But people say it makes them laugh and I enjoy that.

Are you really the way that your are portrayed on TV?

We wouldn't act like that in real life.  I'm just doing it for entertainment.  I'm playing a character.  I'm not that way at all.  I'm very mature.  I don't even talk that way.  It's all an act.  I used the image people think of me and mixed that with Reese Witherspoon of Legally Blonde and Alicia Silverstone from Clueless.  It's totally not me.  If it was me, it would be boring.  But I am here to entertain.  The show is all comedy.

Do you think of yourself as an actress?

Definitely.  I have studied for years.  It has been my dream for a long time.  This show was fun.

Weren't you supposed to do the show with your sister Nicky at first?

It was supposed to be, but my sister didn't want to do it and Nicole is like a sister.  Nicky is very reserved.

Who are your acting role models?

I like Cameron Diaz.  She is so beautiful and funny, and I love Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn and Angelina Jolly.

Does being a Hilton help or hurt you?

It hurts because people have certain perceptions of you.  When people meet me they are surprised.  They say they think I am sweet, but that they thought I would be some spoiled brat.  I take myself seriously - I have my album and a book coming out, there's other movies I'm working on, my perfume line, a jewelry line and a clothing line.  I'm building my own empire.

What is the book about?

It's called Confessions of an Heiress.  It's about rules with guys and dos and don'ts.

You had a hard year with the sex video being released.  Did that harden you towards other people a bit?

I don't trust a lot of people.  I trust my mum and dad, my sister and Nicole.  so in that regard, very few people.

What about your record?

The first single is called Screwed, and I'm doing a video for it with David LaChapelle.  It's not out yet, but if I go someplace I will have the DJ play it and it's a hit, everyone loves it.  It's about this girl who is in love with a guy, and she is screwed because he's a player.

Do you want to make a name for  yourself away from the family?

I just want to be Paris... not 'the daughter of'.  I want to be successful on my own.  My great grandfather was a bellboy and he started the Hilton hotel empire.  It's amazing that he built this and I want to put my mark on this world too.

What drives you?

I'm working with Paradise for Kids, a charity for kids dying of leukemia in Australia.  I went to the hospital because the kids watch the show and they are three to 11 year olds.  these kids are going to die and it broke my heart.  They were asking me to help and crying.  It's not fair that they don't have the funding.  but they've already gotten cheques for $500,000 because I went there once and it was on the news.

What is your ultimate goal?

I'm doing what I love - singing and acting.  And I want to have a big family and a lot of animals, and just be happy.

Do you like being a sex symbol?

I don't really care.  It doesn't matter.

Do you work out?

No, but I'm going to start working out.  I need to!  I have good genetics though.  I like surfing.  I can't stand being in a gym.  I get so bored.  In a gym everyone is sweating and trying to pick other people up.  LA is great for staying active.

Do you eat healthily?

I love eating.  I love eating Mcdonald's.

Are your younger brothers looking to follow you into acting?

My brothers say they want to own hotels - and they're only 11 and 14!

Is there any pressure for you to go into the family business?

No, because that's never been my passion.  I've always wanted to act.

Do you have an ideal leading man?

Jack Nicholson.  He is such a great actor.  I'm not saying I want him!  I just admire him and think he has so much charisma.