Perez Hilton loves to be hated

Written by Mitch Jordan

The controversial and irrepressible blogger made a name for himself by dishing the dirt on celebrities worldwide through Perez Hilton.com, which proudly boasts the title of “Hollywood’s most-hated website.”

“I’m equally loved and hated but that title was given to me and I stuck with it,” Perez explains.

Hits to his site have skyrocketed to the point that the 29-year-old is now a celebrity in his own right. Not content to stop at blogging, he’s also filmed a new six-part show What Perez Sez which began airing in September. “It’s all about celebrities and me interacting with them,” he says. “I’ll be like the gay Barbara Walters … if it doesn’t do well I don’t really care.”

This irreverent attitude may explain why so many people are drawn to Perez, who considers himself not just a writer but an entertainer. “It’s great to entertain people,” he says. “I love being my own boss. Talking about celebrities never gets boring for me.”

When your life also consists of lawsuits and libel claims it’s unlikely that there would be a dull moment, but Perez takes all this in his stride. He’s only too happy to admit a particular dislike of celebrities such as Mischa Barton, Kirsten Dunst and Jennifer Aniston.

“I like people who don’t take themselves too seriously, have a sense of humour, are talented and true to themselves,” he says. “I don’t think any of those people are.”

As for his namesake, well, that’s another story. “Paris is very fun and sweet and I don’t think many people would imagine that,” he says. “She’s smart and I give her credit. Sure she’s messed up along the way but she’s also created a brand and empire.”

One thing which does annoy Perez, perhaps more than the likes of Mischa and Kirsten is the lack of gay celebrities in Hollywood. “It’s frustrating because there’s so many gays in Hollywood,” he says. “In the UK there are so many openly gay male and female celebrities that it’s not even an issue. I don’t get it.”

Perez is currently completing his first book about – you guessed it – celebrities. While his life has been a rollercoaster ride, it’s unlikely that his own biography will be hitting bookstores anytime soon.

“My biography is decades away,” he says.