Paris Hilton, Role Model?

She won the fame game by appearing on the Internet in the buff and bringing her own brand of chic to the slammer.

Now Paris Hilton is trying to convince folks that she’s a good role model for young people.

“I work very hard and I've built this empire on my own. I think this is an inspiration for a lot of girls out there,” Paris told Reuters.

Recently, the heiress was getting ready to judge the Miss Turkey beauty contest and to prove to the citizens of Turkey just what an exemplary figure she is, the would-be singer and reality show actress took to the stage alongside one of the local women and performed a belly dance.

Prior to traveling to Turkey, Hilton visited Johannesburg, South Africa with rocker boyfriend Benji Madden. Reporters asked her about her impression of South Africa.

“I love Africa in general, South Africa and West Africa,” Hilton responded. “They are both great countries.”

I think Paris may have a future as a celebrity spokesperson for Google Earth.

Another one of Hollywood’s “finest” role models is in the news as well.

Here’s looking at you, Madge.

Never one to give up easily, Madonna has yet another plan to establish her acting creds. This time around she has her sights set on a classic film, one with plot, depth and built-in appeal to the public. The material girl is looking to do a remake of “Casablanca.” But rather than having the story set in World War II like the original, the popster plans on paying homage to Hollywood’s current politics.

The Bogie-Bergman revamp will reportedly be set in Iraq during the ongoing war.

In the past, Madonna has been panned by film critics and moviegoers alike for her big-screen bloopers, which include “Shanghai Surprise,” “Body Of Evidence” and “Swept Away.” Seemingly undeterred, she now seeks to play the role of Ilsa Lund, the “Casablanca” character that caused Ingrid Bergman’s career to skyrocket.

Despite an aggressive push, though, Hollywood execs haven’t been too excited about taking on a project that tries to overhaul one of the best films ever made.

Some of them must be thinking, “Of all the film joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.”

James Hirsen is a media analyst, Trinity Law School professor and teacher of mass media law at Biola University.