Perez “Call Me Latino” Hilton

I wrote the following for my company nusletter about Perez Hilton. And here's a little secret: I went on a couple of dates with him back in the day. But that's a story for another post... ;)
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He’s taken many titles, The Queen of All Media, The Gossip Gangstar, The Gossip Queen, but his original alias says it all: Perez Hilton. Capitalizing on the fame/infamy of his idol Paris Hilton, he added his Latino heritage. And he’s been true to his name ever since.

A Cuban raised in Miami, Perez bounced around odd and colorful jobs until he started a celebrity gossip blog that quickly came to be known as “Hollywood’s most hated website” with millions of page views every day. But even as his popularity exploded he not only kept a strong Latino identity, but is introducing bits of the culture to the mainstream. On any given posting, you’ll see words and phrases like “Caliente!” and “Pollo Loco” in his signature chalkboard scrawl over Latino and non-Latino faces alike. He also has a special “Latinolicious” section in his blog where viewers can find archives of all the latest postings on everyone from Thalia to the more mainstream Gloria Estefan. He’s courted and been featured in major Latin magazines such as Ocean Drive and People en Espanol. And he’s the first to praise other Latinos who embrace their heritage. Eva Mendes and Eva Longoria, both out and proud Latinas, often receive his hard-to-come-by positive raves. But once Jessica Alba mentioned in a magazine that she didn’t want to be labeled Latin, Perez immediately christened her Jessica “Don’t Call Me Latina” Alba.

While some find Perez’s posts too controversial, he defends himself saying, “I think Latinos don’t necessarily look at gossip as a bad thing. Us Latinos love the chisme (gossip).” Just flip through gossip rags like ¡Mira! or Fama and you’ll see exactly what he means. But for Latinos, it’s all in fun. Hispanic culture is a more direct one; they’ll tell you how it is to your face. Chisme is simply a part of life…un mal nessecario (a necessary evil).

Nobody understands the power of chisme better than Perez. His comments have helped bash the careers of Avril Lavigne and Kelly Clarkson and bolster the careers of Mika and Amy Winehouse. Other Latino bloggers recognize this same power. Trent Vanegas, a “nicer” version of Perez Hilton, has a loyal following on his entertainment column Pink Is The New Blog. And Guanabee (pronounced “wannabe”) is a more intellectual, those just as scathing, commentary on all things Latino.

Still, in the Latino blogger world, Perez is the reigning Queen. But Perez isn’t all sex tapes and rehab check-ins. He uses his considerable influence to support causes he believes in. He’s right there with every update on the writer’s strike, back-patting Jay Leno for his support and wrist-slapping Ellen Degeneres for her flakiness. And when Rosario Dawson & Wilmer Valderram attended a recent votoLatino event, he posted their photo with a big “Vota!” (vote) splashed across the front.

Whether he makes you cry in laughter or in outrage, there’s no denying Perez’s power in both Latino and mainstream culture. And with all that influence, we don’t think it hurts that he drives a brand new 2007 Toyota Camry.

But enough about Perez. This author is dying to find out what’s new in the budding Javier Bardem & Penelope Cruz love affair…