Profile Post: Perez Hilton
For years now, I have been following the infamous celebrity gossip blogger, Perez Hilton. Hilton is a thirty-eight-year-old American blogger who known for covering the juiciest Hollywood gossip. Whether it’s a celebrity scandal, breakup, or breakdown, Hilton will not spare you any details — he always has the 4–1–1. Hilton is a Cubano and Miami native, but now resides in Hollywood with his mini-Goldendoodle, Teddy Hilton. Hilton’s blog site, PerezHilton.com has become an incredible success over the years, garnering more than 300 million hits a month! Hilton’s witty way with words has landed his work in/on the L.A. Times, The View, E!, Time, Paper Magazine, and many more well-known establishments. The Los Angeles Times describes Hilton “like US Weekly, the Star, the Enquirer and Life & Style all rolled into one sweet yet snarky, sagacious yet salacious gay man.” Hilton seeks to expose all of Hollywood’s deepest, darkest secrets, and does so in the most captivating, entertaining manner.
Hilton first launched his website in 2004, and has been blogging about the trendiest celebrity topics ever since. Anything and everything that has to do with the hottest celebrities in Hollywood, Hilton will have covered on his website. Not only can you look to catch up on the latest celebrity gossip, but you can also learn a little bit about the man behind the gossip, Perez Hilton himself. Hilton’s blog posts are not merely fact sheets about whatever the “it” celebrity gossip is at the moment, but they are also a way for Hilton to express his own opinions on the matter. Hilton’s voice shines through in every single blog he writes. For instance, in a blog just posted today titled “‘Legally Blind’ Bill Cosby’s Attorneys Argue The Defamed Actor Isn’t Able to Defend Himself As He Can’t Identify His Accusers — THE F*CKERY!” the title in itself expresses the opinion of Hilton. Hilton goes on to address the matter, but adding “Merp.” when he is done, making the post more of a light read. In another blog post that was also posted today titled “Mariah Carey Is Demanding Ex-Fiancee James Packer Pays Her $50 Million Following Their Contentious Split & She’s Still Wearing The Engagement Ring — Wait, WHAT?” Perez expresses his astonishment regarding the prolonged split of this celebrity couple. While also stating the facts and recapping what is going on in the divorce case, he uses phrases like “Why on Earth” and “Hmm, go on” to add his own pop of color to the post.
Hilton posts dozens upon dozens of blogs a day! Which does lead me to think that he must have dozens upon dozens of people working for him. However, it is meant to be perceived that Perez Hilton himself is (and has the time to be) writing these blog posts. Thus, the ghost bloggers would have to have mastered the writing style of Hilton, making the posts appear to be as authentic as possible. The posts are short, sweet, and too the point, yet succeed in covering all the necessary information need regarding the celebrity news, and does not pale in the entertainment aspect. This style of writing is key in keeping readers engaged, especially easily distracted millenials. Seeing as the gossip blog is a website as well as an app, meaning it can be accessed via laptop or mobile device, readers also have the temptations of other websites and apps to draw them away from Perez Hilton’s blog. Therefore, keeping the posts short to fit the attention span of most readers, is a necessary tactic to keep readers engaged. To further prove the benefits of this tactic are the stats. Every day, the website reigns in an average of around 15 million hits! Needless to say, Perez Hilton has mastered the art of the gossip blog.
