by Zack Mandell

Created on: October 31, 2010   Last Updated: December 14, 2010

Today, a majority of the faces you see in gossip magazines are there for something other than talent. These publications, in addition to TV and the internet, have proven that you don’t need to be a great actor or singer to get celebrity status. Those with parents and/or siblings who are already mixed in with the Hollywood crowd have an opportunity to join them, and when they do, it’s usually to a bad result. Aside from this, the creation of reality television has people getting famous for things like their luxurious lifestyle, their bad habits, their family drama, and much more. The programs aim to follow their subjects as they live their everyday lives and deal with their problems (i.e. mental health disorders, addictions, occupational hazards, and so on). All this considered, talent is not a prerequisite for a reality show.  The same goes for celebrity children and/or siblings, who don’t need that big break since their last name alone gets them recognized.  

For the offspring of famous musicians and actors, their last names automatically give them a foot in the door. As members of the public we want to see how these lucky kids turn out, and we usually anticipate train wrecks since they were raised in Hollywood.  No matter which way they go, family members of major celebrities are almost always guaranteed fame if they step out with their already-established parents and/or sisters/brothers. When they embrace the spotlight, these people have a much better chance of making the tabloids. Without a doubt the best example of a celebrity whose taken this route is Paris Hilton. The innocent looking blonde gets VIP treatment wherever she goes, and her brand has become a billion-dollar empire.  Paris originally got the chance to party with Hollywood socialites because her last name represents the well-known Hilton hotel chain, a business founded by her great grandfather. At first, the 29-year-old heiress became a tabloid regular as a result of her partying. Her celeb status took off after the Fox reality series “The Simple Life”, which co-starred Nicole Richie, her BFF at the time (2003). Richie was another celebrity baby per say, as she was adopted and raised by songwriter Lionel Richie. “The Simple Life” plotline used the girls’ upbringing as the basis for the show, as they attempted to adjust to life outside of Beverly Hills by living and working on a farm.

Following the show, Hilton embraced her

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