KEY POINTS:
From glamour to slammer, the soap opera that is Paris Hilton's incarceration has captivated the world.
A judge last week ordered Paris back to jail to serve the rest of her 45-day sentence, after what can only be described as a frenzied series of events that saw the
fallen socialite released from prison, only to be sent back to jail the following day.
Paris' jailbird shenanigans have polarised opinion - while some hail her a hero for facing up to her crime, others condemn her for using her celebrity status to manipulate the legal system.
Paris' early release caused outrage across America and has been widely described as "celebrity justice".
Paris on Paris: "Being in jail is by far the hardest thing I have ever done," she said. "During the past several days, I have had a lot of time to think and I believe that I am learning and growing from this experience.
"I very much appreciate all of their good wishes and hope they will keep their letters coming."
"Thank you as well to my family who has always stood by me. I love you and miss you so much!"
Hilton neighbour Anne Goursaud: "I think the whole world has descended on our neighbourhood. What is my life going to be like for the next 40 days? It's like the age of superficiality."
Jerry Oppenheimer, author of The House of Hilton: "I'm not shocked. She has been living the high life since her mother called her 'star' for the first time when she was one month old. One can assume it would be quite hard for her to live in a 12 by 9 foot cell, getting hotdogs for dinner, not being able to party. I think it is obscene that her attorney and psychiatrist were able to pull off this deal for her to be at home rather than behind bars."
Rosie O'Donnell: "Paris is free/ praise the lord/ as America awakens/ from a deep sleep."
Frank Griffin, co-owner of paparazzi agency Bauer-Griffin: "I knew she wouldn't stay [in jail]. . . They aren't going to waste that kind of money on her."
LA County Supervisor Mike Antonovich: "Her early release was a mockery of due process". "You're dealing with a spoiled brat acting out to get her way instead of serving her time."
Celebrity expert, Michael Levine: "It is a miscarriage of justice that sends a horrible signal to society. We are the laughing stock of the nation, if not the world."
Writer Dominick Dunne: "I wanted to see this. I think it's completely, utterly fascinating. She's one of the most famous women in the world for going to parties. It's a great career.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck, The View presenter: "If you're rich and you're hot [then] we'll let you off the hook."
Don King, boxing promoter: "I love Paris Hilton, and I'm just delighted, ecstatic that she's out of jail."
- NZHERALD STAFF
