PARIS Hilton is giving music another crack.
Nearly six years after the release of her self-titled debut album, 31-year-old Paris Hilton has finally built her confidence up again to reveal what she's been working on the past few years.
Speaking ahead of her Australian visit to open Marquee nightclub at The Star this week, the US socialite and businesswoman has given Insider an exclusive insight into her plans for her second pop release.
"I wanted to create something completely different than my last album," she says.
"I love pop and electronic music, so I decided this next album would be an electro-pop album. I've been working with some incredibly talented producers and artists to create songs that I am really excited about. I am so proud of this album and can't wait to release my first single."
Hilton has been working on the yet-to-be-titled album for the past few years and her boyfriend, Dutch DJ Afrojack, is producing it.
She's also collaborated with a raft of high-profile artists including Snoop Dogg to LMFAO and Flo Rida.
A release date hasn't been set, although a leaked demo of a song called Drunk Text was widely distributed on the web last month.
the album shot to No.6 on the US Billboard chart and only reaffirmed Hilton's celebrity status. At the time, she was one of the world's biggest stars, using her fame to launch clothing ranges, hair and beauty products and land film and reality TV roles.
But fast forward six years and Hilton now wants to be taken seriously.
The grand-daughter of Hilton Hotels founder Conrad Hilton has struggled in the past to be seen as more than a socialite and Hollywood party girl.
But she insists she is serious about her music, and in her career more generally as a business woman.
An easy target for critics, Hilton has overcome brushes with the law, an infamous sex tape and high-profile feuds to maintain her position as an intriguing celebrity who is widely idolised by young women the world over.
"I love it when people meet me and get to know the real me,'' she says. ``There are so many misconceptions about me.
People assume just because I come from the Hilton family that I don't work for a living.
"When in reality, it's quite the opposite. My parents instilled hard work into all of us and I have been working since I was 16.''
She continued: "Ever since I was a little girl I always wanted to grow my own business and that is what I have done. I work every day whether it is in business meetings, designing my products, travelling to launch new Paris Hilton product lines or in the studio. It takes a lot of work and people don't see what I am doing every day.''
Hilton is set to be the star guest at the launch of The Star's $20 million Marquee nightclub on Friday night.
She's leading a troupe of US celebrities flying in to help celebrate the opening by America's Tao Group (Marquee, Tao, Lavo) including Ashlee Simpson (see below), Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minillo, Jermaine Dupri, LMFAO's Redfoo, Kellan Lutz, Will.i.Am and Abbie Cornish. Afrojack _ real name Nick van de Wall _ will be behind the decks spinning tunes.
"No one gets a party going like he (Afrojack) does,'' she gushes.
"He's one of my best friends, we have travelled the world together and have had so much fun. I have so much respect for him as an artist in the music industry. His creativity, hard work and dedication show in each and every track.''
Just as important as her music are Hilton's other business ventures, she says.
She'll open a nightclub in Manila called Paris Beach Club this year and continue to work on various endorsements and Paris Hilton products.
She says her success is due to "determination and hard work''.
"It does not happen overnight,'' she says.
"You have to put all your mind and heart into what you're creating. My great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all great role models as businessmen and I think I have a lot of their entrepreneurial genes.''
Charity work is another side to Hilton the public does not see much of.
She's involved with a range of charities, from the Starlight Foundation to Make A Wish and the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis.
"It is hard to pick just one charity as I am passionate about so many things,'' she says.
"I love to be a part of giving back to the community. I work hard so that I am able to give back, whether it is my time or monetary it is something will always be important to me.'''
