Paris Hilton, star of Fox's upcoming riches-to-rags reality series Simple Life, is no stranger to slumming it.
But an amateur skin flick may be more than the hotel heiress bargained for.
Reports have surfaced of a steamy sex video, featuring 22-year-old Hilton, which could soon be available on the Internet à la Tommy and Pamela's infamous romp. The tape has supposedly been sent to several gossip columnists.
Shot about three years ago, the tape features the then barely legal celebutante getting X-rated with Shannen Doherty's on-again, off-again husband, 33-year-old Rick Salomon.
Here's a quick recap of the relationship complexities.
Hilton and Salomon used to date. Salomon then hooked up with Doherty and, after a whirlwind courtship, wed the former Charmed star in February 2002. Nine months later, he went back to former flame Hilton, which subsequently lead to a catfight between the two ladies. He has since reportedly reconciled with Doherty.
According to sources quoted in the New York Post who have seen the footage, Hilton "keeps staring into the camera and trying to show her best side?She knows she is being taped, and [Salomon] keeps trying to get her into sex positions that are better for taping, if you know what I mean."
However, the viewing public may never get to see Hilton's come-hither stares. Her parents have threatened legal action against anyone who releases the tape.
"The Hilton family is greatly saddened at how low human beings will stoop to exploit their daughter Paris, who is sweet-natured, for their own self-promotion as well as profit motives," read a statement released last Wednesday.
"Paris is working very hard on her career. The release of a private tape between a younger girl and her older boyfriend is more than upsetting...Anyone in any way involved in this video is guilty of criminal activity and will be...vigorously prosecuted."
Salomon, an Internet gambling site owner, recently launched a too-hot-for-TV video venture called Beverly Hills Pimps & Ho's. The supposedly upscale version of Girls Gone Wild sheds a "scandalous" light on the "saddest, richest and hottest girl of Beverly Hills."
However, his reps have denied Salomon is involved in marketing the video. A number for his company has been disconnected.
Meanwhile, a rep for Hilton tells the Post, "This was something she did with Rick while they were dating, after he was no longer with Doherty, and it was something that was intended for their own personal use. This tape was never intended to be viewed by the public, and it is in poor taste that someone has decided to release it."
(Earlier this year, when rumors of the tape first surfaced, Hilton denied its existence, telling New York magazine that Salomon was "a complete liar and scumbag.")
No matter when the rendezvous took place, Doherty is unlikely to be amused.
Last March, she and Hilton clashed at a Los Angeles party after her estranged husband spent 10 days shacked up at the Beverly Hills Hotel with the notorious party girl.
Hilton had allegedly left threatening messages on the actress' answering machine warning her away from Salomon and, depending on the source, screamed at Doherty on sight, "Leave Rick alone!"
However, a rep for Hilton told the Post at the time that Doherty was the aggressor. "Shannen grabbed Paris' face and punched her. Then Shannen followed her and egged her car and wrote profanities on her car in red lipstick."
The actress' spokesperson denied the allegations and besides, "Shannen doesn't wear red lipstick," said the rep.
(Originally published November 5, 2003 at 1:45 p.m. PT.)