Paris Hilton reminisces about her successful audition for Repo! The Genetic Opera.

The American socialite and hotel heiress rose to prominence starring in the reality TV series The Simple Life, alongside friend and co-star Nicole Richie. Hilton also acted in scripted TV shows and movies, including a guest role on Supernatural, appearing in an episode of The O.C., and starring in the 2005 horror remake House of Wax.

One of Hilton’s most unusual roles came in the gothic rock opera musical Repo! The Genetic Opera, which saw Hilton star alongside Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum Anthony Stewart Head, as well as Alexa Vega and Sarah Brightman.

In an interview with ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender, Hilton, as well as director Darren Lynn Bousman, reflected on the role and how the actress aced her audition. They discuss the complexities of Amber as a character, how Hilton knew every line, and how well prepared she was for the part. Check out the exchange below:

ScreenRant: Speaking of the casting, Paris, this role felt like such a departure for you. Yet now everyone looks back on Amber as perfect and ahead of her time. How do you reevaluate Amber Sweet? Do you understand her differently now, or do you feel audiences understand her differently?

Hilton talked about how different the character was from what she was typically known for playing.

Paris Hilton: Yeah, it was obviously something so different then. People were so used to seeing me with blonde hair and a chihuahua, just wearing all pink.

She went on to discuss the character of Amber, and how the character’s look evolved through her interpretation. She discussed Amber’s backstory and personal life, as well as how strong the character was.

But there was just so much to Amber, and every scene I look completely different with the prosthetics and the different hair and looks. She was just such a complex character, and looking back on her, I can see her as this girl who didn’t really get a lot of attention from her dad. I think she was just trying to alter herself in many ways because she had something in her heart that was missing, and then her brothers were completely crazy as well. It was just this really f–ked up family situation, but she was also such a strong badass in so many ways.

Hilton also continued by stating that she enjoys surprising people, and that she was very nervous about the audition, but did her homework, and made sure she knew all her lines and was dressed for the part.

I love surprising people. I remember going to the audition, and I was so nervous when I walked in to see Darren and all of these people in the room. But I went in there, and I knew every line. I was singing, and I was totally dressed as the character and everything. I just remember just being so proud and excited when I got the part.

Bousman reflected on Hilton’s audition and how he didn’t really know her prior to the audition. He continued by explaining that multiple actresses had auditioned for Amber, but that Hilton’s in-depth research and energy swung the audition in her favor.

Darren Lynn Bousman: I’ve got to say something about her audition, which is pretty funny. Before this moment, I only knew Paris Hilton the brand. I didn’t know Paris Hilton the actress or the person. And honestly, I think any idea that I had about her was based on either TMZ or Perez Hilton.

We had probably seen 15 Amber Sweets, and they were big and relevant names that you would know. And Paris was one of the last people we saw, and I remember when she came in, I held my breath because you know it’s her walking in. There were murmurs and people getting excited, like, “Oh my God, Paris is here.” But when she walked in the door, the air changed because she did more research and more work walking in that room than everyone else combined.

He continued by praising her audition, as well as how articulate she was. He went on to acknowledge the effort Hilton put into the audition and the role, as well as her strong understanding of the character of Amber.

Her audition itself was great, forget that. But I’m talking about how articulate she was and how much thought she had put into the character. This is the thing that I still go back to: she gave me this pink collage book of every scene that she was in. She did a tear sheet about what she thinks Amber Sweet looks like, and I’m telling you right now that more thought went into that f–king book than I had probably put into pre-production of the movie. It was awesome because when she left, everyone just sat there for 20 seconds and looked at each other. We were like, “She’s f–king awesome.”

He concluded by discussing how Hilton “blew them away” with her audition, and praised her work ethic and persona as an actress.

She blew them all away. There was not a second of doubt after she walked in, just because we realized how much work went into prep for an audition for a movie that she didn’t know that she had. That was when I got to see the Paris who was not this brand that you were seeing online, but who was an actress.

These accounts paint a strong picture of Hilton as an actress who takes her craft seriously and is not afraid to branch out of her comfort zone. Hilton is not known for her range and craft as a performer, but her audition for Repo!, a movie that could not be made successfully today, is a unique role in her back catalogue, and perhaps a rare glimpse into the depth and range she holds as an actress.

It’s worth noting that Hilton has not worked extensively as an actress since her role as Amber, and this is hardly surprising, given that acting is not her main profession. However, her role on Repo! The Genetic Opera did give a glimpse that she could have an interesting back catalogue as an actress if she decided to branch out.

With an upcoming voice role in Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, Hilton is continuing to work as an actress, but it’s unlikely she commits as much time and effort to new roles as she did in Repo! The Genetic Opera.

Source: screenrant.com