Dispatches from 'Paris': Mount Vernon woman plotting to win

Vanessa Fontana seems to be a favorite on "Paris Hilton's My New BFF."

The 22-year-old is among the final six contestants on the MTV reality show, which finds people trying to become pals with Hilton. Halfway through the season, she's the only one Hilton has not put up for possible elimination.

Fontana, formerly of Mount Vernon, spoke with the Herald about her trip to Las Vegas on last week's episode, and to set up tonight's show at 10.

Q: According to Nielsen Media Research, new episodes of the show have averaged 1.25 million viewers.

A: Wow. That is news to me.

Q: Has there been any fallout?

A: It's been really fun. I've been getting a lot of sweet messages on my MySpace, requests for autographs. It's the kind of experience that just keeps giving.

Q: In recent episodes, contestants have singled you out: Corrie said you had crazy eyes and Lauren says she sees through you. Why the negativity?

A: I think the fact that at times I may be just observing intimidates people. They don't know what I'm thinking. ... I'm constantly planning. I definitely was participating in the competition.

Q: You had to learn a showgirl routine as a challenge in Las Vegas. What sort of difficulties did that pose?

A: When we initially were woken up for it, we had literally been asleep for two hours. I love to be on stage ... but it was definitely difficult to learn two full routines in 45 minutes.

Q: Next episode, an acquaintance calls Corrie a two-faced man-eater in front of Hilton. Do we hear dirt like that about you too?

A: Um, I don't know if I can give anything like that away. Everybody has somebody come on the show that's giving dirt out, so it's pretty intense.

Andy Rathbun: arathbun@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3455