MICHELLE JUERGEN | staff writer

Paris' trip to Rwanda is simply a ploy for the spotlight.

So, like, Paris Hilton wanted to go to Rwanda, to like, help people, but her trip got, like, postponed and stuff. And that’s like, so sad, right?

After her time in jail Hilton told the media she was a changed woman.

“Before, my life was about having fun, going to parties – it was a fantasy,” she told Newsweek. “But when I had time to reflect, I felt empty inside. I want to leave a mark on the world.”

What better place to make your mark than in Rwanda?

“I know [Rwanda] went through a lot of traumatic experiences, and I feel like if I go there, I can help save some people’s lives,” Hilton said.

Well said, Paris. You really are a lifesaver. Makeovers and trendy clothes are a definite must for genocide victims. Maybe they’ll start wearing velour sweatsuits and dressing their pets in tiny matching outfits.

The Playing for Good Foundation, the charity Hilton was going through, postponed her plans for a November trip until sometime next year. On her itinerary were visits to schools and health-care clinics, and a meeting with Nelson Mandela.

Shoot, what will the Rwandans do now? Go on with their lives? Receive help from more capable people? Mandela must be crushed.

Don’t get me wrong. My heart is swelling with admiration for Princess Paris. She had a really rough 23 days in jail after violating probation in a drunk-driving case, and she had to, like, use a grody jail cell toilet, so, she like, totally knows what hard living is.

My thoughts are that it is all a ploy. This trip sounds like a publicity stunt to redirect attention from Nicole Richie’s pregnancy with Joel Madden. Paris has had less media interest since the baby rumors, and this would be the perfect way to get back at Richie for what she did (and she knows what she did).

A do-good trip to Rwanda would be a better self-promotional effort than, say, One Night in Paris. This socialite-turned-humanitarian could definitely use an image boost, especially since her music album, acting career and perfume all stink. Although, her autobiographical book, “Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose,” did become a New York Times bestseller (How? Why?)

I’ll cut the sarcasm for a second. I do believe that people can change, and I have no way of knowing what Paris Hilton’s heart really looks like (although I have a feeling it is covered in rhinestones and Hello Kitty stickers). Maybe she does feel compelled to go to Rwanda. Maybe she has an honest desire to help other people through charity work. Maybe she wants to become a philanthropic role model for the younger generation.

Intentions are different than actions, though. Paris could have the most honorable, genuine intentions in the world, but they don’t matter if she doesn’t put them into play. I can’t help being skeptical of the postponement, either. It’s possible that Hilton wanted to back out of the trip. In her Newsweek interview, she acknowledged that she was scared to go because she heard it was dangerous to go to the country.

Rwanda still struggles today to heal and rebuild from the genocide of 13 years ago. Efforts to rebuild education and healthcare, and to take care of the refugees and the generation of children left orphaned from the slaughters are still being made.

Hilton said she chose Rwanda because, if she goes, it will bring more attention to what people can do to help. Which means instead of “Look at the issues in Rwanda,” people will be thinking, “Paris Hilton is in Rwanda?” The press coverage will be all about her, if she ultimately ends up going, which makes a mockery of the concerns of the troubled country.

When has Paris Hilton ever been taken seriously? Despite possibly good-hearted intentions, her mere presence in the country might simply draw a laugh and nothing more.

Until Hilton backs up her altruistic words with physical evidence I won’t believe it. I’ll focus all my efforts on trying not to wonder what Richie is going to name her baby (Prada? Coach? Jimmy Choo?).