It's so hard to find good friends these days, even—or perhaps especially—if you are a world-famous heiress.
Apparently, one season of challenges, mind games, and constant video surveillance didn't help Paris Hilton find her one true bestie. But, she's nothing if not resilient, so Paris is trying again starting June 2 at 10 p.m. with the season two premiere of MTV's Paris Hilton's My New BFF. Among the mix of potential BFF's this season is Bel Air native Kristen Cavey.
"I've always been a fan of Paris," says Cavey. So when Cavey saw the application for the show on MTV's website, she decided to give it a try.
"The questions on the application were hilarious." For the question "Do you consider yourself FABULOUS?" Cavey answered, "Of course! I look in the mirror and tell myself I'm fabulous everyday! I love myself just the way I am. I wish more people felt that way about themselves. You have to be your own BFF before you can be anybody else's!" And when asked, "Why do you think you would be a good replacement for Paris's ex-BFF?" she replied, "I'm not in a band, an actress, or a singer. I'm not looking to use Paris for her fame or her fortune like her ex-BFF was. I am an heir, like her, to my father's company. I have my own money and don't need hers. I am looking for a friendship with someone that I have always admired."
Cavey casually zipped through the rest of the application and decided to skip sending in the audition tape. "MTV called me the next day and I was so surprised! They said they loved my answers on the application but they wanted an audition tape. My friends and I put together a video really quickly." Soon enough she was in the running to be Paris Hilton's BFF.
Cavey especially enjoyed getting to know Paris. "Paris really hung out with us the whole time," she says. "She was genuinely looking for some one to be close to." Since the two share a lot in common (Cavey also comes from a family of privilege; her father owns Rainbow Printing of Maryland), Cavey was very sympathetic to Paris's unique plight. "She's been hurt a lot. I can't even imagine what her life must be like. The people who are around her might only be there to gain publicity. She has her guard up, but I think she's truly looking for a good friend who doesn't want to steal fame and fortune from her."
Filming the show was an experience in itself. The contestants, who all lived in the same house, were not allowed phones, television or magazines. "It's like being in a sorority house, but Paris Hilton is your den mother and everything you do is filmed," Cavey says. Before filming started, Cavey was apprehensive about making friends on the show, but she soon warmed up to everyone. "When the show first started I was reluctant to make new friends," says Cavey, who grew up in Bel Air, went to Catholic High School in Baltimore and graduated from Towson University. "However, I honestly met some really cool people that I can see being friends with for a long time. We all shared the same experience that no one in the world could relate to." Cavey is still in touch with many of her new friends from the show, including Paris. "Although there is only one person who wins BFF"—Cavey is mum about who that is—"Paris does keep in touch with most of us via e-mail and texts."
Though her contract prevents her from spilling any major spoilers, Cavey did say that for one of the many challenges, the contestants were sent to Las Vegas. "I had never been there before, and what better way to experience Vegas than with Paris Hilton? We had VIP treatment everywhere we went." In another challenge, all of the contestants (even Paris) were filmed without any make-up. "It wasn't too hard for me, I'm very comfortable with myself," says Cavey.
When asked if she was involved in any drama, Cavey responded, "Of course! I was the exact same person I am in real life that I was on the show. I have friends and I have enemies. I knew I was there for the right reasons, and I could tell who was just there to use Paris, so I made sure everyone knew about it." But despite the highly competitive atmosphere on the show, Cavey proudly states that she stayed true to herself the entire time. "I really want to inspire young girls to love themselves just the way they are. They should be proud of who they are and where they're from. I am Baltimore, so getting the chance to represent Baltimore and Maryland means a lot to me."
Don't miss Kristen Cavey on the second season of MTV's Paris Hilton's My New BFF, on Tuesday, June 2 at 10 p.m.
