in the 21st century, the term "socialite" is still attached to being wealthy and socially recognized. the lines between being a socialite and celebrity with an exuberant partying lifestyle have since become blurred due to the influence of both popular culture and the media, particularly when the status of being a celebrity is largely due to that lifestyle. celebrity paris hilton is an example of a 21st-century socialite due to her ability to attract media attention and fame based on her connections and associations. hilton is the great-granddaughter of conrad hilton, the founder of hilton hotels & resorts, and heiress to the hilton hotel fortune. due to her outrageous lifestyle, hilton was hailed by the media as "new york's leading it girl" in 2001.