2007-06-08 19:15:55 -
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The circus that follows Paris Hilton almost everywhere staked out a downtown court building on Friday, with supporters of the celebutante toting signs and dancing jigs for dozens of television cameras.
An airplane towing a «We Love Paris» banner flew overhead.
The scene unfolded as people waited for Hilton to arrive for
a hearing on her early release from jail.
A crowd also formed outside her home. Curiosity seekers cruised past the house as news helicopters hovered overhead.
Among the most enthusiastic of a dozen or so supporters outside Superior Court were several people who appeared with Hilton on season five of «The Simple Life,» where Hilton visits a weight-loss camp.
Joey Carmona said Hilton helped him lose more than 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms).
«She supported us on that show, and we're here to support her now,» he said.
Carmona would not comment on whether he thought Hilton deserved a jail sentence.
«That's really not for me to say,» he said.
Arlene Hampton held a sign with a photograph of herself and the heiress and the words: «Prayn4U. Love, Arlene.
Hampton said she appeared in two episodes of «The Simple Life.
«She was very supportive, very open and very personable,» Hampton said.
Local eccentric «Melrose» Larry Green entertained a TV camera crew by dancing a jig while shouting support for Hilton.
«People are just jealous of her because her name is Hilton, and she's part of the Hilton hotels,» Green said. «I love the Hilton hotels, especially the one in New York.
A group of construction workers shouted from the sixth floor of a parking garage being built across the street. But their words were drowned out by the noise of a plane flying overhead towing the banner: «We Love Paris, the Darling Family.
A full page ad in Friday's Los Angeles Times also read «We Love Paris. The Darling Family.» The ad did not identify members of the group.
Several people who were at the courthouse on other business stopped to gawk at the swarm of TV cameras.
Moses Baltazar, who was attempting to clear up a traffic ticket, said he was not a Hilton fan.
She once tipped him only a dollar when he worked as a valet, Baltazar said, even though he helped keep paparazzi away from her.
Baltazar felt Hilton should be returned to jail.
«Driving like that, you have to behave. If you're rich, you have money, you have to respect yourself,» he said.
