Paris Hilton's Dubai BFF

Season information

Shooting started on June 17, 2009 and shot for seventeen days. In these seventeen days Hilton desires to find a new BFF in a group of twenty female contestants; originally reported to be ten female Arab citizens of Dubai and ten women of other nationalities, but currently living there. In the first episode, it was revealed that the initial contestant count actually came to 24 and featured women from all over the world.

Hilton had also never been to Dubai before, so part of the show includes her initial reactions to her first trip to the United Arab Emirates. In a fashion similar to Onch during Paris Hilton's My New BFF (season 2), the show features a co-host. Nayla Al Khaja, a Dubai film-maker and friend of Hilton's, filled this role. While being an integral part of the show, including during eliminations and providing updates to the contestants, Al Khaja also assisted Hilton as a guide while in the Middle East.

The series is reported to feature a social event in The BED Lounge, a club in Dubai. Tickets to attend the event were sold freely.

On June 17 Hilton started posting pictures of Dubai and the places she's visiting there on her Twitter page. Parts of the show will probably take place here. Hilton's pictures included a slide called the Leap of Faith and an aquarium.

The last episode of the show concluded with a final shoot in Los Angeles.

Cultural difficulties

Dubai TV executive, Ziad Batal explained that this version "would have to be compatible with cultural sensitivities as Hilton is known for her wild partying." Ish Entertainment co-founder Michael Hirschhorn expanded on this, explaining that the Dubai production won't be quite as racy as the U.S. or U.K. editions. Alcohol, normally a reality TV staple, won't play a role on this version. Swearing, sexually explicit conversation or risque clothing will be kept to a minimum. The production had to receive several layers of approval before moving forward; even Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, had to give his blessing.

Legal issues & delayed airdates

Legal issues delayed the airing of this series for over a year.

A suit was filed against producers by an American woman with no official connection to the program, Lisa Miceli, in June after she felt the show, including Hilton and Ish Entertainment, had attempted a "hostile takeover" of her life, including attempts to interfere with her alleged personal relationship with Sheik Ahmed Bin Saeed Bin Al Maktoum, of Dubai, whom she said she plans to marry. It is thought promotion and airing of the series has been halted due to this, however the suit has since been dismissed, allowing for plans for the series to proceed.

While it was originally expected to air in Winter 2010, Lionsgate Television executives claim producers at Uniqon Emirates, LLC signed a written agreement, worth US$8 million, to co-produce and distribute Paris Hilton's Dubai BFF in the Middle East. Uniqon Emirates failed to pay more than $4.7 million to cover the production and distribution costs and Lionsgate filed a federal suit for breach of contract in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on February 2, 2010.

No official outcome for the suit was announced, however the series failed to air on Dubai TV, the announced original network for this version. MTV, being the original stakeholders for the franchise, came to the seemingly doomed series' rescue. MTV assumed worldwide airing rights for Dubai BFF and the series began airing on various MTV networks throughout the world in early 2011. Producers initially stated they planned to also licence the U.A.E. version for U.S. airing, however the U.S. MTV is still yet to add Dubai BFF to their schedule.

Despite rumors suggesting Hilton may be shooting a second season of the Dubai BFF series in mid-2011, she has since clarrified that she will not be shooting any further seasons of the BFF franchise and that she has moved on.

Status

Table will be filled in as the season progresses and the announced contestants are eliminated.

Key

     The contestant are the Little Star and won the challenge.      The contestant was originally put up for discussion, but the decision was reversed, because won the challenge.      The contestant was up for discussion, but was safe.      The contestant is a female and not an Arabic citizen but currently living in Dubai.      The contestant was eliminated.      The contestant was eliminated by Nayla.      The contestant was eliminated outside of panel.      The contestant won the episode's challenge and was safe from elimination.      The contestant was named Paris Hilton's Little Star.      The contestant is guest.      The contestant became Paris' new BFF.      The contestant won the challenge but was put up for discussion      The contestant was the Little Star and was eliminated. TTYN – Talk To You Never, the goodbye message for eliminated contestants. TTYS – Talk To You Soon, the goodbye message for eliminated contestants that Paris wants to keep in touch but not be best friends, Just Friends

Note

Yasmin, Tarin, Kelly, Liliya, Natalia & Celina was eliminated outside of panel, & was eliminated by Nayla (co-host).

In Episode 4 has a double elimination first part the bottom 2 was Farhana and Marta; the second part the bottom 2 was Reem and Christy.

Dana is the 2 second contestan that was in the final without anytime in the bottom.

Amy was the first contestant that was in the bottom most consecutive times (3 times).

Mandy is the first contestan with most "SAFE" status (6 times).

Marta was the first TTYS elimination on this season.

Contestants

1. ^ They were eliminated outside of panel.