The incredible buzz surrounding the release of Paris Hilton’s debut album, “Paris,” built to a deafening roar last week, even before the album dropped on August 22nd in the U.S. Press, paparazzi, and fans turned out in droves to greet the heiress-turned-pop star at a series of in-store signing events and CD-release parties in Miami, New York City, and Los Angeles. Hilton stayed for hours to sign a CD booklet for every fan who came to meet her and offer congratulations on her album. “Paris” debuted at Number 6 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart and sold over 400,000 copies its first week of release worldwide.

On August 23rd, the day the album was released in Japan, Hilton flew to Tokyo for a promotional tour that included a visit to Tokyo Live, Japan’s biggest pop station. Hundreds of fans crowded around the street-level windows to catch a glimpse of Hilton making her appearance at the station. She was then whisked off to HMV for an in-store Q&A and autograph signing for 120 fans who were pre-selected to meet her. Following the in-store, Hilton made a surprise visit to the open air Station Square in the Shinjuku district where she took to the stage to thank the crowd for its support and for sharing the day with her, as the video for her hit debut single “Stars Are Blind” played on a giant screen behind her. Fans mobbed Hilton’s car as she left, throwing flowers to a lucky few. Police in Shinjuku commented that it was the most crowded event they have ever witnessed in the Square.