Madam
tells all, almost in 'Pandering'
Discussion:
Hollywood madam, Heidi Fleiss gave a candid
sit-down with the public at the Library
Coffee Shop in Long Beach to discuss her
new book, "Pandering."
By
Daniel Frias
On-line Forty-Niner
These
days it seems like everybody is eager
to share his or her life story. Politicians,
journalists sports athletes, musicians,
actors, and celebrities have all written
books.
Even
Hollywood's most infamous madam has gotten
into the act. Heidi Fleiss, who became
famous in Hollywood for running an illegal
sex business in the 90s, has written,
"Pandering," a tell-all book
about her life.
The
Hollywood madam, who has her own radio
show in San Diego "Sex Advice with
Heidi Fleiss," was at The Library
Coffee Shop in Long Beach Saturday to
discuss and sign copies of her new book.
The
book is not necessarily an autobiography.
It is more like a giant scrapbook filled
with sexy pictures, court documents, newspaper
clippings, arrest warrants and testimonials
from other call girls. "Pandering"
also includes quotes from Fleiss' philosophy
on life, friendship, betrayal, loyalty,
relationships, sex and her definition
of prostitution.
One
quote in her book reads: "When a
girl has sex for money and gets paid for
it, most people call it prostitution and
thinks its ugly. It is really an act of
caring and consideration, it shows the
man cares about her bills getting paid,
and cares that she has nice things like
cars and clothing to make her life easier."
A
charming 38-year-old Fleiss was very candid
and friendly in discussing her life, her
sex business, her family and anything
else people at the coffee shop had questions
about.
Fleiss
was asked about how she got into the business,
but was very vague in fully answering
the question.
"I
was 17, lying in my bed in room saying
to myself 'Why can't I be more like Dolly
Parton.' I was flat chested. I had no
figure," she said.
She
went on to say that she never intended
on becoming a madam, but that at a young
age she showed signs of being a businesswoman.
"At
13 I had 20 to 30 girls working for me
as babysitters," Fleiss said. "I
didn't advertise in the yellow pages.
I started from the ground up and word
spread. My job was to provide a service
and I provided it. I paid for that."
When
asked about whether her family knew what
she was doing for a living: "Yeah
they all participated," she joked.
"No, of course not. They didn't find
out until I got arrested."
Fleiss
was arrested for pandering, money laundering
and tax evasion in 1997 and served almost
two years in prison.
"I
had a great childhood. I love my parents.
They gave me a childhood every kid dreams
of," she
said. "I don't blame my parents.
No one can make you do anything."
Fleiss,
who will open a new Hollywood store, "Hollywood
Madams" in four weeks said everything
is chronicled in her book, everything
that is, except her client list. That
is something Fleiss doesn't plan on ever
revealing.
"I'm
never going to tell. No matter how much
money you offer me."
"At
13 I had 20 to 30 girls working for me
as babysitters. I didn't advertise in
the yellow pages. I started from the ground
up and word spread."
-- Heidi Fleiss
