If you work on a website, you have access to interesting information on reader habits. You know how many people are reading a certain article at any given time. You know when a new show has debuted, because suddenly an interview you did with its star is being clicked on by thousands of people. You know someone famous wore a certain designer brand, because an old piece about the garment is swamped with clicks. If it gets cold, people seek coats. Hot, then people seek sandals. And last week, as Made In Chelsea's twentieth series premiered on E4 on Monday evening, the traffic on one particular story made it clear that Grazia readers had one burning question::a['Who is Paris Smith.']{href='https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/paris-smith/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}
Catching up with Paris after she made her MIC debut, it's clear that the model is pretty chuffed to hear that. But this is not actually her first foray into TV. She and the medium go way back. 'When I was younger I used to do documentary and VoiceOver work,' she recalls. 'It was a passion that I thought that I'd let go of. But I'm happy to be back again, and representing the culture of Chelsea.'
Paris was noticed by producers after forging friendships with regulars, like Oliver Proudlock, Sebastian O'Reilly and Amelia Mist, and was promptly invited to be part of the next series. This one is, however, a little different: lockdown meant that most of the cast were recruited to live together in a country house, with Paris dropped in at the deep end with a crowd of strangers. She says she took it in her stride.
'Working as a model, you constantly work with new people, so this wasn't anything I was too worried about', she says. 'And I tend to have a positive mindset, so I don't allow myself to make worries up. If I hear them coming, I go "no no." I also get along well with people generally.'
She is helped in her aims to keep calm through a New Thought philosophy that many adhere to: 'I'm a huge believer in the Laws of Attraction, and of manifesting', she explains, citing its concept - that putting positive thoughts into the world wields positive results - as getting her through life and, indeed, lockdown. 'Lockdown was really intense,' she explains. 'My parents were away so I found myself having to learn to cook, and trying to be creative. And I stopped drinking, which was good. I also focused on inner growth, because I wasn't doing any exercise. Exercise of the brain is better: it takes less time. It helped me appreciate life a lot more.'
Those who have seen the first episode have only began to get to know Paris, but she promises that there's plenty more where that comes from. 'I've watched the first episode three times - it's so exciting to see myself on camera,' she laughs. 'There's a lot of girl drama coming up, that's been teased a bit already', she says. 'And maybe there's some romance on the way.'
Paris is hoping that her tenure on the reality TV staple will enable her to expand her social media reach and - like Winnie Harlow or Kendall Jenner before her - use that as a springboard to career growth and new projects. She's also hoping to do some good in helping others change their own mindsets. 'It would be amazing to spread the message of Laws Of Attraction, and show people how to be confident in themselves, and love themselves, and want the same for other people.'
Beyond that, and beyond lockdown, she has West End aspirations. 'In the future, I'd like to go back into musical theatre', she explains. 'I did some when I was younger, and it was a highlight of my life. I'd love to get back to that when I'm not as busy with my modelling, and Made In Chelsea. I'd love to be in The Lion King.'
Watch this new face. Made In Chelsea may just be the beginning.
Made in Chelsea series 20 airs at 9pm on Mondays, on E4.
READ MORE: 'I Want Christine Quinn On Made In Chelsea' - Olivia 'Liv' Bentley Gets Frank On The New Series
READ MORE: 'There Are Some Major Shockers' - Sophie 'Habbs' Habboo Talks Made In Chelsea With Grazia