MISS ‘SLUMDOG’

Eighteen months ago, Freida Pinto was a print model and TV host from Mumbai who spoke in a sexy British English and had never played anyone other than herself in front of a camera. Today, thanks to Slumdog Millionaire—a festival hit about a slum kid competing for $20 million on the Hindi Who Wants to Be a Millionaire—it’s looking like she’ll be seated at the Kodak Theatre come Oscar night. As Slumdog enjoys comparisons to Little Miss Sunshine, Pinto, 24, who plays the contestant’s lifelong love interest, is enjoying the ride. “We had this big party in Toronto, and I met Adrien Brody and Rachel Weisz—and Paris Hilton,” she says. Who was the most interesting? “Um, actually Paris. You read about her, but when you meet her, she’s really sweet.” Welcome to Hollywood, Freida. We hope everyone is just as nice.