A celebrity birthday bash is a hotbed of rumor and rumor-squashing interaction. It is at these hot spot gatherings that the tabloids and public can figure out who is speaking, not speaking, dating, or breaking up. Who is snubbing whom? Who is getting closer? It all becomes apparent at a good old fashioned celebrity birthday.

The Paris Hilton – Nicole Richie feud or friendship rumors are a fantastic example of celebrity birthdays as gossip fodder. Recently, Richie celebrated her 24th birthday at Mr. Chow. There, her rumored to be on the outs Simple Life co-star did make an appearance. Hilton even went over and said to hello to the Richie table. This simple appearance and polite greeting has sent the tabloids into a frenzy. So are the former best pals back on speaking terms? The questions have not been answered completely, but the celebrity party certainly brought the rumors either way back to the surface of celebrity news.

Friends of both Hilton and Richie, since the appearance together at the party, have been hounded by magazines and celebrity television shows. Perhaps this simple encounter is too much. As Richie’s birthday week went on, Hilton was nowhere else to be found. The point is, though, that it was a high profile celebrity birthday bash that was kindling for the rumor fires in the media. Why not, aren’t celebrities birthdays all about getting them back into the spotlight?

In the end, celebrity birthday bashes are just about fuel for the fires of celebrity. Take away the money and the one mediocre television show and Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton are really just famous for being famous. Taking the time to make sure their names appear back in the headlines is all about rumors. Where is the best place to start a rumor? Try a celebrity birthday.