Mills keen to settle in US despite being booed

London, April 15 : Despite being booed while judging the Miss USA beauty pageant, Heather Mills is refusing to abandon hopes of making a fresh start in Los Angeles.

The 40-year-old former model, speaking after appearing as a judge at the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas, said that the reason for her to leave England is because people don't like her there.

"In England, people don't like me. But I'm going to move to America, Los Angeles hopefully," the Mirror quoted Mills, as saying.

"I love England but everything that has happened makes me realise I'll be better off in the States," she added.

Mills reportedly spent much of the after pageant party talking to celebrity publicist Elliot Mintz, the man credited with masterminding Paris Hilton's rise to fame.

This has intensified speculation that she is planning a concerted PR offensive to rebuild her reputation and career in the US.

"Elliot thinks her bad reputation is nothing more than a challenge. He thinks Heather could become a big star," a source said.

"After Paris's stint in jail she was getting a lot of flak and now she's more in demand than ever. There are a lot of agents in LA who would represent Heather for nothing as they know her notoriety could end up being very profitable.

"Look at Fergie - when she left the UK she wasn't exactly popular with the Brits but America embraced her," the source added.

ANI