March 19, 2008

Lindsay Lohan has lately opened up to media outlets galore about how much she's grown and changed following her third stint in rehab, but it seems some bad habits die harder than others, especially when a longtime frenemy is involved.

The comeback-minded starlet supposedly acted up at two freebie-filled events in Los Angeles over the weekend, kicking the drama off Friday night when she tossed a "hissy fit" during a shindig at the Scandinavian Style Mansion, report PageSix.com and E! News.

LiLo, who was paid to host the party promoting chichi products from the land of lutefisk, was apparently annoyed when she discovered the sponsor-imprinted backdrop on the red carpet included the words, "Paris Hilton Handbags."

Seems she didn't want to strike a pose in proximity to her nemesis' new purse line, and her reps promptly requested that the offending signage be removed.

"We were never told that Paris was part of the event," explains Lindsay's mouthpiece to E!, with a spy adding to the New York Daily News, "Why would Lindsay ever walk down a carpet of another celebrity's fashion line when she was never told before the event?"

Another alleged sticking point: Lohan was reportedly assured that only a couple of Scandinavian media outlets would be at the bash, but several tabloid reporters were inside.

The actress is said to have left in a huff about an hour after she arrived, although insiders tell PageSix.com she did manage to score some "very expensive gifts" before her exit.

Paris Hilton at the Scandinavian Style Mansion in Los Angeles on March 14

Enter Paris, who descended on the red carpet a short time later with cling-on beau Benji Madden and soon took over as host.

"I'm grossly disappointed in Lindsay for not fulfilling her contractual duties," Style Mansion owner Claus Hjelmbak grouses to PageSix, before twisting the knife by complimenting her rival.

"Paris truly saved the night," he continues. "She was very gracious to everyone -- and was the life of the party!"

Still, LiLo's rep maintains she received a written apology from organizers over the Hilton kerfuffle.

Lohan also appeared to be in a mood the following evening, when she hit a shindig for designer Wayne Joffe.

FoxNews.com reports she arrived before the soiree began, grabbed some swag and left, returning a few hours later "fuming," ostensibly because there were lensmen on hand who failed to capture her best side.

"Lindsay told us we were being disrespectful by photographing her from the back as she was on her way out," relays a shutterbug. "But we waited and waited for her to come over to pose properly. She even stood by the bar for a while, that's where the money shot was, and we didn't do it."

Spies say she knew there would be snappers at the event, with one insider griping, "Lindsay obviously wanted the attention because she got all dressed and promised to be back. I have no idea why she put on such a performance."

Perhaps she was feeling out of sorts because of her grandfather's illness.

Lindsay's dad, Michael Lohan, informs E! News that his father is battling cancer.

"He's had colon cancer for a while and has been on chemo treatments," says Papa Lohan. "But now it looks like it's spread to his lungs. He's in really bad shape."

Next: Love Bites: Madonna & Guy, Ashlee & Pete