I admit it, I’m a late adopter but I totes buy into The Hills. Spencer sucks, nothing ever goes Lauren’s way, and Heidi is an icon for female empowerment.

Wait, that last one?

Yes, The New York Times called Chesty McBooberson “a kind of feminist hero” for starting off the new season by not letting Spencer rule her life anymore (or, you know, encourage her to get anything else injected or implanted into her body). So now she feels pretty bona fide about it.

“I was very honored to be called a feminist hero,” Heidi tells In Touch. “It’s a big deal to be even acknowledged, let alone complimented by The New York Times by such a profound, famous TV critic.”

Her boyfriend, Spencer Pratt, was also a fan of Ginia Bellafante’s review — even though it praised Heidi for refusing to acquiesce to his demands. “Spencer was ecstatic,” says Heidi. “He’s proud of whatever I do.”

The 22-year-old aspiring singer and Heidiwood fashion designer says she considers herself a feminist (“I definitely do!” she exclaims), but was less forthcoming when asked who her own feminist heroes were. “Who are my feminist heroes?” she asked. “ Um… I’ll get back to you on that one!”

Oops. I also like how she gives Spencer’s opinion of her and the article without prompting. Woman power!

So I don’t know about feminist, but you know who is Heidi’s hero? Sen. John McCain for president. A celebrity endorsement that he actually ACCEPTED. WTF?

“I’m honored to have Heidi’s support and I want to assure her that I never miss an episode of ‘The Hills,’ especially since the new season started.”

I do not want a president who makes the time to watch anything on MTV. Maybe that’s why he’s not answering the ringing telephone of doom — because crisis never comes calling during the commercial breaks.