Paris Hilton shared that false tabloid stories were the primary trigger for her fallout with longtime friend Nicole Richie during the early 2000s. In a recent episode of “Call Her Daddy,” the two discussed how their friendship soured, leading to them filming Season 4 of “The Simple Life” separately.
Richie, 43, pointed out that the actual reason for their rift might not seem important, stating, “nothing really happened.” Hilton, 43, explained to host Alex Cooper, “Back then, the media was just so toxic, and they loved starting feuds between people because, obviously, that sold tabloids.”
Paris Hilton reveals how false stories caused tension with longtime friend Nicole Richie
She emphasized, “So it was mostly the media just spinning things and creating drama that didn’t exist, which was normal in the 2000s. They did it with everyone.” Richie noted that their young age exacerbated the situation, as they lacked effective communication skills. “If we were hearing something, we would assume it was true,” she said, reflecting on their behavior at ages 23 and 24.
She continued, “We didn’t have the communication skills we have right now to have check-ins, which is so important.” Reflecting on their past, Richie expressed sadness about a time without Hilton, adding, “I think it has really helped me with communicating at this stage in my life.”
She emphasized the importance of open communication in all relationships, saying, “It’s so important to have check-ins and to be honest and real and, you know, tender with the people that you love the most.”
Richie further explained that because their feud was showcased on “The Simple Life,” it became exaggerated and difficult to genuinely connect with each other. She even described the situation as “otherworldly.”
During the discussion, both Richie and Hilton acknowledged that their long history, having known each other since childhood and having families that were friends, played a crucial role in mending their relationship.
“The Simple Life” premiered in December 2003, focusing on their friendship. However, in April 2005, Hilton hinted at tensions when she expressed a desire to have Kimberly Stewart, Rod Stewart’s daughter, as her new co-star.
At the time, Hilton stated, “Kim is hysterical and crazy fun, and I love that about her. Nicole and I have been best friends since we were babies, and I love her, but I want to do what’s best for the show.”
Shortly afterward, Hilton admitted, “It’s no big secret Nicole and I are no longer friends,” adding, “Nicole knows what she did, and that’s all I’m ever going to say about it.” A source claimed that Richie felt jealous of Hilton’s fame.
Conversely, another source suggested that Richie had simply outgrown their friendship. By late 2005, Richie indicated she was unwilling to reconnect with her former friend, leading to them filming “The Simple Life” separately.
Their friendship was restored by September 2006 when Hilton reached out to Richie for her 25th birthday. To this day, the pair remains close, with their new show, “The Simple Life: Encore,” premiering on December 12 on Peacock.
