Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's Friendship Timeline: From Childhood Pals toSimple LifeCostars

Mar. 15, 2025

Left: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Right: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie on ‘Paris in Love’.Photo:J. Vespa/WireImage ; Todd Williamson/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

J. Vespa/WireImage ; Todd Williamson/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

The former socialites are best known for their 2000s showThe Simple Life.The series followed Hilton and Richie as they moved from Hollywood to rural America in order to experience the “real world," leading to humorous — and cringe-worthy — results.

But, their friendship extends far before the hit show and far beyond it. Hilton and Richie first met when they were kids, and spent time together as they grew up with their well-known parents — Richie is the daughter of musicianLionel Richieand his first wifeBrenda Harvey, and Hilton is the daughter ofKathy Hiltonand Rick Hilton.

The pair’s long-lasting relationship hit a snag in 2005, in the middle ofThe Simple Life’s run, when Hilton and Richie had a public fallout.

Eventually, the two made up and found a way forward that involved a return to their reality show, support for each other during major life milestones and an understanding that even if they aren’t in constant contact, there’s still love between them. Now, the pair share parenting advice anda new reality series on Peacock.

Thefirst trailerforParis & Nicole: The Encoredebuted in December 2024, with the three-part special set to premiere on Dec. 12.

From their childhood friendship to becoming mothers to their own kids, here’s everything to know about Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s friendship.

1980s: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie meet

Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie.Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Hilton and Richie have known each other since they were kids. Not only are their parents friends, but they went on to attend the Buckley School together in Los Angeles. (Other famous alumni includeKim KardashianandRashida Jones.)

Richie opened up about their childhood friendship in a 2007 interview withHarper’s Bazaar.Asked if they were “partners in crime,” Richie responded, “Oh, definitely, definitely. When we were little, our parents always wanted to separate us. And I remember, word for word, them saying it’s not that it’s me and not that it’s her. It was the two of us together."

Richie and Hilton’s mothers are still friends today. Harvey and Kathy co-hosted Hilton’s sister Nicky Hilton’s bridal shower in 2015, and they’ve referred to each otheras “sisters.“Harvey alsodefended Kathyduring the 2022 season ofThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

December 2, 2003:The Simple Lifepremieres

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie on April 24, 2003.Dan Steinberg/Getty

Dan Steinberg/Getty

Prior toThe Simple Life, Hilton had already become known as a model and socialite, but the show made her and her longtime friend Richie much more famous. The series premiered in December 2003 and brought in huge ratings. The first episode attracted a whopping 13 million viewers, perEntertainment Weekly.

The first season showed Richie and Hilton moving in with a family in Altus, Ark., where they worked jobs at a fast food restaurant, a gas station, on a dairy farm, and more and connected with people outside of their celebrity bubble.

The show had four more seasons which saw Hilton and Richie go on other adventures, including a road trip.

August 8, 2004: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie host the Teen Choice Awards

Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton during The 2004 Teen Choice Awards.KMazur/WireImage

KMazur/WireImage

April 2005: Paris Hilton says she wants a newSimple Lifecostar

Kimberly Stewart and Paris Hilton during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005.Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

After rumors began surfacing about a falling out between Hilton and Richie, Hilton made it clear that something was up when she spoke about wanting a new costar onThe Simple Life.

Hilton had been seen spending more time withRod Stewart’s daughterKimberly Stewart, and said she’d like her to join the reality show.

“Kim is hysterical and crazy fun, and I love that about her,” Hilton said in a statement. “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.”

April 21, 2005: Paris Hilton confirms Nicole Richie feud

David Klein/Getty

Not long after singing Stewart’s praises, Hilton confirmed that there was indeed a feud between herself and Richie.

“It’s no big secret that Nicole and I are no longer friends,” Hilton said in a statement. “Nicole knows what she did, and that’s all I’m ever going to say about it.”

A source close to Hilton told PEOPLE that Richie was jealous of Hilton’s fame and resented her being invited to hostSaturday Night Livein February 2005.

April 2005: A source shares Nicole Richie’s side of the story

Nicole Richie (L) and Paris Hilton during the premiere party for “The Simple Life” on December 2, 2003.Doug Benc/Getty

Doug Benc/Getty

A source close to Richie said that she and Hilton had gone their separate ways because Richie was becoming more mature and wanted to spend time with her then-fiancé DJ Adam Goldstein.

“She just wants to be with Adam and get married,” a source told PEOPLE.

July 29, 2005:The Simple Lifeseason 4 is confirmed

“The Simple Life’s” Paris Hilton (L) and Nicole Richie arrive at the “White Hot Winter on Fox” TCA Party at Meson G on January 17, 2005.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

Even though their friendship seemed over,The Simple Lifewasconfirmed for a fourth seasonin July 2005. Peter Liguori, the then-president of FOX Entertainment, said that the show would go on even though Hilton and Richie hadn’t made up.

“Both have been picked up, both will be ready for work, and we’ll work it out,” he said.

The Simple Lifeseason 4 went on to premiere in June 2006. Richie and Hilton mostly filmed separately.

November 11, 2005: Nicole Richie says she won’t speak to Paris Hilton

Frazer Harrison/Getty

During a November 2005 appearance onToday, Richie was asked about her friendship with Hilton. She said that they “just grew apart” and that the issue between them “just turned into a much bigger thing than it is.” Richie added, “It’s just not part of my life.”

But, when she was asked if she would speak to Hilton if she ran into her, Richie said no.

She also commented on the idea of Stewart taking her place onThe Simple Life. “That was never going to happen,” Richie said.

October 9, 2006: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are seen having dinner together

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie at the Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles, California.John Sciulli/WireImage

John Sciulli/WireImage

They reportedly arrived together in Hilton’s Range Rover and seemingly had a good time together.

June 1, 2007: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie open up about their reconciliation

Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton in Los Angeles, California.Amy Graves/WireImage

Amy Graves/WireImage

Hilton and Richie were interviewed separately for aHarper’s Bazaarfeature published in June 2007, and talked about making up with one another.

Hilton similarly said the feud got out of their control. “There was no reason why we were fighting; it was just silly. We believed what other people were saying,” she said. “People are really two-faced in this town, and they were trying to play us against each other. It made me sadder than any breakup with a boyfriend. It was just like the worst feeling ever.”

August 5, 2007: The final episode ofThe Simple Lifeairs

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie at Paris Hilton Birthday Dinner.amie McCarthy/WireImage

amie McCarthy/WireImage

The series finale ofThe Simple Lifeaired on Aug. 5, 2007. For the last season, Hilton and Richie were back to filming together, and the premiere showed them making up on camera.

“I don’t even know why we’re fighting. I think it’s just the tabloids,” Hilton said. Richie responded, “I just want to let you know half the things that the tabloids said that I said were not true.”

November 2007: Paris Hilton reacts to Nicole Richie’s pregnancy news

Joel Madden and Socialite Nicole Richie at the Launch of Richie-Madden Childrens Foundation at Los Angeles Free Clinic on December 3, 2007.Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Richie went on to welcome her daughter, Harlow Winter Kate Madden, in January 2008. She and Madden welcomed a son, Sparrow James Midnight Madden, in September 2009.

April 23, 2015: Paris Hilton shares a cute throwback photo

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in a throwback post.Paris Hilton Instagram

Paris Hilton Instagram

In 2015, Hilton lost her beloved dog, Tinkerbell, and posted some tributes to the late chihuahua on social media.

She honored Tinkerbell withan old photoof herself and Richie dressed as her namesake, thePeter Pancharacter, when they were kids. Hilton wrote in the caption, “#Tinkerbells ✨🌟👯🌟✨ #RIPTinkerbell ✨🐺✨ #TBT.”

April 8, 2018: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie reunite at an event

Paris Hilton (L) and Nicole Richie attend The Daily Front Row’s 4th Annual Fashion Los Angeles Awards.Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Richie and Hilton were photographedat an event together in April 2018. The reality stars attended the Daily Front Row Fashion Awards in L.A. and were photographed talking to each other. Both women were presenters during the event.

The reunion gotSimple Lifefans hoping for a reboot of the series.

Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie.Donato Sardella/WireImage

Donato Sardella/WireImage

“Paris is somebody that’s been in my life since day one,” Richie said. “So I haven’t spoken to her for a while, technically, but if you really want to get into it, my view of a friendship is somebody that you don’t necessarily have to talk to everyday … The short answer is: I haven’t spoken to her in a while, but we are very good friends. I love her.”

December 3, 2018: Paris Hilton posts about the 15th anniversary ofThe Simple Life

Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie The Simple Life - 2003.Sam Jones/20th Century Fox Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

Sam Jones/20th Century Fox Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

Hiltonmarked the 15th anniversaryof the premiere ofThe Simple Lifewith a couple of Instagram posts in December 2018.

She shareda promotional photoof herself and Richie when they were on the show, and wrote in the caption, “Happy 15 Year Anniversary to #TheSimpleLife 💕 Loves it! 😍 So many fun, amazing & hilarious memories with Nicole.”

Hilton also posteda montage of clipsfrom the series and added the hashtag “#ThatsHot."

May 15, 2019: Paris Hilton gives an update on her relationship with Nicole Richie

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.Chris Weeks/WireImage

Chris Weeks/WireImage

Nearly a year after Richie’sWatch What Happens Liveappearance, Hilton was on the show herself and gave an update on her relationship with Richie.

“I love Nicole,” Hilton saidonWWHL. “We actually were just texting like three days ago because it’s our high school reunion, so she was reminding me of the date.” The socialite added that she hoped to attend the reunion, but was “supposed to be out of the country.”

November 11, 2021: Nicole Richie attends Paris Hilton’s wedding

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie at Paris Hilton’s wedding.Todd Williamson/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Todd Williamson/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

When Hilton married her husband, Carter Reum, on Nov. 11, 2021,Richie was in attendance. Photos from the wedding showed Hilton and Richie laughing together on the dance floor.

Footage of the pair talking to each other at the wedding was even featured in Hilton’s wedding reality series,Paris in Love.

The newlywed posted theclip on Instagramin January 2022 and wrote, “Sill & Bill Forever 👯‍♀️ Thank you @NicoleRichie for sharing my special day with me. 🥰❤️ Love you! 🤗 #Sanasa 💕” (Sill and Bill were Richie and Hilton’s nicknames for each other onThe Simple Life.)

September 22, 2022: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie have a sweet social media exchange

Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie The Simple Life - 2003.20th Century Fox Television/Kobal/Shutterstock

20th Century Fox Television/Kobal/Shutterstock

In September 2022, Hilton wished Richie a happy birthdayon Instagramwith a carousel of images and videos of them together, spanning from when they were kids, toThe Simple Life, to Hilton’s wedding.

“Happy Birthday @NicoleRichie! 💕🎂💕 So many fun, unforgettable and hilarious memories growing up together 👯‍♀️✨Wishing you an amazing birthday and sending you lots of love on your special day!💓,” Hilton wrote.

Richie responded to the birthday love in the comment section, and wrote, “Love you Sill! 😻”

May 13, 2024: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie announce their new reality show

Left: Paris Hilton attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. Right: Nicole Richie attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.Lionel Hahn/Getty; Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

Lionel Hahn/Getty; Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

In May 2024, the former reality stars announced that they would be returning to the screen.

In a joint post on Instagram, Hilton and Richie shared that they were entering a “new era” with a fresh series on Peacock.

December 5, 2024: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie say their parents told them not to makeThe Simple Life

Ahead of the release of their new Peacock series,Paris & Nicole: The Encore, the friends toldGlamourthat their parents were againstThe Simple Lifebefore they began filming.

“Our parentsdid not want us to do itand told us not to,” Hilton said. “It was the first of its kind. They hear that we’re going to be sent somewhere and we don’t know where we’re going.”

Things changed after the show premiered, at which point Paris said mom Kathy was on board.

“But after the first episode aired, my mom called me and she’s like, ‘This is the most hilarious show I’ve ever seen in my life. You and Nicole are incredible.’ She’s like, ‘I was wrong for once,’ " Hilton said.

source: people.com