Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie: That was the reason for their famous argument

Paris Hilton (43) and Nicole Richie (43) have revealed for the first time what was behind their argument, which almost led to the end of their joint reality show “The Simple Life” in the 2000s. The two spoke to presenter Alex Cooper (30) about the reasons. Above all, misunderstandings and the pressure of fame played a central role in the dispute between the childhood friends. Among other things, the two didn’t speak to each other for a year.

“Nothing really happened,” Richie admits. “Back then the media was just so toxic and they loved to start feuds between people because that obviously sold tabloids,” Hilton adds. “So it was mostly the media twisting things and creating drama that didn’t exist. In the 2000s, that was normal. They did it to everyone.”

What’s more, the two were in their mid-twenties and “didn’t know how to communicate with each other,” says Richie. “When we heard something about each other, we assumed it was true.” They “didn’t have the communication skills” to coordinate.

Today it makes both of them sad to think about that time. They learned to speak openly to one another. “I think that in all relationships it’s so important to reach out and be honest and real, to be tender with the people you love the most,” says Nicole Richie.

Because their argument was partly played out publicly in “The Simple Life” (the two filmed season four separately and as competitors), the whole thing “developed into something big that it became impossible to establish a connection to it or a to develop a real feeling for it”.

For the final, fifth season of the reality show, in which the Hilton hotel heiress and the daughter of Lionel Richie (75) had to get to know the “simple life” in different everyday situations, the two reconciled and appeared in front of the camera together again. The reconciliation happened simply because the two had known each other since they were two years old and their families had also been friends for a long time.

“The Simple Life” premiered in the USA in 2003. In April 2005, Paris Hilton said she wanted to replace Richie with Rod Stewart’s (79) daughter Kimberly (45). “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,” she said at the time, admitting a few days later: “It’s no big secret that Nicole and I’m not friends anymore. Nicole knows what she did and that’s all I’ll ever say about it.” Insiders rumored at the time that Richie was “jealous” of Hilton’s fame.

Richie and Hilton have been close friends again since they got together for the final season in 2007. This Thursday (December 12th) the duo is even returning to the screens with a remake of the show.