Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s bond runs deeper than just a friendship—it’s a sisterhood. Having known each other since childhood in Los Angeles, the two socialites turned business moguls have navigated decades of personal and professional milestones together. From their iconic roles in the hit reality series The Simple Life to their latest collaboration, Paris & Nicole: The Encore, their enduring relationship continues to capture the public’s attention.
The pair, both 43, have been through a lot together, including some rocky patches in their friendship. During their 20s, as they both rose to fame, their issues were often played out in the public eye. This period of tension was especially evident when their once-close friendship seemed to falter, and their struggles were shown on their reality series, which originally aired on Fox and later moved to E!.
However, looking back on those years, Richie opened up exclusively to PEOPLE, saying the separation from Hilton wasn’t easy. “I think anytime you are separated from your loved ones, it’s not the best moments,” Richie shared. “But Paris and I have more of a sisterhood than I would say, a standard friendship. We’ve been in each other’s lives for as long as I can remember since we were 2. So this is just, it’s life and it’s just been so exciting to be able to shoot this show again. It was great.”
A Lifelong Connection
Hilton echoes Richie’s sentiments, describing their bond as a deep and enduring one. “I just feel so lucky just to have a lifelong friendship like we have — a friendship that’s longer than most marriages,” Hilton says. “We’ve just been through everything together in life since we were little babies. I’m just so proud of how much we’ve grown and just all the experiences that we’ve been through in life. It made us these really incredibly strong, resilient, and amazing women, and I’m really proud of us.”
Richie, a mother of two, also notes that a friendship like theirs evolves over time, witnessing each other through all stages of life. “When you have a friendship that’s gone on this long, you do see each other through all stages of life,” she says. “We’ve seen each other through high school and just every stage of life. Motherhood is yet another stage.”
The pair’s most recent project, Paris & Nicole: The Encore, which premiered on December 12 on Peacock, marks another milestone in their journey together. The new series follows the duo as they transform their infamous “Sanasa” song—a playful anthem from The Simple Life—into an operatic performance. For both Hilton and Richie, the project brought back nostalgic feelings while also giving them the chance to try something new.
“It was so exciting for us both,” Richie shares. “I knew when I was getting up and getting ready, I didn’t know what the day was going to bring, but I was just so excited to be able to get in the car, go shoot with Paris. I knew that we were going to have a good time, I knew we were going to laugh, and it really made my summer.”
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A Timeless Legacy
Hilton, too, is thrilled to revisit the friendship and the project that helped shape their public personas. “Our original series brought so much joy and happiness to people around the world for over 20 years now,” Hilton says. “People love the show. It’s so timeless. It’s brought so much happiness to so many different generations and really stood the test of time and has become the blueprint for so many others.”
The duo’s playful antics on The Simple Life turned them into cultural icons, influencing countless reality shows and inspiring a wave of celebrity-driven entertainment. Now, as they team up again for Paris & Nicole: The Encore, their legacy is only growing stronger.
For fans who want to see more of Paris and Nicole together, all three episodes of Paris & Nicole: The Encore are now available to stream on Peacock. The series is a celebration of their long-lasting friendship, their shared history, and the fun they’ve had over the years as they continue to navigate their evolving lives.
Looking Ahead
As Hilton and Richie continue to thrive in both their personal and professional lives, their bond remains unshakable. Both have established successful business ventures, with Hilton becoming a prominent entrepreneur and DJ, while Richie has built a fashion empire with her line, House of Harlow 1960. Despite their individual successes, their friendship has remained a central part of their lives.
Through the years, Hilton and Richie’s friendship has proven that true bonds are not just about being in the same place at the same time—they are about weathering life’s ups and downs together. As they enter this next chapter of their lives, both professionally and personally, they continue to inspire others with their enduring connection and their shared journey.
