Kristina
Kathy Hilton, the mother of Paris Hilton, has been a public figure for years, but recently she reflected on an important chapter of her daughter’s career. She spoke about her initial feelings toward The Simple Life, the reality television show that made Paris Hilton and her childhood friend Nicole Richie famous. Kathy revealed that, in the beginning, she wasn’t supportive of the show, but after seeing its success, she admitted that she was wrong.
Kathy Hilton, who is 65 years old, shared her thoughts during an interview at the 2025 WWD Style Awards. This was just days after her daughter, Paris, and Nicole Richie reunited for a special project called Paris & Nicole: Encore, which brought back memories of The Simple Life. The three-part series on Peacock was released 17 years after The Simple Life ended, and it showed Paris and Nicole coming together to revisit their time on the show.
The Simple Life originally aired from 2003 to 2007 and followed Paris and Nicole as they left their luxurious lifestyles behind and took on regular jobs. The show was an unusual idea at the time. The two socialites went to various parts of the U.S., taking on jobs like working on farms, in fast-food restaurants, or helping in small towns. The concept was about showing how the rich and famous could adjust to living in the “real world,” and it became one of the most talked-about reality shows at that time.
Kathy admitted in her recent interview that she didn’t understand how the show would work when Paris first signed on to do it. She said, “I wasn’t for it to begin with, so I was wrong. I was wrong.” She explained that she didn’t initially see how The Simple Life could be successful, but after seeing the show’s popularity and impact, she realized that her initial doubts were misplaced.
In the interview, Kathy also talked about how much fun it was for her to be part of Paris & Nicole: Encore, which featured Paris and Nicole revisiting some of the fun moments from their show. Kathy said that being a part of the reunion felt “nostalgic” and that she enjoyed seeing how much people still loved the show. She described the experience of filming with Paris and Nicole as “so hysterical” because of their amazing chemistry and humor.
Paris Hilton, now 43, has often spoken about how much The Simple Life meant to her. She reflected on how fans of the show have kept the memory of it alive, even years after it ended. In the years since The Simple Life, Paris has remained a well-known celebrity, but she is often amazed by the lasting effect the show has had on her fans.
Paris has said that it’s fun to watch how The Simple Life continues to influence people, especially on platforms like TikTok, where many users share videos recreating scenes from the show. She mentioned how every Halloween, people dress up as her and Nicole, copying their outfits and looks from the show. “It’s always fun every Halloween to see everybody dressing up as Nicole and I and their different takes on all of our different looks,” Paris said.
In addition to seeing people recreate scenes from the show, Paris has also enjoyed connecting with fans through social media. She spoke about how special it has been to hear from people who tell her how The Simple Life shaped their personalities and lives. Fans have shared how much they love the friendship between Paris and Nicole, and how it resonated with them on a personal level. Paris explained, “It’s been really special to be in contact with so many of the fans as well on social media and hear from them how much The Simple Life meant to them.”
The reunion with Nicole Richie for Paris & Nicole: Encore allowed Paris to reconnect with the past in a meaningful way. While filming the series, both Paris and Nicole laughed a lot at the old memories and had fun revisiting the iconic moments that made them famous. The reunion not only brought back those fun memories, but it also allowed them to appreciate how much their friendship has meant to their fans. Their bond and the adventures they shared on the show were something viewers loved to watch, and it has remained a big part of both of their lives.
Paris’s excitement over the reunion project showed how important The Simple Life was to her, not just as a career moment but also as a time when she and Nicole created something truly special. The friendship between Paris and Nicole was at the heart of the show, and their connection continues to inspire many people today. Their journey from being childhood friends to becoming global celebrities remains a significant part of pop culture.
The story of The Simple Life and Kathy Hilton’s reflections on it also show the growth and change in her own thinking. Kathy may have been uncertain at first, but she now sees the incredible impact that The Simple Life had on Paris’s career and on the world of reality television. Despite her initial doubts, Kathy now celebrates the show’s success and the bond it helped create between her daughter and Nicole Richie.
In the years since The Simple Life ended, both Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie have gone on to pursue different careers. Paris became an entrepreneur, DJ, and media personality, while Nicole expanded her work in the fashion industry. However, their shared history with The Simple Life remains a cherished part of their lives. The show continues to be remembered for its humor, its portrayal of two wealthy young women in unlikely jobs, and the dynamic between Paris and Nicole, who became one of television’s most iconic duos.
In conclusion, Kathy Hilton’s reflection on The Simple Life shows how people can change their views and grow over time. While she initially doubted the show’s success, she now recognizes how much it meant to her daughter and to fans around the world. It’s clear that The Simple Life will always be a defining moment in Paris Hilton’s career and a memorable part of early 2000s television.
