It’s a Monday in November, and the piano player is winding down her afternoon set at the Polo Lounge inside the Beverly Hills Hotel. The crowd is mixed—power-lunching alphas, thirsty tourists, pretty women with less pretty men. There are white tablecloths. There are clusters of magenta bougainvillea. There are $46 McCarthy salads, which are really just Cobb salads named after a polo-playing millionaire. And there are Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Whoever said Hollywood was dead was seriously disturbed.
Richie arrives first, 3 p.m. on the dot, casual in blue jeans and a ribbed mock turtleneck, hair tucked stylishly inside. “Hi, I’m Nicole,” she says with a warm hug. She slides into the corner booth and, after a few minutes of chitchat, offers to text Paris. Oh, there she is, less casual in a blue-and-white flowy gown with a plunging neckline and shiny blonde waves. Another round of hellos are exchanged before talk turns to the restaurant. So classic, so of a piece with the city it’s in. I offer up a short anecdote about growing up on the East Coast and being utterly besotted from a young age with California; the Sweet Valley, the Phyllis Nefler, the 90210 of it all. My dream was to somehow migrate west and never look back, and kind of still is. The women nod silently, knowingly. “I love LA,” Hilton says with a sigh before opening the menu.
One of Hollywood’s greatest hat tricks is its ability to produce not just solo stars, but legendary package deals. To become famous by yourself, you need certain things—talent, opportunity, luck. But to become famous alongside another person requires unique synergy and intangible chemistry that not only presents itself in the work, but—if you’re lucky—winds its way into the zeitgeist for eternity. Martin and Lewis. Sonny and Cher. Ashford and Simpson. Kenan and Kel. Mary-Kate and Ashley (both in their “Gimme Pizza” era and their $34,000-bag purveyor era). Paris and Nicole.
When we were first introduced to Hilton and Richie as a unit, it was 2003. They’d signed on to star in a Fox reality show—then a fairly uncharted genre—that hoped to leverage their lifelong friendship, their privilege (Nicole’s adoptive dad is legendary musician Lionel Richie; Paris is a Hilton hotel heiress), and their somewhat yin-and-yang personalities. The premise of The Simple Life was funny but maybe a little mean, which made sense because everything was a little mean in 2003. Two rich girls from the wilds of Los Angeles try to hack it on a farm in rural Altus, Arkansas, with no Samsung E714’s, no credit cards, no Vuitton Murakami bags. A gonzo Green Acres for the Juicy Couture set. The fish-out-of-water spectacle was an instant hit—the December 2 premiere drew nearly 13 million viewers, and two celebrities were born.
Much has been made of the series and its impact. Were they making fun of the salt-of-the-earth folks they communed with? Were we making fun of Hilton and Richie—both 22 at the time—for (understandably) not knowing how to dispose of roadkill or thinking Walmart sold, like, wall stuff? The real punchline, of course, was the viewer. We believed everything that was fed to us for five seasons, no questions asked. In recent years, the women have admitted that they inflated their personas to suit what viewers and the network wanted. Unlike us, they were smart, savvy, and—like so many classic duos before them—consummate entertainers who understood in their bones how to keep fans laughing and maybe cringing a little, too.
“We both caught on very early that The Simple Life had a formula,” Richie says over hot tea and toast with butter and jam. “They would drop us off at our jobs, they would leave, we would mess it up, they would get mad, we would laugh, we were in skirts.” (It’s true—rewatching a few key episodes ahead of our interview, I was struck by how frequently both women attempted farmwork in tiny pleated skirts and short shorts.) “The producers were like, ‘We don’t really want you to wear jeans, we want you to wear dresses.’ It was entertainment. Both Paris and I are from LA. We understand.”
Hilton, too, has talked openly about leaning into the vapid baby-voiced stereotype we devoured, and—in what might be one of the longest performances in showbiz history—can still keep it going if that’s what the situation calls for.
“For me, it’s definitely a character,” she says between bites of the aforementioned McCarthy salad (no bacon, light on the cheese, both Thousand Island and ranch). “When Nicole and I got approached to do The Simple Life, they described it as Green Acres meets Clueless, so I knew what the audience wanted—that blonde-airhead type of character. So I really played into that with questions like, ‘What’s Walmart?’ I always knew what I was doing because I’m not a dumb blonde. I’m just very good at pretending to be one.”
Which brings us to the present, and the project we’re gathered here today to discuss. Despite what misleading headlines would have you believe, the two aren’t pairing up for a Simple Life reboot to re-wreak havoc in Podunk towns across America.
Paris & Nicole: The Encore is a three-part reunion show that pays heartfelt homage to the people involved in the original series but also—because it’s Paris and Nicole—has a bit of an unexpected madcap element.
“What we have decided to do for the reunion is to make our song, ‘Sanasa,’ into an opera,” says Richie. An opera?
“We just wanted to do something different than all the other reunions,” Hilton says. “The Simple Life was so innovative and so new to the world. It’s such a special show to celebrate, and we just wanted to do it in the most extra and extravagant way. And it’s funny because we’re going to be fish out of water in this as well, because us being in the opera world is…,” she trails off.
(For the uninitiated, “Sanasa” is a song the women wrote as kids; it became something of a viral inside joke during The Simple Life.)
“Together we came up with this amazing treatment, and then we had pitch meetings with all the big networks,” Hilton says. “Everybody wanted it. Bidding war.”
The women decided to go with Peacock, and Paris & Nicole: The Encore will air December 12—almost 21 years to the day that The Simple Life premiered. Still, Hilton and Richie, both 43, are wives and mothers, and have multiple successful business ventures. (Nicole is a working actor and has been running House of Harlow 1960, her fashion label, since 2008. Paris has a career as a singer and DJ, is deep into her advocacy work that protects youth against the inappropriate use of restraints and isolation in treatment facilities, and is about to launch her 30th fragrance). They’re also very, very famous. Why even do this? As they infer, the project is a testament to their friendship, and also a love letter of sorts to the people they met along the way.
“The people that watched The Simple Life when it originally came out might know that we’ve been friends since we were two, but I don’t necessarily think everyone is as familiar with that now,” Richie says. “And so we take you around parts of LA where we used to hang out, what we used to do in our childhood. So really just painting a picture of what our friendship and our life was before we even did the show so that you really understand why when the opportunity came up for us to do it, it was just an automatic yes.”
Adds Hilton: “Going back to where it all started was really important. We go back to Arkansas, back to Altus, go visit the family and people that we worked for. It was so special.”
Although a true reboot of The Simple Life wouldn’t be possible today—both women can’t hit the road for months at a time, and trying to re-create the magic of 2003 in the age of iPhones and social media is a laughable proposition—I got to see a glimpse of the pair in action when dropped into an unfamiliar situation a few weeks before our interview. In September, Hilton and Richie came to Glamour’s New York office for their cover shoot, but also to film a comedy-led scripted short video that finds them taking over the 9-to-5 gig as editor in chief.
Internally, we never thought the pair would go for it—memorizing lines, having to redo multiple takes, and committing to a full day on set complete with several outfit changes is more work than showing up to a studio for some pretty pictures—but Hilton and Richie were more than game. Throughout the day, they happily committed to the bit, following the script and even doing some improvising if the moment called for it. They were relaxed and highly present (which, if you’ve ever worked with a celebrity on a promotional project, you’ll know is not always the case). Watching the result of the below video is a reminder of what made their comedic partnership so special.
As our conversation rolls on, both Hilton and Richie are forthcoming and friendly, even offering up kindness to a teary fan who ambles over to our booth and asks for a photo of Hilton. “You’re so beautiful,” he says, the human equivalent of the heart-eye emoji. Hilton compliments his shirt and asks where he’s from. Richie gamely offers to snap a pic of them together. When the Polo Lounge staff clocks the interaction, they’re Johnny-on-the-spot and tell the fan sorry, no photos allowed. He looks genuinely crushed.
“Could we step out and do a photo? Would you mind?” he persists. Hilton looks mildly uncomfortable but seems like maybe she’ll throw him a bone. “Sir, no,” the manager says more firmly this time, as the fan putters back outside. “Nice to meet you,” Hilton calls out after him.
I imagine this happens all the time to the women, but they don’t let on whether that’s true. Ever the pros, they click right back in. “Where were we?” Richie asks, grabbing a french fry.
Glamour: We touched on it a bit, but can you explain how the reunion concept came about?
Nicole Richie: Paris and I were on text over Christmas break, and she had sent me a photo of Braxton [Leding], who we lived with in Arkansas during season one of The Simple Life. And it was more just like, ‘Oh my God, look how big he is. He’s an adult now.’ And Paris said, ‘It’s about to be 20 years.’ And I wrote her back and said, ‘Should we do something?’ And she said, ‘Should we?’ And I said, ‘Okay, let’s come back to this. Let’s let it marinate and let’s just see. Let’s see if we really are feeling it.’ So we got together after the new year, and we just talked about what we would want to make together, period. Simple Life related or not, we had done this amazing show 20 years ago and it was something that I look back on with such fond memories.
This seems like a good time to ask about some of the relentless tabloid culture you both endured during the early days of your fame. I was watching clips of interviews and red carpets when you were promoting The Simple Life and it was pretty fucked up, honestly. The way reporters and tabloids treated women was shocking. This time around, is it different?
Paris Hilton: The media in the ’00s was so toxic. They would target a certain group of girls, Nicole and I being two of those, and it was very difficult to be a young girl and discover who you are with the whole world watching. But then also exaggerating and creating these storylines just to sell tabloids. It’s amazing now how much times have changed. I think it’s just a lot more respectful and it feels a lot safer now. The ’00s were vicious to all the girls.
I don’t think people had the media literacy they do now—we truly believed anything we read about celebrities back then. Were you able to shake off the vile stuff you read about yourselves?
Hilton: There would be a lot of nights I’d cry and I’d call my mom. I’d be like, “This is not even true.” But it also made me so strong where after a while I just realized these are people who don’t even know me, they’re just making stories up. The people who love and know me know the truth. And you just have to try to ignore it. So that’s why I feel the girls today are so lucky that that doesn’t happen anymore. It’s very, very traumatizing to have to live through.
Richie: I think it took a heavier toll on me than I could have admitted even to myself at the moment. But looking back, I can see how big of an effect it played on my daily life and my daily choices. But it’s also been such a strong motivation for me to own my own voice and my own narrative. And it makes me really proud of women that we’ve come such a long way to say, “That’s actually not okay.”
Did you both have any expectation, 20 years ago when you signed on to The Simple Life, that it would become such a critical piece of pop culture?
Richie: I mean, we enjoyed doing it, so of course we hoped that people would like it, but the reason why we said yes was solely for the purpose of having fun. We thought it would be such an adventure. We didn’t know what town we were going to. All we knew was that we were going to be gone for 30 days. It’s very different from signing up for something today because you’re doing it to build your brand. That model did not exist back then. So we were solely doing it because we have always chased joy and wanted to have fun.
The longevity of the show is staggering—usually when things have a TikTok resurgence, they go away first and then are rediscovered. The Simple Life never really went away. It’s quoted constantly, and frequently written about. Do you think the reunion special will attract mostly nostalgic viewers or the new generation of fans?
Hilton: Definitely both, because from the beginning of the reunion, we wanted the fans to be a part of it. I put a video on TikTok and said, “We want to include some of the fans in the show with us. And could you please tell me some of your favorite moments as well as sing our song ‘Sanasa.’” And we got thousands of videos from all around the world, all ages. It was such a special moment in time, before social media. You could never do a show like that today. And really, we’re the blueprint for all these other shows.
Did you guys ever disagree about The Simple Life? Or about anything having to do with the new project?
Richie: No, we were navigating the show together, so I think we would always find ourselves on the same side of a situation because we were our safe people in those scenarios. And no, with the new show, we developed the entire thing together.
Obviously both of you come from prominent families. Were they on board with The Simple Life?
Hilton: Our parents did not want us to do it and told us not to.
Richie: Yes, that’s true.
Hilton: 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. 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.”
Now you guys have kids of your own. Nicole, you have a 15-year-old son and an almost 17-year-old daughter. How is it raising teenagers in 2024?
Richie: So wild and fun. I just so clearly remember what it’s like to be a teenager. It feels like it happened yesterday for me. And they know everything I did. I knew before I had them that I was going to have to be transparent with them about who I was. And I’ve actually found freedom in that. I didn’t want my kids having some big discovery about me. And I’ve always been very open and honest with my kids and hope that they are open and honest with me.
Paris, you have a one-year-old daughter and an almost two-year-old son. Is having children different from what you expected?
It’s been life-changing. They’re just such little angels and have really changed my whole world, and just make me realize what’s most important in life. It’s love on another level, which I didn’t know I could feel. I’m just so grateful for them every day. They’re just so precious and smart and fun. They’re the cutest things on the planet. My son just learned “Sanasa.”
Was that his first word?
Hilton: His first word was “yas.” And then “mama.”
I’m curious about your thoughts on the Y2K-style resurgence? You both were key architects of that aesthetic in real time.
Richie: It’s very funny and sweet. I don’t necessarily connect with all the Y2K interpretations, which I’m sure is how people in the ’70s thought when we decided that we loved the ’70s. But yes, as far as the Juicy sweatsuits and the trucker hats and everything, yes, it’s very sweet.
Do you still have stuff from that era?
Hilton: I do. My 21st-birthday dress, which is iconic. I have the Von Dutch hat that I was wearing in Arkansas. The Dior monogram pieces, Louis Vuitton, all of that. It was so out there and so extra. It was the most fun time in fashion.
You both have families, businesses, and now this show. Are there enough hours in a day?
Hilton: I always put my babies first, so I am saying no to things all the time. But I also do have a lot of responsibilities with all of my brands and all the different projects I’m doing on a daily basis. So there’s definitely not enough time in the day to get everything done, but I don’t stop and I multitask. So it’s just trying to stack as much as possible into a day as I can. And I don’t really have weekends off. I try to do as much from home as possible. So I built my recording studio there, which is right next to the baby nursery. And my podcast studio is there as well. I try to do as many of the photo shoots from my house as possible. And just saying no to so many different offers because my family means the most to me.
I want to ask about mental health and overall self-care. Paris, when you were in the Glamour office earlier this fall, some of us saw you hooked up to an IV in the hall that was dispensing blue liquid—and we have questions.
Hilton: I’m obsessed with biohacking and wellness. I have this longevity doctor, and he comes once a month and I do methylene blue mixed with NAD, and it’s incredible for cell turnover, for focus, for energy, for anti-aging, for all the things. It gives me so much energy, clarity. It’s like a Benjamin Button IV.
[Editor’s note: Always consult with a licensed physician before beginning any supplement regimen.]
Richie: For me, it’s very important not to run myself into the ground. I have many different facets that I’m juggling all the time, being a wife, being a mother, being a businessperson, being a friend, which I think is so important. Having dinner with my girlfriends and being able to relax and laugh is—I treat it like a job. It is such an important part of my life. And I need it to feel like myself. And then taking time for myself, which is different than taking time with my family. That’s my time to read, to be in nature. And I don’t think that I could really do anything that I do without being connected to myself. And I never want to be in a place where I’m not connected, where I’m not aligned with myself. I want to bring my highest self to anything that I do.
Do you ever rewatch The Simple Life?
Hilton: It’s my favorite show to watch. I’ve never stopped watching it. I’ve seen so many episodes, so many different times. My son, Phoenix, and I watch it, and he just laughs so hard. Every time I laugh, he looks at me and he’s just laughing. He’s like, “Mama, Mama.”
Richie: I’ve seen it. When we decided to do the reunion, yes. Paris came over. We watched a few episodes, so yes, I have, but I hadn’t seen it since it originally came out.
What’s next for you both? Are there more projects together in the future?
Hilton: They’re already asking what we’re shooting next.
Richie: I feel like people are going to want us to do this forever.
Hilton: Literally.
Richie: No, literally. We’re in each other’s lives and we can decide what we do together, whether that be on TV or on film or on this or on that. This has been incredible. It’s been so much fun to shoot something and promote something with your friend. I still get nervous and it makes a world of difference for us to do it together. I wish we could just do everything together.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Credits:
Photographer & Director: Tyler Kohlhoff
Stylist: Anatoli Smith
Hair: (Nicole Richie) DJ Quintero, (Paris Hilton) Eduardo Ponce
Makeup: (Nicole Richie) Daniel Martin, (Paris Hilton) Melissa Hurkman
Manicure (Paris Hilton): Nori Yamanaka @nailnori
Set Design: WayOut Studio
Screenwriter: Ian Morgan
Video Talent: Glamour Staff
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