Nothing sums up early 2000s pop culture better than a reality show simple lifeaired for five seasons between 2003 and 2007.
The series followed wealthy best friends Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie as they ditched all their luxury and celebrity status to live a working-class lifestyle.
Most of the time, you’d expect the stars to find themselves stuck in manual labor — like farm labor — as they struggle with basic chores like doing their own laundry and setting up an ironing board.
And a lot of their one-liners ended up fueling Paris and Nicole”silly blondepersonas, like the time Paris asked, “What is Walmart?” Do they sell wall stuff? »
In 2020, 13 years later simple life ceased broadcasting, Paris admitted that it had deliberately create a character for the show and that she’s not a “beachhead” after all – she’s “really good at pretending to be one”.
The star explained that she even changed her natural voice when she was on camera to make herself sound more “stupid”.
During an appearance on the Australian morning show SunriseParis said, “All this time I’ve been playing a character, so the world has never really known who I am.”
“The real me is actually someone who’s brilliant, and I’m not a dumb blonde — I’m just really good at pretending to be one,” she continued.
As to why Paris decided to show the real her now, she concluded, “For my legacy and what I wanted to be remembered for.” I don’t want to be remembered as a beachhead. I want to be respected for the businesswoman that I am.”
And in a resurface clip from the reality show, fans noticed a moment when Nicole broke their typical “dumb blonde” personas to defend herself and Paris after being disrespected by someone they were working with.
In the scene, the two women are helping with yard work and setting up a paddling pool. When a man, Jimmy, asks if the job would be done that day, James replies, “Well, when you got dumber and dumber here…” in reference to Paris and Nicole.
Hearing this, Nicole walks up to James and confronts him for what he said, threatening to “beat” his face if he still dares to call him or Paris “idiot”.
“James, I have respect for myself and she’s my best friend so I have respect for her,” Nicole says. “And I’m being completely honest right now that if you call me stupid or she’s stupid one more time…”
“I don’t care how many steroids you take, how many egg yolks you drink, how many push-ups you do,” she continues as James avoids eye contact and laughs awkwardly to himself. “I’m very serious, I’m going to kick your ass.”
“You think I didn’t?” I’ve done it before and I will do it again. I really don’t care, so watch your fucking face,” Nicole said.
And the star was celebrated for the way she and her friend stood up for herself when the moment recently went viral on TikTok, with a popular comment: “Nicole Richie is the real thing.”
Many others referenced Paris’ comment in 2020 on their simple life characters being characters, with one person writing, “It’s just that Nicole breaks her character. The real Nicole came out so fast.
“She really broke the airhead persona they wanted her to be to threaten someone for her best friend,” someone else agreed. Another echoed: “Character broken for the best reason.”
And some praised simple life for teaching them how to deal with objectionable comments and how to set boundaries.
“Nicole Richie literally taught me there was nothing wrong with responding to rude men,” one fan wrote. Another said: “I loved the simple life and Paris and Nicole really taught people a lot of boundaries and lessons.”
Even Paris herself commented on the post, writing, “J’adore” alongside an affectionate emoji.
In 2021, Nicole looked back fondly at his time simple life and admitted that she would support her own children if they wanted to try their hand at reality TV as adults.
Nicole shares 15-year-old daughter Harlow and 13-year-old son Sparrow with husband Joel Madden.
Reflecting on how much reality TV has changed since the events, Nicole said Eentertainment tonight: “There were only two reality TV shows before that. It was The Osbournes and The real worldand [The Simple Life] It wasn’t that, so it was a whole new concept.
“I think it would be a different thing now, it depends on what it is,” she continued. “But if my kids were like, ‘I want to try this new thing that’s never been done before.’ You’re just saying… Well, obviously now they’re tweens, so I’m going to say no.
“But yeah, if they’re 18 and they want to do anything, as long as it feels good and authentic to them, that’s fine with me,” Nicole added.
Meanwhile, Paris Hilton has just welcomed her first child. On Tuesday, the star announced she is now a mom after she and hubby Carter Reum welcomed a baby boy via surrogate.