The Simple Life was one of the most popular reality shows in the ‘00s, which premiered back in 2003 and spanned a whopping five seasons before concluding in 2007. The series was fronted by former BFFs Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, who were already famous prior to TSL, but the show definitely propelled them to become reality TV icons.
And after their falling out in 2005, Paris and Nicole were still under a contract for yet another season of The Simple Life, giving people all the more reason to tune in to see how their drama would unfold on the small screen. Fortunately, they eventually put their differences aside and became friends again, right before they would take on one last series in 2007.
Both women have been incredibly successful since The Simple Life ended that year, with Nicole launching a popular jewelry line while Paris has been jet-setting across the world to DJ at some of the biggest festivals in the world. But what else have these two been up to, and who’s been more successful since the show ended?
Who’s Been More Successful?
Two years after The Simple Life came to an end, Paris Hilton was back on reality TV when she starred in Paris Hilton’s British Best Friend — a show which consisted of a dozen contestants who were all competing to become the heiress’ new BFF.
She also had a US version of the show between 2008 and 2009, which spanned 29 episodes and two seasons, though it’s unclear whether or not she actually remained in touch with the winners since fans have never actually seen her hang out with any of them.
Either way, Paris still made a lot of money from both formats since people loved watching her on television and networks were willing to pay her a fortune to work with them.
It wouldn’t be until 2011 before the “Stars Are Blind” singer would star in yet another reality series titled The World According to Paris in 2011, but unlike her previous work on reality TV, this show wasn’t a big hit with fans and was consequently canceled after just eight episodes.
In a 2017 interview with Plastik magazine, the blonde beauty said that while she loved her time working on numerous reality shows, she doesn’t see herself doing anything of that sort again in the near future — not because she doesn’t want to but more so because she’s too occupied with other work commitments.
"My team gets calls every single day with offers for reality TV but I am so busy running my empire that I don't have time for it," she said. "I feel like I have been there and done that and it's not a priority in my life. I am more interested in being a businesswoman.”
She makes a valid point. After all, Paris has a huge brand, which includes 19 product lines, 50 boutiques across the world including multiple stores in Dubai, she owns a club resort in Manila, Philippines, while her perfume line has grossed well over $3 billion in revenue.
Variety even named her its “billion-dollar entrepreneur” back in 2011, so it’s not like she needs to be on reality TV by any means. She makes more than enough money being a businesswoman. Paris is reportedly worth $300 million.
Nicole Richie, who’s the adopted daughter of music icon Lionel Richie, has a net worth of $25 million, which obviously doesn’t compare to the fortune that Paris has built, but she makes more than enough to live a comfortable lifestyle while continuing to live her private life in Los Angeles.
After The Simple Life, Nicole landed a recurring role as a mentor on Fashion Star before eventually signing on for her own series, Candidly Nicole, but after just two seasons, the show was pulled by VH1 because ratings weren’t high enough to bring it back for a third run.
She was a judge on 2020’s Making The Cut and has had a few hosting opportunities on Live with Kelly and Ryan, Celebrity Page, Entertainment Tonight, and The View.
Nicole is also the founder of House of Harlow 1960, a lifestyle brand which she founded back in 2008. While she initially only focused her attention on selling jewelry, the company expanded by including apparel and shoes in 2010, and considering that the firm is still around to this day, it would seem as if Nicole is doing pretty well being her own businesswoman.
While Nicole and Paris are no longer as close as they once were, they've both said in interviews that they're still on good terms with one another and hang out from time to time.