Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie have finally revealed details about their long-awaited and top-secret Simple Life reboot ahead of its premiere next month.
The lifelong BFFs, widely credited as the “founding mothers” of reality TV, will return to the small screen together — and they'll be joined by A-list friends and original favorites from The Simple Life.
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Nearly 20 years after The Simple Life premiered and changed the course of popular culture forever, Paris, 43, and Nicole, 43, reunited to film The Encore: a three-part special that will premiere on Peacock on July 12. December.
The US Sun had exclusive access to Paris and Nicole's panel at the Vulture Festival – where they spilled all about their secret new project.
In the reboot, the duo attempts to produce a “once-in-a-lifetime operatic performance” based on their catchphrase that they turned into a song, “Sanasa.”
When asked why they decided to reboot to focus on them performing opera based on their legendary tagline, Nicole said confidently: “We came to the conclusion that it should be celebrated.
Read more about Paris and Nicole
“We wrote this song when we were six or seven years old. It's an international sensation. So it wasn't a question of why, but why not?”
The House of Harlow founder, looking stunning in a long-sleeved tight red dress, then went on to explain the emotional reason why they decided it was time to work together again after all these years.
“We had been approached both together and separately to do a reboot of The Simple Life. But we both didn't want to do something for the sake of doing it.
“We were texting over Christmas last year, and on The Simple Life we worked with a little boy called Braxton who was 3 at the time and is now 23.
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“So we were talking over Christmas about how crazy it was, and Paris was like, ‘It's been 20 years of The Simple Life, should we do something?’ And I was like, ‘I don't know, right?'
“So in February, we got together for tacos and decided we were going to do it, but our way. We decided how many episodes it was going to be.”
“What each episode would look like. We were very involved in the whole concept and every part of it.”
“We had a lot of fun. When Nicole and I got together, I felt like a teenager again,” said Paris, who sparkled in a long-sleeved black dress studded with crystals.
“Moving back to Arkansas was another adventure. We've stayed in regular contact with Braxton over the years, I've texted him a lot and we're very proud of him. He's a lawyer now and doing a really good job.”
Paris added that her relationships with Braxton and his family, including Grandma Curly, were the “most important” part of filming the show in 2003.
She appeared to be holding back tears as she discussed her desire for Curley, who died at age 89 in 2020, to be part of this reboot.
In addition to Braxton's appearance in the series, Paris and Nicole's A-list friends will also make appearances.
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Grammy Award-winning singer Sia, 48, will help Paris and Nicole audition “hundreds” of people for their opera Sanasa.
Paris admitted she wanted Sia to join the show after the singer became a “sister” to her while co-producing her latest album Infinite Icon.
A video clip showed Sia, with her distinctive black and blonde wig, sitting in the audience with Paris and Nicole, as they burst out laughing while filming the scenes in the theater.
Sia will provide guidance to the girls on what they should look for in terms of talent on stage to successfully produce their own opera.
In the two decades since The Simple Life was filmed from 2003 to 2007, the friends have become closer than ever – despite a previous estrangement in their friendship during their 20s.
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Paris married businessman Carter Reum and had two children together: son Phoenix, 1, and daughter London, 1, both born via surrogate.
Nicole has been married to Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden since 2010.
Together they share daughter Harlow, 16, and son Sparrow, 15.
Nicole admitted that her children were a big reason for her decision to reboot.
“My kids were a big part of me wanting to do this reunion. They are now old enough to understand and watch The Simple Life after having this viral moment on TikTok.
“They loved it and pushed me to do it and were very happy and supportive.”
That was great but this time, he only used the word “Sanasa”.
Paris & Nicole: Apparition
In a clip from Paris & Nicole: The Encore, the Beverly Hills bombshells can be seen auditioning for the opera at a large theater — both wearing gorgeous red gowns.
While they were listening to a woman play a classical piece on stage, they were interrupted by TV stars.
“Excuse me, can you wait a second?” Paris asked before Nicole added, “Something's not right.”
“I think it's the words,” Paris said, and Nicole confirmed: “It's definitely the words.”
Paris then told the singer to “try again” but this time, “just use the phrase 'Sanasa'.”
The artist obliged, with Paris subsequently dropping her trademark line “This is sexy.”
“We're really good at this,” Nicole confirmed as the sneak peek ended.
Paris & Nicole: The Encore will air in three parts and premiere on Peacock on December 12.
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