In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond, Paris Hilton has publicly admitted that her long-standing relationship with Kim Kardashian extended beyond mere friendship, hinting at a deeper, more intimate connection during their early 2000s heyday. The bombshell dropped during a candid interview on her podcast, This is Paris, on July 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM PST (4:00 PM +07), where the 44-year-old heiress reflected on their shared past with a mix of nostalgia and vulnerability. This unexpected disclosure has reignited interest in their decades-long bond, prompting a reexamination of their rise to fame and the dynamics that shaped their public personas. As the news spreads across social media and entertainment outlets, fans and critics alike are grappling with the implications, with reactions ranging from astonishment to admiration, all while the current time stands at 4:50 PM +07 on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Hilton’s admission came as she revisited her friendship with Kardashian, tracing it back to their preschool days in Los Angeles. “Kim and I were more than just besties back in the day,” she said, her voice softening. “We shared a bond that went beyond what people saw—there was a closeness, an intimacy that helped us navigate those wild early years.” The comment, made while discussing her memoir Paris: The Memoir and the influence of her early relationships, suggests a romantic or deeply personal element to their connection during the mid-2000s, when both were fixtures on the celebrity circuit. Hilton emphasized that this aspect of their relationship was private, overshadowed by their public antics and the eventual drift that followed Kardashian’s rise to solo stardom.
The timing of this revelation coincides with a period of reflection for Hilton, who has been promoting her recent ventures, including her DJ career and the launch of her 11:11 Media platform. Her comments build on a narrative of personal growth, contrasting with the party-girl image that defined her during The Simple Life era (2003–2007). Kardashian, now 44 and a billionaire businesswoman with her Skims and SKKN brands, has not yet responded publicly, though sources close to her suggest she was aware of Hilton’s intent to share this story. Their friendship, which saw highs like joint club appearances and lows like public spats, has been a subject of fascination, with Hilton’s latest admission adding a new layer to their complex history.
The early 2000s marked the peak of Hilton and Kardashian’s inseparable phase. Hilton, already a tabloid darling thanks to her sex tape scandal and reality TV debut, brought Kardashian into the spotlight as her stylist and confidante. Their appearances together—posing for paparazzi, organizing Hilton’s closet on The Simple Life, and hitting hotspots like Hyde nightclub—cemented their status as the original influencer duo. Hilton’s podcast revelation hints that this partnership was underpinned by a personal intimacy, possibly a romantic fling or an emotional alliance that fueled their mutual ascent. This aligns with Hilton’s 2023 memoir, where she hinted at exploring various relationships during her youth, though she stopped short of naming Kardashian explicitly.
The drift began around 2007, when Kardashian’s sex tape with Ray J and the launch of Keeping Up with the Kardashians shifted the fame dynamic. Hilton’s 2008 radio quip about Kardashian’s physique—“It reminds me of cottage cheese inside a big trash bag”—signaled tension, though she later apologized. Kardashian, in a 2011 Harper’s Bazaar interview, attributed their estrangement to growing apart, saying, “There comes a point in life where you just grow apart and realize you’re not as similar as you thought.” Yet, their reconciliation in 2014, marked by a reunion at Riccardo Tisci’s birthday party, and subsequent collaborations—like Hilton’s 2020 Skims campaign and her 2021 wedding attendance—suggest a bond that weathered public scrutiny.
Hilton’s admission challenges the narrative of a purely professional or platonic relationship. Social media reactions on X reflect this shift, with fans posting, “Paris and Kim as more than friends? Mind blown!” and “This explains their chemistry back then!” Some speculate the intimacy was a strategic alliance, leveraging their shared visibility to dominate the early social media landscape. Others see it as a genuine emotional connection, possibly a brief romance amid the chaos of fame. The lack of concrete evidence—beyond Hilton’s words—leaves room for interpretation, but her track record of openness, including her 2021 regret over her own sex tape, lends credibility to the claim.
The cultural context of the early 2000s supports this revelation. The era’s tabloid culture thrived on personal scandals, yet same-sex relationships among celebrities were rarely acknowledged publicly due to stigma. Hilton and Kardashian’s constant togetherness—documented in paparazzi shots and Hilton’s 2006 album launch—may have masked a deeper bond, especially as they navigated the pressures of sudden fame. Kardashian’s 2021 acknowledgment that Hilton “literally gave me a career” hints at a gratitude that could stem from more than mentorship, though she’s remained silent on the romantic angle.
Fan reactions are polarized. Supporters celebrate the honesty, with one Instagram user writing, “Love that Paris is owning their story—queer icons!” Critics, however, question the motive, with some suggesting it’s a ploy to boost Hilton’s podcast amid declining Simple Life nostalgia. The revelation also reignites debates about Kardashian’s rise, with some arguing Hilton’s influence was more personal than professional. This aligns with Hilton’s 2019 People interview, where she praised Kardashian’s journey, hinting at a shared history deeper than public feuds.
The entertainment industry is abuzz with implications. Hilton’s openness could normalize discussions of fluid sexuality among celebrities, following trends set by stars like Kristen Stewart. For Kardashian, it risks overshadowing her current focus on law and business, though her team may see it as a chance to reframe her origin story. Their recent interactions—sledding together at Kathy Hilton’s 2023 Christmas Eve party and Kardashian’s appearance on Cooking with Paris—suggest a comfort level that supports Hilton’s claim, though neither has confirmed a current romantic tie.
Production sources hint at a potential This is Paris episode revisiting this history with archival footage, possibly featuring Kardashian’s input. The podcast’s focus on Hilton’s evolution—from party girl to businesswoman—makes this a fitting narrative arc. Meanwhile, Kardashian’s silence may reflect her strategic approach, honed since her 2007 breakthrough, to let the story settle before responding.
This admission reshapes their legacy. Once seen as rivals turned friends, Hilton and Kardashian now emerge as partners in a multifaceted relationship that shaped their careers. As the news circulates at 4:50 PM +07 on July 24, 2025, the world awaits Kardashian’s stance, but Hilton’s words have already rewritten a chapter of Hollywood history, blending truth with the silence of the past.
