Life has certainly changed for Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie since their time on reality TV.

The two, who are now both 43 years old, have built significant careers in various fields. Richie runs her own fashion line called House of Harlow, while Hilton has found success as a DJ and released a new pop album titled “Infinite Icon.” They’ve also ventured into television, with Richie starring in “Great News” and Hilton appearing in “Paris in Love.” This evolution is a stark contrast to their earlier days as young socialites on the iconic reality series “The Simple Life,” which introduced them to rural America and changed reality TV with their comedic escapades.

Now, more than two decades after their popular Fox show aired, Hilton and Richie are reuniting for a three-episode series titled “Paris & Nicole: The Encore,” which is currently available on Peacock.

“We both felt that we loved doing that show, and after 20 years, it felt like the right time to celebrate it with a reunion,” Richie explains while chatting with Hilton. They have traded their sunny Los Angeles backdrop for a floral greenroom in the backstage area of “The Drew Barrymore Show” in New York during their conversation.

“Paris sent me a picture of a boy we met in Arkansas when he was just 3, and now he’s 23,” Richie recalls. The friends discussed the idea of commemorating the show’s 20th anniversary. “People have asked us to do a 10-year reunion, and now it just feels like we can’t recreate that experience in today’s world dominated by smartphones and social media.”

Richie shares that their reunion plans included “a nod to ‘The Simple Life.'” The show debuted in 2003 and ran for five seasons, throwing the two friends into various humorous scenarios, from milking cows to working at Sonic and donning camouflage outfits. It propelled them to fame and has remained relevant, as clips from the show have gone viral on TikTok and their Y2K style has been embraced by younger audiences.

In “Encore,” the pair returns to Altus, Arkansas, where they had adventures during the first season of “The Simple Life.” This time, they engage the local community at dive bar Alligator Rays, where Richie had a memorable moment pouring bleach on a pool table, and of course, they make a stop at Walmart.

“The original was just so carefree and fun,” Hilton reflects, adding, “Looking back at my life now, I see how much I’ve grown and experienced.”

Even though they’ve matured, they still bring that quirky energy to “Encore,” taking on the challenge of creating an opera around “sanasa,” a word and song they invented during their youth that gained fame through the original series. “I believe the world would benefit if everyone sanasa-ed,” Hilton notes with a laugh.

“Let’s dive into a world we’re unfamiliar with and embark on a new adventure,” Richie expresses. Throughout the series, participants often look at the camera as if they are unsure, similar to moments from “The Simple Life”; both Hilton and Richie remain aware of the humor in these situations.

This reunion is a light-hearted affair for Hilton, who has engaged in political advocacy since her documentary “This is Paris” in 2020 highlighted the abuse she reported experiencing at a school in Utah during her teenage years. However, there was a period of estrangement between the two during and after “Simple Life,” exacerbated by relentless tabloid speculation.

“The media was extremely toxic in the early 2000s. They thrived on fabricating stories, exaggerating situations, and turning women against one another, especially Nicole and me,” Hilton shares, describing the situation as “painful, with constant rumors swirling.”

“It’s tough to be separated from someone you care about,” Richie acknowledges, reflecting on their distance. “But when you genuinely care for someone, you naturally find your way back because being apart is simply not enjoyable.”

The two friends have changed significantly over the years. Hilton says, “In the past, it was all about partying and having a good time. Now, I love just relaxing at home with my kids and puppies on the weekends, cooking. I really don’t care about going out like I used to.”

Richie, who feels less nostalgic, admitted she hadn’t revisited the show until texting with Hilton. She now finds joy in it, stating, “Seeing our younger selves makes me smile. We had no idea what tomorrow would bring. It was exciting being in our early 20s, just knowing we were on an adventure together.”

Richie recalls “The Simple Life” becoming popular as a major surprise. She shared, “We had no clue it would become such a hit. Even Fox didn’t predict it was going to be huge. They were just experimenting with a new type of show. Once it took off, we were constantly on the move, filming again and gone for months.”

Hilton’s mother, Kathy Hilton, who is also a reality TV star on Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” wasn’t initially supportive of the show.

“When I informed my mom about the reality show, she immediately opposed it, saying, ‘No, don’t do it,'” Hilton recalls. “But the evening after the show premiered, she called me, saying, ‘Oh wow, I was wrong. The show is fantastic. You and Nicole are hilarious together. It’s the funniest thing I’ve watched,’ and she couldn’t have been prouder. I’m glad I chose to go through with it.”

Both women are now mothers: Richie to 16-year-old Harlow and 15-year-old Sparrow, while Hilton has a 1-year-old son, Phoenix, and a daughter, London, also aged 1.

“‘The Simple Life’ holds a very special place in my heart. I enjoy watching it with my husband, Carter Reum, and my kids,” Hilton shares. “My baby Phoenix loves to sing the ‘Sanasa’ song now, and it’s adorable to hear him.”