The Inside Story: Stephanie Shepherd Reveals Why She Was Fired as Kim Kardashian's Former Assistant
Stephanie Shepherd reveals the reasons behind her dismissal from Kim Kardashian's company, shedding light on her departure from Kardashian West Brands in 2017
Kim Kardashian and Stephanie Shepherd. Getty Images (2)
Stephanie Shepherd, Kim Kardashian's ex-assistant, candidly opened up about the circumstances surrounding the termination of their professional partnership. In an episode of "The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast" last month, the 34-year-old Shepherd disclosed, "I was let go—let go in the most compassionate way possible. It was a tearful experience for both of us since we are friends."
Shepherd reflected on her diminishing satisfaction as the COO of Kardashian West Brands, sensing that it was time for a change. She acknowledged that she might have reached her limit and perceived that her boss sensed it too. With empathy, her boss encouraged her to seek new opportunities that would allow her to flourish, wholeheartedly offering unwavering support.
Shepherd had climbed the corporate ladder at the company before it was confirmed exclusively in 2017 that Kardashian, aged 43, and Shepherd ended their professional relationship after collaborating for four years.
According to an insider at that time, Kardashian's choice was influenced by Shepherd's Refinery29 interview earlier that year, where she talked about her experience working for the reality star.
Stephanie began to believe she was a celebrity in her own right, which displeased Kim. The situation took a turn for the worse following the release of the Refinery29 article," a source revealed. "Although Stephanie still spends time with the family, her relationship with Kim has changed. They maintain a cordial demeanor when they meet, but it is evident that something is different."
Furthermore, another source informed Us that there is no conflict between the two, stating, "Kim holds Steph in high regard and wishes her success."
Shepherd had previously expressed her ambivalent feelings about her job in a 2017 episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, confiding in Kourtney Kardashian. Kim, on the other hand, later addressed the situation and clarified her stance with Shepherd.
During a video with Shepherd in August 2018, Kim expressed her understanding and respect for Shepherd's desire to pursue a new path. She emphasized her willingness to support and uplift those she collaborates with, clarifying that the end of a professional partnership does not equate to discord or the cessation of friendship.
Shepherd acknowledged that she shared the same sentiment and mentioned that she maintained regular contact with Kim, even after they went their separate ways in their careers. In a recent episode of her podcast, "Skinny Confidential," Shepherd commended Kim for how she handled their parting.
The way she handled it was truly remarkable and brought us closer together. She continues to be someone I seek personal and professional advice from regularly," Shepherd explained. "However, deep down inside, I felt that it was time for me to move on. I didn't have a definite plan, but I knew that I needed to explore something new."
She expressed confusion over why her previous work experience with Kim is still being mentioned, stating, "It was such a long time ago. It's also interesting to be recognized for a job I had a decade ago."
In an earlier part of the episode, Shepherd discussed the substantial lessons she gained from her tenure under Kim.
"It is an precise and meticulous machine," she explained. "I often regard it as my graduate school, as it has taught me everything about composing emails to agents, communicating with managers, scheduling glamour appointments, locating photographers, managing product development, and collaborating with publicists. Every aspect of being an entrepreneur in the entertainment industry, I learned from my experience working under Kim."
