Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's parents admit they were "mistaken" to caution their daughters against appearing on "The Simple Life."

Their reality show "The Simple Life" catapulted Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie to stardom, but initially, their families were not supportive.

Kathy and Richard Hilton's daughter, Hilton, and Lionel Richie's daughter, Richie, had been friends for years before becoming socialite starlets on the show.

Kathy admitted to being completely wrong about her daughter's modeling career. She had only wanted her to go to school and become a veterinarian, but her daughter went ahead and did a show instead. Kathy shared this story during a holiday party hosted by Planet Chronicle Digital, which benefited families at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California.

She added, "It was the funniest thing I've ever seen. No other experience will ever be as amusing. It's impossible to replicate."

Lionel also expressed uncertainty about the girls' decision to venture into the wilderness, stating to Entertainment Tonight earlier this year, "When they first started driving down the freeway backwards and I kept asking, 'What are you guys doing?' [they'd reply] 'It's reality television, Dad!'"

According to Hilton, our parents disapproved of our plan and advised against it.

The duo was sent to rural Arkansas by "The Simple Life" without any cellphones, money or designer gear to work and live with a family on their farm, while experiencing the fish-out-of-water contrasts as they struggled to adapt and as the town's people were amazed by their apparent lack of knowledge.

"She went ahead and did that show, and I was wrong… It was the funniest." — Kathy Hilton

The success of the show led to the creation of four additional seasons and paved the way for reality TV shows like "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."

Lionel revealed to ET that he was the first to participate in the show's success, despite not knowing if the world was aware that they started the mess.

"Hilton told Glamour that it was the first of its kind and that they heard they were going to be sent somewhere without knowing the destination. After the first episode aired, Hilton's mom called her and said it was the most hilarious show she had ever seen, praising Hilton and Nicole's performances. She also admitted that she had been wrong once."

Kathy described the show's appeal to Us Weekly, stating that it was devoid of swearing and fighting, and instead was adorably cute, enjoyable, and lighthearted, much like her own personality.

The Simple Life catapulted the girls to genuine celebrity status beyond their familial renown.

"Richie told Glamour that the reason they said yes to the adventure was solely for the purpose of having fun. They thought it would be an adventure and didn't know what town they were going to. The model of doing it to build a brand did not exist back then, so they were solely doing it because they have always chased joy and wanted to have fun."

Unfortunately, with fame and enjoyment came additional scrutiny from fans, detractors, and the media.

"In the 2000s, the media was extremely toxic and targeted certain young girls, including Nicole and me, making it difficult for us to discover our identities while being watched by the whole world. However, the media now seems to be more respectful and safer, with a focus on creating more accurate and respectful storylines."

"We were solely doing it because we have always chased joy and wanted to have fun." — Nicole Richie

Richie admitted that the toll of the situation was greater than he initially thought, but looking back, he realized its impact on his daily life and choices. However, it has also served as a strong motivation for him to assert his own voice and narrative. He is proud of the progress women have made in speaking out against unacceptable behavior.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Richie stated that he was not angry about anything and believed that there were and are more mature 20-year-olds than he was. However, he added that boundaries were not something that he was encouraged to have.

"Paris & Nicole: The Encore" on Peacock marks the reunion of Hilton and Richie 20 years after the series' premiere.

In the first episode of the three-part series, the group returns to Altus, Arkansas, and reconnects with some of the individuals they met in town, including the patrons at the bar where Richie accidentally spilled bleach on a pool table, leading to a misunderstanding.

"The ’00s were vicious to all the girls." — Paris Hilton

The Ledings, the family they initially stayed with, declined to be on camera for their part of the reunion, but during the episode, Hilton described reconnecting with them as "really special."

Richie said, "It was really nice to thank them. Honestly, 20 years ago, we really did come and plow through that city like bats out of hell."

The special's ultimate goal is not to reunite with all their past adventures. Instead, Hilton and Richie aim to complete an opera based on a song they made up as children, consisting of one nonsense word, "Sanasa."

"Richie stated to THR that they never intended to sit on a couch and recap their previous activities while expressing enjoyment, but they were open to the idea of blending with musical elites for a unique fish-out-of-water experience."

The longtime friends collaborate with composers, singers, including Sia, and others to stage an opera in three weeks.

Richie revealed to W magazine that "The Simple Life" was initially just an inside joke among the crew, but it eventually gained international popularity. Despite not realizing it, people require "Sanasa" to be an opera.

The opera's unexpected nature was what made us love it, according to Hilton.

And now, their families are on board with the reality concept.

""Kathy stated in Us Weekly that she believes it will be thrilling, as the two of them form a lively pair," rephrased."

Lionel joked, "Those two still scare me just standing next to each other," adding, "Now they're back together, oh my God — world, brace yourself. Thank God I'm older and my medication will help me get through this next phase of our lives."

"Paris & Nicole: The Encore" is streaming now on Peacock.