Stephanie Shepherd first became Kim Kardashian’s assistant in 2013, but a source close to the Kardashian family told PEOPLE in November 2017 that after four years of working together, the reality star decided to part company with Shepherd.
“Kim decided to let Stephanie go,” an insider told PEOPLE. “She was a good assistant, but when Stephanie wanted to move into a bigger role with Kim’s brand and business, it just didn’t work out. Kim gave her a chance, but after a short time it became clear that Stephanie just wasn’t “I don’t have the skills to take on that kind of role. Kim made the executive decision to split.”
The source added that Shepherd “is still friends with the other sisters, but she and Kim don’t really talk.”
However, any issues between them seemed to be ironed out after Shepherd’s departure. Shepherd was on Kardashian’s list of friends (and some enemies) who received KKW Fragrance Valentine’s Day gifts in 2018, and Shepherd posted a photo of her with a heart emoji. Then, in August 2018, both Shepherd and Kardashian denied rumors of a feud. In September 2021, Kardashian even gave Shepherd a $25,000 Hermès bag for her birthday.
While he was a guest on The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast in November 2023, Shepherd spoke candidly about her dismissal and how the two remained friends.
“It was such a big deal at the time,” she said. “I mean, fired in the best sense of the word. I cried, she cried, because we are friends. And honestly, that friendship is very important to both of us.”
Shepherd explained that she felt ready to “move on” and that Kardashian “probably felt it and saw it.” The former aide continued: “She was like, ‘You need something more. You’ve got this, go with it. I’ll support you, whatever you need.’ And it was the most beautiful parting.”
After her split from Kardashian, Shepherd turned to modeling, landing a March 2018 campaign as the face of 8 Other Reasons, a trendy, bohemian jewelry line — while enjoying her status as a full-fledged Instagram influencer. She later co-founded Future Earth, a non-profit organization that aims to use social media to share information about environmental protection and climate change. Shepherd also began acting, landing a supporting role in the Prime Video film 2022. Something from Tiffany.
Here are six things to know about Kardashian’s former assistant.
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She started her career as a dancer for the Cleveland Cavaliers
Years before Shepherd met Kardashian, she started dancing for the Cleveland Cavaliers when she was 18.
“I don’t know what’s the most embarrassing thing about this picture,” she wrote alongside a subsequent photo on Instagram in uniform, which she has since deleted.
She worked as an assistant at a The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star before she started working for Kardashian
In a 2017 interview with Refinery29, Shepherd revealed that after moving from Cleveland to Los Angeles, she worked part-time at a gym before meeting choreographer Mikey Minden, who hired her to work as an assistant for him and his client number one: Erika Girardi.
“When I say I came from a small town, I mean I would pass cows on the way to school. It was country life: bonfires and football games. Our nicest restaurant was Olive Garden,” she said. “So when I came here, it was a whole different thing. I’d never seen a Range Rover. I hadn’t really traveled; I didn’t know what Givenchy was or how to pronounce it. Mikey and Erika took me under their wing and taught me all. We traveled the world together. They both opened my eyes to so much about being a diligent, meticulous assistant, yes, but also about all the things life has to offer.”
Her employment caused drama Keeping up with the Kardashians
In the 2017 episode Keeping up with the KardashiansKourtney Kardashian told Kim that Shepherd — who eventually became COO of Kardashian West Brands — didn’t feel fulfilled working for her.
“Just a heads up, we talked and she said she doesn’t know what she wants to do in life,” the eldest Kardashian sister said. “She feels like maybe she’s at a place in her life where she’s unfulfilled, work-wise.”
Kourtney added, “I feel like he just wants to, like, evolve.”
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She takes responsibility for marijuana-themed Kimojis
While serving as COO of Kardashian West Brands, Shepherd said that she and KUWTK the star kept sending messages about Kimoji ideas.
“Obviously, Kim and I text all day, every day,” she told Refinery29. “From the second we wake up until we go to bed, we’re just bouncing ideas off, like, ‘Oh my God, this is so funny, make it a Kimoji!’ It’s fun to have an idea and see it come to life.”
And one of those ideas was focused on marijuana. “Kim doesn’t smoke, but I’m trying to bring in weed paraphernalia… you know, for the youngsters,” Shepherd added.
She married former Apple Music executive Larry Jackson
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Stephanie Shepherd and Larry Jackson. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Shepherd met Jackson, the former global creative director of Apple Music, a few years before they started dating, back when he was Kanye West’s manager. But it wasn’t until their paths crossed on West’s Life of Pablo tour in Miami that Shepherd and Jackson found themselves together.
She also said that he wasn’t the first friend of West’s that she dated.
“I didn’t date anyone for the first two years of working with Kim because there just wasn’t time,” she told Refinery29. “And then I met a DJ who was working with Kanye, but it just didn’t work out — we were too busy. But man, that probably sounds so bad. I should really stop going out with Kanye’s friends!”
The couple married on June 24, 2023. Kardashian attended the wedding, wearing an Alaïa dress with cutouts.
She wants to be like Kris Jenner one day
Although Shepherd has spent a lot of time working for the Kardashians, she hopes to catch a glimpse of the famous mom.
“Kris Jenner is a j—— G,” she told Refinery29. “The biggest lesson she taught me was not to procrastinate. When you want something done, do it. If you procrastinate, this is not the world for you. If someone tells her no, she has no problem standing her ground and saying, ‘We don’t accept that; get someone on the phone and do it.”
Shepherd continued, “That woman can literally make a phone call and change the world. And somehow, she manages all these kids, all their careers, and still makes sure that every assistant, every staff member, has a Christmas present, delivered by Christmas, with a thoughtful card And that’s it Nice Christmas present. That’s the kind of person I want to be one day.”
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Source: HIS Education