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Earlier this month, it was revealed Kim Kardashian-West and her long-time personal assistant slash friend Stephanie Shepherd had parted ways. Well, that’s a nice way of putting it. The reality star reportedly fired Shepherd as she wasn’t up to the elevated role Kardashian had assigned her. (That role was COO of Kardashian West Brands.)

“Kim made a decision to let Stephanie go,” an insider said. “She was a good assistant, but when Stephanie wanted to transition into a larger role with Kim’s brand and businesses, it just didn’t work. Kim gave her the chance, but after a short period of time it became clear that Stephanie just didn’t have the knowledge to take on a role like that. Kim made an executive decision to part ways. She and Kim aren’t really speaking.”

Another source added: “Steph went from being an assistant to being a celebrity. For a regular girl, she has a huge social media following. She loves the attention, but it took away from her job. There was a feeling that being Kim’s assistant, Steph should stay more in the background. But Kim is the one who helped her get the followers by posting pictures with Steph.”

“Kim needed an assistant where the relationship is more professional. The bottom line is that Steph was hired as an assistant, and Kim wanted to keep it like that. They are not friends now.”

Instagram/kimkardashian

For weeks, Shepherd has remained quiet. But there’s been speculation overnight that an story post on her Instagram account is less than subtlety cryptic. “Self care isn’t always Lush bath bombs & $20 face masks,” she wrote. “Sometimes, it’s going to bed @ 8PM or letting go of a bad friend. It’s forgiving yourself for not meeting your impossible standards & understanding you are worth it. Self-care isn’t always a luxury but a mean[s] for survival.”

Doesn’t look like we’re going to see any more of these times anytime soon:

Instagram/kimkardashian
Instagram/kimkardashian
Instagram/kimkardashian