The REAL Reason Kim Kardashian & Stephanie Shepherd Parted Ways

In November, INSIDER reported that Kim Kardashian West and her former assistant Stephanie Shepherd were no longer working with each other.

On Sunday night's episode of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," Kardashian West addressed the situation. In a phone call to a friend, she spoke about her decision to end her working relationship with Shepherd.

The KKW Beauty founder said Shepherd had moved into a new role (as chief operations officer for Kardashian West Brands), and had "outgrown" her position. She added that she had told Shepherd to "figure out" what she wants to do.

"She handled it really well, she knew that she needed this time, she knew it wasn't working," Kardashian West said.

When the news surfaced that the reality TV star had let Shepherd go, sources told Us Weekly, People, and other news outlets, that their friendship had become strained. An unnamed source told People that Shepherd was "still friendly with the other sisters but she and Kim aren't really speaking."

But Kardashian West's comments on Sunday's episode seem to suggest that wasn't the case. She said she told Shepherd: "I love you a lot, like a sister."

In November, sources denied there was any resulting friction between the two after Shepherd left the company and pointed out that Shepherd was at Kardashian West's intimate dinner party for her 37th birthday in October, which was only attended by about 20 close friends and family.

After serving as the reality star's assistant since 2013, Shepherd had been promoted to COO for Kardashian West Brands in 2017, where she managed Kardashian West's projects that fall outside of "KUWTK," including Kimoji and her collab with Kylie Cosmetics. But as Us Weekly first reported and our sources confirmed in November, Shepherd and Kardashian West realized Shepherd was overwhelmed by the responsibilities of the new position and they mutually agreed to part ways professionally.

"KUWTK" fans would recognize Shepherd from the E! reality show. Shepherd told Kourtney Kardashian that she was itching to move up in the company and assume larger duties. Kardashian West felt it was inappropriate that Shepherd spoke with her sister about being unhappy in the job.

Representatives for Kardashian West and Shepherd did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Words by Chloe Pantazi and Jethro Nededog at Insider

[Photo via @steph_shep]