Nicole Vs. Paris.

This article focuses on the relationship between celebrities Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie. Richie and Paris Hilton have been BFF (best friends forever) since childhood-close enough to be each other's accessory-but could they now be drifting apart?These days the pair, in their third season on FOX's reality show The Simple Life, are rarely seen together off duty. A friend of both says the rift is growing in direct proportion to Richie's increasing emotional maturity-even though, at 23, she's a whole seven months younger than Hilton. And, say several sources familiar with the situation at Simple Life, fewer leafy greens in her contract. The sources say Hilton gets the higher pay (she's earning an estimated $5 million for this season's Life) and that has made for one riled Richie. INSETS: NICOLE SLIMS DOWN;PARIS: FAB LITTLE RICH GIRL.