Kim K Reportedly Fired Her Assistant Stephanie Shepherd & You May Need A Moment

As if Stacy London blocking Clinton Kelly on Twitter wasn’t already too much for reality TV watchers’ hearts to take, it sounds like another famous professional relationship has hit the rocks. According to People and Us Weekly, Kim Kardashian and Stephanie Shepherd have reportedly stopped working together. Oh, and the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star may or may not be speaking to her longtime assistant. Neither Kim K nor Stephanie have publicly confirmed their parting of ways. Bustle has reached out to Kim K's rep for comment, but has yet to hear back.

A source told Us Weekly that Kim and Stephanie “agreed their working relationship was no longer working." The source added, “There isn’t bad blood there. They still hang out and are friends, but they have gone their separate ways and are not working together anymore.” Well, that's a relief — but since the source is unnamed, interpret how you may.

A second source claimed Kim let her assistant go weeks ago, stating that it’s been a “downward spiral” since Steph Shep was profiled by Refinery29. Well, that's less of a relief — but again, interpret how you may.

People’s source offered up a slightly different account regarding whether or not Stephanie and Kimmy K are still chummy. According to the magazine’s insider, “[Stephanie is] still friendly with the other sisters but she and Kim aren’t really speaking.” Zoinks. The unnamed source also 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.”

Their professional relationship is apparently over, but the jury’s still out on whether or not their friendship has remained intact.

Steph Shep has become a fixture of E!’s flagship reality series, Kourtney Kardashian’s Instagram posts, and Kim’s company. As the aforementioned Refinery29 profile revealed, “this year, she was promoted to COO of Kardashian West Brands, meaning that she'll now also head up all of Kim's many, many business ventures outside of KUWTK.”

And it’s all thanks to Robin Antin. Steph Shep told Refinery29 that the Pussycat Dolls legend recommended her for the position of Kim’s assistant back in 2013. After a few interviews, the former NBA dancer was welcomed into the Kim K empire, “doing her whole schedule, doing her laundry, booking travel, putting the stroller together and all of these things.” This eventually turned into a spot at the helm of Kim’s business endeavors, as well as a place in KUWTK fans’ hearts.

Though Kim has technically been Steph Shep's superior for many moons, that hasn’t stopped them from cultivating a friendship off the clock, too. Their bond has been a thing of beauty, and it has yielded important moments like the photo series Kim K posted on Steph Shep’s birthday last year. Granted, their relationship has never been as straightforward as Stephanie’s friendship with Kourtney, but how could it be? Kim is, er, was Steph Shep's boss. A less konventional boss, sure, but still her boss. Sadly, it sounds like their non-traditional working relationship has run its kourse.

Kim and Stephanie have always seemed to have a cool and fun dynamic, and it'd be sad if their connection was a thing of the past. The reported dissolution of their professional relationship is a bummer, and the maybe-dissolution of their friendship? Ugh, say it isn’t so.

Before you let your feelings get the best of you, here's something to consider: If Steph Shep really did vacate her Kardashian West Brands post, this might be good for their kinship in the long run. Removing business from the equation could allow the duo to grow even closer, à la Kourt and Shep. They could finally be best friends without any complications. There may be a perfectly contoured silver lining to this after all.