Kim Kardashian Drops Steph Shepherd: She 'Went from Being an Assistant to Being a Celebrity'

Don’t mix business with pleasure.

Kim Kardashian West recently parted ways with her longtime assistant Stephanie Shepherd, and now, a source tells PEOPLE the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star plans on maintaining a more professional relationship with her replacement.

“Steph was very friendly with Kim’s family — she was almost part of the family,” says the source of Shepherd, who began working with Kim in 2013 and had become particularly close with Kourtney Kardashian in recent months. 

“Kim needed an assistant where the relationship is more professional,” continues the source. “It’s very difficult to work with friends, so Kim decided to hire someone else. The bottom line is that Steph was hired as an assistant, and Kim wanted to keep it like that. They are not friends now.”

The source also says Kim wanted someone “who has a broader background than Steph — someone with more complex knowledge” to handle a more elevated role. (Shepherd was promoted to COO of Kardashian West Brands earlier this year.)

“Steph went from being an assistant to being a celebrity,” says the source of Shepherd, who has almost 1 million followers on Instagram. “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 Kardashian West (left) and Stephanie Shepherd

Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images

Another source previously told us  that Kardashian West, 37, made an “executive decision” to part ways with Shepherd after an attempt to transition her into a larger role within the star’s brand and businesses “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,” said the source, who added that Shepherd is “still friendly with the other sisters, but she and Kim aren’t really speaking.”

Tension between Kardashian West and Shepherd recently aired on the current season of KUWTK after Kourtney, 38, informed her sister that Shepherd had admitted to feeling “unfulfilled job-wise.”

“I do think it’s inappropriate for her to talk to you and not to me,” said Kardashian West. “Don’t you think that’s a little unprofessional? That’s like, a convo she should have with me.”

Justin Bieber ‘Unliked’ A Photo Of Selena Gomez & Now Her Fans Are Demanding She Dump Him

Fans were thrilled when Justin Bieber reportedly liked a photo of Selena Gomez on Instagram, but when they noticed he then went and unliked the image, questions arose. See the reaction here.

Say it ain’t so! Justin Bieber, 23, went back and ‘unliked’ a photo of a Selena Gomez, 25, that he reportedly double tapped on the night of the American Music Awards. A fan site re-posted one of Sel’s photos, in which she was showing off her new blonde hair, and fan sites reported that the Biebs had ‘liked’ the pic of his on-again love. However, later that night, fans noticed that Justin wasn’t listed as one of the 2,000 plus people who had shown love to the photo! Did he purposely go back and unlike it?! That’s what fans are convinced of, and they’re showing concern about the rekindled Jelena relationship because of it.

As we previously reported, Selena dyed her hair blonde for her big comeback performance at the American Music Awards. While we were hoping Justin would attend the award show with her, she showed up solo, and he noticeably didn’t show her any love on his own social media accounts after the big performance. However, just earlier in the week, the two were photographed sharing a passionate kiss while she supported him at his hockey game, and all signs point to them being full-on back together. Perhaps they just weren’t quite ready for a big red carpet debut — after all, they just reunited one month ago, and amidst all this Selena ended her very serious, ten month relationship with The Weeknd. There’s a LOT going on here!

Immediately the AMAs, Sel jetted to New York City to attend a Lupus Research Gala on Nov. 20, but she was back on a private plane that evening. We’re crossing our finger that some new Jelena photos surface soon so we can be assured that there’s no drama here just because of an Instagram like!

Bella Hadid Finally Makes Amends With Selena Gomez After Year-Long Bitter Feud

Two days after walking in the 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Bella Hadid has finally decided to make peace with Selena Gomez after the singer began dating their mutual former ex boyfriend, The Weeknd, just two months after his split from the model.

Last night, fans of the stars noticed that the 21-year-old model had 'liked' a photo of newly-blonde Gomez, posted on IMG Models' Instagram account.

The move comes almost a year since Hadid quietly 'unfollowed' the 'Fetish' singer on social media, with some suggesting she was hurt when pictures emerged of The Weeknd and Gomez kissing shortly after her break-up from the Canadian crooner.

Selena Gomez Reflects on Reaching a ''Life-or-Death'' Point After Lupus Diagnosis

Selena Gomez won't let her struggle with Lupus define her, but she is committed to finding a cure. 

One day after performing at the 2017 American Music Awards, the pop singer delivered an honest speech at the Lupus Research Alliance's Breaking Through Gala in New York City. Taking the stage in a bright yellow, one-shoulder gown, Gomez reflected on her own journey overcoming the autoimmune disease and the moment she realized her diagnosis was "life-or-death."

"I am really honored to be here with all of you guys tonight, my Lupus community," she shared onstage. "As many of you know or might not know, I was diagnosed with Lupus about five or six years ago."

Selena said she's brought her own private struggle to light to encourage others to seek treatment and "raise awareness" about what it means to live with Lupus. 

Zimbabwe's President Mugabe resigns

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has resigned, parliament speaker Jacob Mudenda has said.

A letter from Mr Mugabe said that the decision was voluntary and that he had made it to allow a smooth transfer of power, the Reuters news agency reports.

The surprise announcement halted an impeachment hearing that had begun against him.

Lawmakers roared in jubilation and people have begun celebrating in the streets.

Mr Mugabe had previously refused to resign despite last week's military takeover and days of protests.

He has been in power since independence in 1980. Mr Mugabe has won elections, but over the past 15 years these have been marred by violence against political opponents.

He has presided over a deepening economic crisis in Zimbabwe, where people are on average 15% poorer now than they were in 1980.

What triggered the moves to oust him was his dismissal of Emmerson Mnangagwa as vice-president two weeks ago.

That decision was seen by many as clearing the way for Mr Mugabe's wife, Grace, to succeed her husband as leader. It riled the military leadership, who stepped in and put Mr Mugabe under house arrest.