Kim Kardashian hires Yeezy branding guru to replace Stephanie Shepherd - report

Kim Kardashian West has added a new staffer to her reality empire after the unceremonious exit of her former assistant Stephanie Shepherd.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star's decision to part ways with Stephanie, who had risen from lowly assistant to chief operating officer (COO) of the reality star's business empire, Kim Kardashian West Brands, in just four years, hit headlines last week (end19Nov17).

Kim dropped Stephanie from the role of COO after the former executive assistant's bid "to transition into a larger role with Kim's brand and businesses" reportedly didn't work out, according to People.

Now, the New York Post's gossip column Page Six has reported that the Selfie author has hired Tracy Nguyen Romulus, an experienced branding guru who got her start at America's Next Top Model judge Kelly Cutrone's fashion PR company People's Revolution.

Tracy is well known to the Kardashian clan after having worked on several seasons of Kanye West's successful Yeezy line.

The PR executive will take charge of Kim's brands; KKW Beauty, KKW Fragrance, Kimoji, the Kids Supply and other lines after exiting firm Sunshine Sachs.

Stephanie's ousting came amid rumors that Kim didn't approve of an interview she gave to website Refinery 29 spilling the beans about working for the reality star, while also divulging details about the harrowing Paris robbery. And a few weeks ago, Kim discovered from sister Kourtney, who is close to Stephanie, during an October episode of KUWTK, that the assistant had revealed she felt unfulfilled with her career.

"She's still friendly with the other sisters but she and Kim aren't really speaking," the insider told People. "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 has also scaled back her connection with personal publicist Ina Treciokas, as the mother-of-two, who is expecting her third child by surrogate in January (18), reportedly no longer needs full-time help with red carpet and editorial appearances.