The 1994 O.J. Simpson murder trial for the death of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson shocked audiences who followed along with the televised court proceedings, but reality star Kris Jenner had a front row seat because of her very personal ties to the couple and O.J.'s defense team, which included her late ex-husband and attorney Robert Kardashian. Ahead of the upcoming FX drama TV series "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story," Jenner opened up to People magazine about her friendship with both O.J. and Nicole.
"[O.J. and Nicole] were two of the best friends I ever had in my entire life," Jenner, 60, told People.
She said Kardashian introduced her to the former NFL star and his wife Nicole when Jenner was 17 years old and the Kardashian/Simpson families were close - they even celebrated their children's birthdays and shared family vacations together. Jenner said she had lunch plans with Nicole on the day that her body was found.
"I went to bed one night and I woke up the next morning and my entire universe had changed," she told People. "They were two of the best friends I ever had in my entire life. They were my family. O.J. was like my big brother. So I not only mourned the loss of Nicole, but I mourned the loss of O.J. and that relationship."
Jenner said she hopes that "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story" will help raise awareness to domestic violence, an issue that she learned Nicole suffered from during her marriage.
"[Nicole's death] could have been prevented," Jenner told People. "And if Nicole's legacy can be protecting other women, then that would be a really positive thing."
Actor David Schwimmer is set to portray the role of Kardashian in the upcoming series, and actress Selma Blair is set to portray a grief-stricken Jenner, as previously reported by HNGN. The series is set to premiere on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 10 p.m. on FX.
