Friends close to Paris Hilton have confirmed she and boyfriend Benji Madden have split after a nine-month romance.

The couple split at the beginning of the week after Hilton was snapped partying with ex-boyfriend Stavros Niarchos in Miami, Florida.

A source close to Hilton tells People.com, "She is saddened by the break-up but they're just too different and they wanted different things in life. He was loyal and sweet but it was time to take a break."

But the Hilton contact denies reports the socialite dumped Madden to reconcile with Niarchos: "In no way are they romantic, nor do they want to get back together."

And Vanessa Fontana, a contestant on Hilton's new U.S. reality show BFF, has also confirmed the sad news.

She tells Life + Style magazine, "Sadly, it's true. Paris and Benji have split. I love Paris, and I just want her to be happy. I think that they'll be better as friends.

"Nobody else is involved. Paris and Benji were loyal and faithful to each other. I was with Paris in Miami, and Stavros came over to our table, and the two of them talked for literally two minutes. It was a friendly conversation. They definitely did not hook up."