Paris On Benji: "We're Just Taking A Break..."

Paris Hilton called in to 102.7 KIIS FM to chat with Ryan Seacrest about her upcoming projects, her BFFs, her life, and oh yeah, that recent breakup!

This is the first time Paris has spoken out about her split from Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden, and when Ryan asked about it, Paris responded:

"Well, you know, right now we're just taking a break and um, we're really good friends, we're very close."

When asked what the future might hold for the two of them, Paris said:

"I love him, he's such an amazing man; he's my best friend, and he's been so great to me and so loyal - he's an incredible person and we'll always be close. So we'll see what happens in the future. I'm still in love with him."

Ryan told the heiress he was very surprised about her sudden breakup, and he tried to get more details as to why the two ended their 9 month relationship. Paris said:

"Right now, we're just better off as friends. We're both working so much and I'm traveling and he's been working non-stop in the studio with his brother on their new record. I'm working, traveling and there's all these reports saying I dumped Benji and that's not true - this was a decision we made together, as two adults."

When asked if her hanging out with ex-boyfriend Stavros Niarchos in Miami last weekend had anything to do with the split, Paris said:

"That's ridiculous. Literally I was in Miami on a girls' weekend with some BFFs from the show and we were just sitting there and Stavros came up and said 'Hi, hello, how are you.' [It was] a very quick conversation, and someone must have gotten a quick camera phone picture me just smiling and saying hello to someone I haven't seen in a year. I have no problem with him; he's my ex; I have not seen him in a year."

So what did Benji think about all this? Paris said:

"He's [Benji's] not a jealous person and he knows that I have no interest in him [Stavros] whatsoever."

When asked if there was any cheating, Paris said no and added:

"I've never been treated so well in my life or trusted anyone like this. He's a very special person; there's no one like him."

Ryan asked if her relationship with Nicole Richie (who is with Benji's brother Joel) was affected by the breakup, and Paris responded:

"No, I love Joel and Nicole and their whole family and Nicole and I don't get in each others' relationships - we've had a friendship that's been going on since we were two years old and nothing would change that."

Paris continued to chat/gush about Benji, and said:

"You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. Even my parents when they met him, they were like 'Oh, oh my god, all the tattoos,' but then when they met him they were like, 'Oh, we love him, he's so sweet. What a good person.' He really made me grow over the past year."

When asked about rumors that Benji was "too controlling," Paris replied:

"He's not controlling at all, he's just very protective as any man would be, who's in love. He just wants the best for me. He wants me to make the right choices. I think anyone who's spreading rumors like that is just someone who i want out of my life because since I've been with him, I've separated myself from a lot of the places I used to go and the people I used to know."

Ryan asked how Benji was doing, and Paris said:

"He's going great - we talk every day; we see each other. We're really close, and he's really busy - they have their remix record for Coachella coming out in a couple of days, yeah he's just excited for the new record."

Ryan asked Paris if she's thought about the dating scene since the breakup, to which the heiress responded:

"No, that's the last thing on my mind. I still obviously have feelings for Benji; and I'll always love him and I don't want to date anyone, just the thought of that just grosses me out."

Finally, Ryan asked about Paris' holiday plans, and she revealed that though she's bummed about being single this winter, her and Nicky are going to Sydney, Australia to host a New Year's party. Hey, nothing helps heal a breakup like partying your butt off!