PARIS HILTON - HILTON STUNNED BY LACHEY REPORTS

PARIS HILTON is stunned by reports she once had an affair with NICK LACHEY - because she didn't even know who he was until very recently.

The blonde hotel heiress, who shared the stage with Lachey at last year's (04) MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS, insists she has never had a romance with the former 98 DEGREES hunk, married to JESSICA SIMPSON.

She tells US WEEKLY, "I never dated Nick! I didn't even know who he was until after he married Jessica."

Hilton and pal LINDSAY LOHAN's feelings towards Simpson were questioned recently when Hilton's T-MOBILE sidekick was hacked and the contents posted onto the internet, including supposed negative messages about Simpson.

Hilton explains, "(Jessica's) really sweet. I've never had anything against her... I wish Nick and Jessica nothing but the best."