sourceNicole Camille Richie (born September 21, 1981) is an American socialite, author, actress, and singer, and is best known for being the daughter of singer Lionel Richie and for her role in The Simple Life.She's 25!
Nicole Richie was born in Berkeley, California. Her biological father is widely rumored to be Afro-Latino musician Pete Escovedo, brother of 1980s pop percussionist Sheila E. and son of famed Latin percussionist Pete Escovedo, but this was directly denied by Nicole in the November 2005 issue of Jane magazine. According to an April 2006 Tatler magazine interview with Nicole, her biological father was a drummer who worked with Lionel Richie; her biological mother was a backstage assistant for Lionel. When Nicole was 3, Lionel and his wife Brenda Harvey-Richie informally adopted her and raised her as their daughter. When she was 9, they went through the legal formalities of the adoption; she still speaks with her biological mother who is also of Afro-Latin diaspora - currently resides in the Dominican Republic. On the The Tyra Banks Show in September 2006, Nicole said of her heritage that she was a "mix of everything" but when asked she just says she is black american. Her godfather is Michael Jackson. A year later, Lionel and Brenda split, and in their guilt over the separation, "Their way of making me happy was to say yes to everything I wanted, but I don't think a little girl should have that much freedom," said Richie in an interview with Vanity Fair magazine. She used marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, was arrested three times, and was involved in five car accidents. Not until she went into drug rehabilitation in 2003 did Richie and her parents have an open conversation about her addiction."I'm now, at 24, just learning to deal with my problems instead of concealing them with drugs," she said in the interview. Nicole has studied the cello, violin, piano, and figure skating, and has plans to pursue a music career. She also attended the University of Arizona for two years after graduating from high school. She stated, "I went to the University of Arizona. I stopped because I went there for two years and I felt like I experienced college or whatever. I'm over it."In February of 2003, Richie was arrested in Malibu, California, and charged with possession of heroin. She has since been a patient in a drug-rehabilitation hospital. In December 2003, she publicly spoke out in defense of her godfather Michael Jackson following his accusations of child molestation. Following the 2003 Billboard Music Awards, the FCC received 80,000 complaints after Richie said "fucking" and "shit" during the show's broadcast (the network didn't edit the words). This was the FCC's complaint record, until it was broken following Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's appearance at Super Bowl XXXVIII. The FCC ruled that the words were indecent, but did not fine FOX. In early 2005, Richie received tabloid speculation of having an eating disorder. Richie, however, said that "I've always been really skinny. I just went through a heavier stage after rehab and during Simple Life 1. Now I have a trainer and the weight has gradually come off." She also claims that she does not have a current battle with an eating disorder. Like many other young stars, Nicole claims she is targeted with rumors involving her personal life. The ever-present rumor involving Nicole has a direct relationship with her weight. Richie, however, acknowledged in a May 2006 Vanity Fair interview that she knew that she was too thin and stated that she was on the path to gaining weight, adding that she was worried young girls would want to look like her. Though recently on an August 2006 issue of "OK!" it stated Richie only eats one meal a day. Ignoring doctor's warnings, she works out at least an hour a day, and reported that she eats when she sees a picture opportunity. Her friend adds that, "She wants to gain at least 10 pounds, but the very idea of adding 10 extra pounds into her body is unbearable for her". Recently, Nicole appeared in a music video with her father for "I Call It Love", opposite CSI: Miami actor Adam Rodriguez. Nicole's stylist, Rachel Zoe, is also the stylist of three of her friends, Mischa Barton, Lindsay Lohan and Andrew Brin.Other September 21st Birthdays:Larry Hagman-Actor (75)Stephen King-Author (59)Bill Murray-Actor/Comedian (56)David James Elliott-Actor/JAG (46)Nancy Travis-Actress/Becker (45)Rob Morrow-Actor/Northern Exposure (44)Cheryl Hines-Actress (41)Faith Hill-Country Singer (39)Ricki Lake-Actress-Talk Show Host (38)Luke Wilson-Actor (35)Maggie Grace-Actress/Lost (23)
