Biography
Date of Birth
21 December 1981, Berkeley, California, USA
Birth Name
Nicole Camille Escovedo
Nickname
Nikki
Height
5' 2" (1.57 m)
Mini Biography
The outspoken, wise-cracking comedic socialite and star of The Simple Life (2003), Nicole Camille Escovedo was born in Berkeley, California on September 21, 1981. She is the adopted daughter of singer Lionel Richie and his then-wife, Brenda Harvey, and socialite Paris Hilton's former best friend. Richie had been looked after by the Richies since she was 2-years-old but was not legally adopted by them until she was nine-years-old. Shortly after Nicole's adoption was formalized, Lionel's affair with another woman became public knowledge which resulted in a bitter split, which was highly publicized by the tabloid press. Nicole began attending weekly sessions with a psychotherapist and remained in therapy throughout her childhood. Lionel later re-married, giving Nicole two half-siblings: Myles (born 1994) and Sofia (born 1998). In 1986, Richie started kindergarten at The Buckley School, in Sherman Oaks, California, where she met Paris Hilton. Richie graduated from Montclair College Preparatory School in 1999. She also studied Arts and Media for two years at the University of Arizona before dropping out and returning to California.
She starred alongside best friend, fellow socialite Paris Hilton, in the hugely successful reality series, The Simple Life (2003). Richie is now engaged to Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden and the couple have two children together: daughter Harlow Winter Kate Madden (born January 11, 2008)[33] and son Sparrow James Midnight Madden (born September 9, 2009). She has made an acting appearance in the comedy-drama film, Kids in America (2005), followed by guest appearances in television series, including Eve (2003), Six Feet Under (2001) and American Dreams (2002), 8 Simple Rules (2002) and Chuck (2007).
Trivia
Her godparents are Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and oil heiress Nancy Davis.
Was adopted by Lionel Richie and his then-wife Brenda Harvey-Richie in 1990 and renamed Nicole Richie.
Attended the University of Arizona at the same time as professional basketball player Luke Walton, actress Heather Blair and reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian.
She is currently (2004) a member of fledgling rock band "Darling" along with model Josie Maran, and society sisters Soleil Alberti and Sofia Alberti.
Biological father is believed to be Peter Michael Escovedo and a reunion was staged on The Wayne Brady Show (2002). But Nicole has stated in interviews that Escovedo is not her birth father.
Attended The Buckley School with her best friend Paris Hilton.
Was offered and accepted the chance to star in The Simple Life (2003) with her pal Paris Hilton after Nicky Rothschild turned it down.
Has a dog named Honeychild.
Has a dog, Foxy Cleopatra the Dog, named after Beyoncé's character in Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002).
Niece of Sheila E., Juan Escovedo and Zina Escovedo.
Graduated from Montclair College Prep School.
Her album will be coming out in early 2005.
Is friends with singer Fefe Dobson.
Her father, Lionel Richie, wrote the song "Ballerina Girl" for her.
Along with Tara Reid, Paris Hilton, Nicky Rothschild, Bijou Phillips, Kimberly Stewart, Lindsay Lohan & Kim Kardashian West, is one of Hollywood's most famous party girls.
Had a falling out with co-star and former best friend Paris Hilton. [2005]
Along with Beyoncé, Veronica Webb, Kelly Osborn, Angie Everhart, Alexandra Richards, Irina Pantaeva, Marisa Miller, Wyclef Jean, Rachel Hunter, Naomi Campbell and Janice Dickinson, she participated in the "Fashion for Relief" show on 16 September, 2005 in New York, a benefit for AmeriCares to support victims for Hurricane Katrina. Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale were among the celebrities who attended.
Called off engagement to DJ AM.
Named #37 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list.
Deejay DJ AM gave Richie a pink sapphire ring while they were engaged.
Was one of the guests at Lindsay Lohan's 19th birthday party
Is into reading and learning about different religions, something she had experience with on The Simple Life (2003) when she stayed with a family that practiced Islam.
Recorded a demo CD in preparation for her upcoming album.
Good friends with actress Mischa Barton, and Jessica Alba.
Has an exotic Bengal cat named Chi-Chi-Cheeta.
Was arrested on suspicion of DUI on December 11, 2006 in Burbank, California.
Engaged to Joel Madden. [February 2010]
Is often seen singing karaoke alongside Lindsay Lohan, Bo Barrett, Michelle Rodriguez, and Emile Hirsch.
Gave birth to her 1st child at age 26, a daughter named Harlow Winter Kate Madden on January 11, 2008. Child's father is her boyfriend (now husband), Joel Madden.
In January 2008, she and Joel Madden sold the first pictures of their newborn daughter, Harlow, for $1,000,000.
Has hypoglycemia.
Gave birth to her 2nd child at age 27, a son named Sparrow James Midnight Madden on September 9, 2009. Child's father is her boyfriend (now husband), Joel Madden.
Hospitalized with pneumonia at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles [November 18, 2009].
Was close friends with Aaliyah.
Sister-in-law of Benji Madden and Cameron Diaz.
Can be seen on her new FOX reality show with best friend, Paris Hilton, The Simple Life (2003). [January 2004]
Attended the launch of the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 alongside actress pal Mischa Barton. [June 2006]
Release of her book, "The Truth about Diamonds: A Novel". [2005]
Filming another season of The Simple Life (2003) with Paris Hilton, although they are both filmed separately due to their falling-out. [March 2006]
Announced she will be designing her own line of maternity clothes. [March 2008]
Went to Ashley Margolis and Zoe Winkler's "Host a July Bash with Drinks by 10 Cane Drum", along with other celebrities. [July 2006]
Attended the Social Hollywood Bash presented by Charlize Theron to Benefit the Charlize Africa Outreach Program among hundreds of other celebrity guests. [June 2006]
Engaged to Disc Jockey DJ AM (February 8, 2005) No wedding date currently set. [February 2005]
Longtime friend of Tracey E. Edmonds. One of Tracey's sons is her god-brother.
In Chuck (2007), she was beaten by Yvonne Strahovski.
Older sister of Sofia Richie and Miles Richie.
Good friends with Christina Aguilera, Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian West, and Khloé Kardashian.
Trademarks:
Wearing headbands and oversize sunglasses
Quotes
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. I like Hollywood better.
I do love to shop. But I'm a social shopper. I like to do it while hanging out with my friends. Some of them hate shopping because they treat it like something you have to plan, like a grocery list. But if I'm out and I pass a store, I just pop in.
People would ask me about being a voluptuous woman. It was weird because I've been skinny my whole life.
I think fame is harder when people have something to hide, but I'm very comfortable, and have nothing to hide.
To me it was the epitome of caring about absolutely nothing, There were points when my mom would come home and scream at me about something, and I literally didn't care about anything. It was like watching a really dramatic movie with the volume turned down. I thought I was getting away with everything, when the reality was that I was arrested three times and had five car accidents. Two were totals.
I have really good instincts about friends.
I'm not insecure, but I'm not like, 'Hi, I'm confident.'
Staying sober is something that I don't really even have to think about. I just live my life as today, and today I have great friends, a very stable fiancé, and am very close with my family.
You just have to go after what you want you want and if it doesn't want you back, then, so be it - it doesn't deserve you anyways. [On following your dreams]
I'm so used to high drama and high energy all the time -- I always sleep with the TV on.
I'm very happy with my life and I wouldn't take back any mistake I've made because it's made me who I am today. I live a very honest life, and I'm happy with the way I'm leading it.
I don't have a clue why I'm famous, either. But I didn't make myself famous. I'm not doing it: you're doing it. But I'm going to live my life whether people are interested in it or not.
I had to address it and say 'No, I don't have an eating disorder.' I've never gone a day without putting food in my mouth. So I want to know why I'm the face of a problem.
I love Kobe Bryant because I want him to have sex with me!
The one thing I always look for in a guy is for them to be circumcised.
