Nicole Richie
AKA Nicole Camille Escovedo
Born: 21-Sep-1981
Birthplace: Berkeley, CA
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Multiracial
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: TV Personality
Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Paris Hilton's ex-pal
Nicole Richie is the
adopted daughter of pop singer Lionel Richie. She sprang to celebrity in 2003, co-staring with so-called "socialite" Paris Hilton in the Fox's bizarre The Simple Life reality show.
Richie is a mix of caucasian, Black Creole and Hispanic extraction. She was adopted by Richie when she was nine years old. Her genetic father is 1980s pop musician Pete Escovedo Jr., whose sister is singer Sheila E. Their father, Pete Escovedo Sr., is a famous Latin jazzman.
Richie became best buds with Hilton when both girls were two years old, and both attended The Buckley School, a prestigious private day care center. Raised in wealth, Richie has never worked a day in her life, except, of course, for laughs, when the cameras were rolling for The Simple Life.
She wants to be a rock star, and her debut album is in the works. She has performed with a rock band of no renown called Darling, and played cello in school.
Michael Jackson is Richie's godfather, and she has publicly come to Jackson's defense against charges of improper sexual behavior with children. As a youngster, Richie says, she often visited Jackson's Neverland Ranch, and slept in Jackson's bedroom. "You know, a group of us would all sleep in the same room. It was like, absolutely nothing more than just ... an adult kind of wanting to be a kid again. Just, you know, enjoying the company of children. I grew up with him. I have spent many evenings there and many days there. I can only speak for myself, but absolutely nothing went on." (Of course, it has never been alleged that Jackson had any interest in young girls.)
Richie also came to Kobe Bryant's defense during his rape trial, publicly stating, "I want to have sex with him."
In February 2003, Richie was arrested for possession of heroin, a felony, and driving with a suspended license, a misdemeanor. She posted a $10,000 bail to appear in the first season of The Simple Life.
At one time, Richie says, she had six pet rats. All were named for the cast of Beverly Hills 90210, including rats Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry, and Tori Spelling. "I told Tori about how I named my rat after her and [she] tried to pretend it was funny, but I could tell it hurt her feelings. Tori felt I think her face looks like a rat's ..."
Richie is the celebrity spokesperson for Bongo jeans.
In a June 2004 interview, she proclaimed her virginity.
Father: Peter Michael Escovedo (musician, musical director on The Wayne Brady Show)
Father: Lionel Richie (adoptive father)
Mother: Brenda Harvey-Richie (adoptive mother)
Boyfriend: Tobey Maguire (ex-)
Boyfriend: Adam Goldstein (aka Los Angeles DJ A.M.)
Boyfriend: Justin Guarini (dating, possibly engaged, as of 2005)
University: University of Arizona (dropped out)
Adopted
Drug Possession: Heroin Malibu, CA Feb-2003
Driving with a Suspended License Malibu, CA Feb-2003
Risk Factors: Smoking, Heroin
TELEVISION
The Simple Life
