Nicole Camille Richie (née Escovedo; born September 21, 1981) is an American media personality, fashion designer, and actress.

She came to prominence after appearing on the reality television series The Simple Life (2003–2007), in which she starred alongside her friend and fellow socialite Paris Hilton.

Following the conclusion of The Simple Life, Richie continued her career in television, appearing as one of the three judges on the reality competition series Fashion Star (2012–2013).

From 2017 to 2018, Richie starred in her first series regular acting role as Portia Scott-Griffith in the sitcom Great News.

"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 a 2006 interview with Vanity Fair.

[16] Richie regularly interacted with musicians her father knew, including Michael Jackson (who was her godfather), Prince and Kenny Rogers.

[11] In 2003, Richie and her best friend, Paris Hilton, starred in the reality series The Simple Life, in which they lived for a month with a family in the rural community of Altus, Arkansas.

[22] Complications arose during production of the fifth season, with both Richie and Hilton facing major charges for DUI, and at risk of serving jail time.

Richie has guest starred in television series including Eve, Six Feet Under, American Dreams, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, and Chuck.

[28] Richie appeared as a guest judge during the premiere episode of the seventh season of the reality competition series Project Runway.

[35] When speaking about Richie's casting, Fey stated that she was "a really funny person" with "an instant likability" and "good timing without really pushing it.

[37] Sonia Saraiya of Variety called Richie's performance "a turn that reveals her substantial comedic talents",[37] while The Washington Post's Emily Yahr highlighted how she "artfully delivers her many one-liners".

[38] In 2020, she created, executive produced, and starred in digital platform Quibi's series Nikki Fre$h, which chronicles the career of Richie's rapper alter ego of the same name.

It chronicles the life of a famous singer's adopted daughter named Chloe Parker, who makes her way through all the popular nightclubs and parties in Hollywood while battling a drug addiction.

[44] Richie has been featured in several fashion blogs and magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, Seventeen, Lucky, Marie Claire, Elle, InStyle, Paper, Company, Nylon, Tatler, Flare, and Teen Vogue.

[45] She has also modeled for Australia's Vogue and Elle; US' People, Stuff, Blender and Hollywood Reporter; Mexico's Marie Claire and UK's Glamour.

In April 2007, Richie announced plans to start a jewelry, accessories, and sunglasses line along with a perfume and style book.

[51] In February 2010, Richie expanded her fashion business with a women's line called Winter Kate, her daughter's two middle names.

[54] In July 2011, the brand unveiled a 14-piece handbag collection, which became available at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Shopbop.

[63] Richie made her musical debut in February 2005 with a live appearance on ABC's The View playing the piano.

[66] In September 2013, Richie made a cameo appearance in Christina Aguilera's music video for the song "Let There Be Love".

[75] Richie, Joel and Benji Madden along with UNICEF held a fundraiser for the Tap Project in March 2009.

[76] Esprit donated 10% of all the sales on April 2, 2009, at their newly opened 3rd Street Promenade store to The Richie-Madden Children's Foundation.

[100] In February 2003, she checked herself into a rehabilitation center following her arrest in Malibu, California for driving with a revoked license and possession of heroin.

Several motorists had reported a black Mercedes-Benz G-Class entering the freeway on the exit ramp and traveling in the opposite traffic direction.

[101] On July 27, 2007, Richie was sentenced to four days in jail at the Century Regional Detention Center in Lynwood, California.

[103] A spokeswoman for the sheriff's department told People magazine that Richie "was released early due to overcrowding in the jail system.

"[104] Richie enrolled in an 18-month anti-drinking driver education program the following month, according to papers filed with the Superior Court of California.