Nicole Richie, Joel Madden finally share baby news with the world

As previously reported by CBB, during the first of a 3-part interview airing this morning on Good Morning America, a positively beaming Nicole Richie proudly confirmed that she is expecting a baby with boyfriend Joel Madden.  Smiling the widest of smiles, Nicole answered simply ‘I am…We are‘ when asked by Diane Sawyer if she was pregnant. 

The couple said that although they have both ‘always wanted children‘ the notion that Nicole was, indeed, expecting took some getting used to — Nicole admitted to taking five pregnancy tests, and even then didn’t believe what she was seeing.

It really took me a long time for it to sink in.  Actually, I didn’t even really believe it until I heard the heartbeat. 

Once Nicole and Joel set out to tell friends and family about their happy news, one phone call was looming large — the one they needed to place to Nicole’s dad, singer Lionel Richie.  Joel delivered the bombshell, telling Lionel that he was going to be a grandfather, and was met by silence on the other end.  Then, says Nicole, her dad jokingly told her:

Now you’re going to get to experience everything that I have, and everything you’ve done to me, it’s definitely going to come back to you. 

As also recently reported by CBB, the couple — who are keeping a video diary of the pregnancy — have opted to not learn the sex of their baby, at least yet.  Laughed Nicole:

We’re going to try to hold out.  Try!

Click ‘continue reading’ for why Nicole feels she owes the baby her life, to hear about her first ‘parent’ moment, and to watch video of the interview.

Nicole recently pled guilty to DUI and received a mandatory sentence of four days in jail.  Saying that she’s not afraid of jail, per se, she did admit that she fears "the unknown."  Nonetheless, the guilty plea came at Joel’s urging, with the couple collectively deciding that it was time for Nicole to assume responsibility for her actions.

One night we were watching tv, a program on drunk drivers, and they started flashing pictures of little children who had been killed by people driving under the influence.  At that moment, I literally felt like the worst person in the world … for even trying to get out of [my] situation.  It was our first real ‘parent’ moment.  This is my way of paying my dues and taking responsibility and being an adult.

Added Joel:

She’s doing what she has to do.  She did something and now she has to answer for it and that’s what she’s doing.

The couple said that they’re not only motivated by a sense of duty to victims of drunk driving accidents, but also by a shared desire to show their child right from wrong.  Saying that there was "absolutely no way" she would drive under the influence again, and that she now views drugs as "the enemy," Nicole is anxious to open a new chapter in her life.

I never took it seriously before, as horrible as that sounds. I owe the baby my life.  I owe this baby everything, and I have a responsibility now, besides being responsible for myself, I’m responsible for someone else.  And I have to set the right examples, I have to really be someone that I would want my child to look up to.  I want my child to look up to me, and be proud of me.  I want to be the best parent I can be.

Source:  Good Morning America

Comments

Good for her!

- Megan on August 2nd, 2007

I know I keep saying it but she sounds honestly much more mature and realistic than I’ve ever heard her. Sounds like Joel is quite the stabilizing force in her life and a good one. The fact that he was the one to urge her to own up to what she did and quit monkeying around says alot about him IMO. She’s still got some growing to do but I’d say she seems well on her way. As long as they keep going this way I think they’ll make good parents. I have to commend her on her honesty about not taking life seriously, because it DOES sound horrible, especially with the opportunities she’s been afforded. It was big of her to not make excuses and own up to not only the sentiment, but how silly it was of her.

LOL at her father’s response! What’s worse is he’s probably right….while I hope their child won’t be nearly as crazy as she or Joel were, I do think they’ll have those moments where they’ll wonder how in the world their parents survived them. It’s the circle of life! lol

- Grayson's Girl on August 2nd, 2007

Nicole sounds so sincere and that she’s finally taking responsibility for herself, her life, and her unborn child. She is definitely different than her other counterparts.

From the start of the Simple Life, I’ve always liked Nicole. She’s smarter than the rest of the “starlet” crowd, and now she’s proving it.

I’m happy that she’s realised that she is an adult and needs to start acting like one for the sake of herself, Joel and her child.

- Devon on August 2nd, 2007

Good for her! I wish them the best. Sounds like she was just as surprised as everyone else to find out she was indeed pregnant. I have a feeling it will be a boy.

- Lissette on August 2nd, 2007

Sorry for the off-topic, but does anyone think it’s unfair that Nicole Richie got less of a sentence than Paris Hilton? I personally think Nicole’s crime was worse than Paris’. Paris should have gotten the four days, and Nicole the three weeks.

Anyway, congrats to Nicole and Joel. They’ve been together not long enough for my taste, and I don’t think they’re anywhere near ready for kids, but a baby is always a blessing no matter what.

Sarah’s note: From what I’ve read, the difference in sentencing has a lot to do with Nicole admitting her guilt while Paris did not.

- MuffThumb on August 2nd, 2007

Despite the crazy stuff she’s done, I like Nicole. I’ve felt that through her craziness, she still had more common sense than a couple of other young ladies in Hollywood. Yes, I mean Lohan and Hilton. Anyway, I think it’s great Nicole got a wake up call through that tv show she watched. She could have just as easily turned away from that show and made more excuses for her DUI, but she didn’t. Kudos to Joel for urging Nicole to face up to her mistakes. I didn’t see the interview on GMA, but from these written statements here, it seems clear that Nicole really wants to change and I believe she will.

And, though it sounds like Lionel was in shock from the news, that was a pretty snarky and borderline hateful thing to say to Nicole.

Looking forward to more news about Nicole and Joel. IMO, they’re the couple/pregnancy to watch the rest of this year.
Good luck to them!

- Carol on August 2nd, 2007

Good for her. She really sounds like she’s got Joel’s full support, and that realizing she was pregnant was a huge wake up call for her.

It’s also nice to see someone living in the public eye make the decision to learn from and live with their mistakes. It takes a lot of courage to do what she’s doing, both in cleaning up her life, and in accepting the responsibility of her DUI. It’s nice to see that her life seems to be heading in a more positive direction.

- Stephanie on August 2nd, 2007

I wish them only the best of luck. I hope this does change her for the better; I’ve seen it happen and know how possible it is. Sometimes it takes something like this to make you snap out of it and grow up.

Congratulations to them both.

- Kodie on August 2nd, 2007

wow – I don’t think I would have ever believed it, but Nicole does appear to have changed for the better. I didn’t think it was possible for some of today’s young hollywood types to actually mature in this way. Way to go Nicole… now only if her “friends” Paris, Lindsay etc. can learn from her example and try to better their own lives as well….

- syd on August 2nd, 2007

regarding muffthumb’s comments – I believe that, technically, they were charged with two completely different crimes.

Paris was charged with driving with a suspended license while on probation due to her DUI (which I think drove with the suspended license two or three times, according to reports out there) and Nicole plead guilty to DUI. May not seem fair, but I think the two sentences are for different crimes, not to mention that they had different judges AND Nicole plead guilty while Paris kept preaching her “innocence.” I think the guilty plea was smart on many levels, she accepted responsibility and I’m sure it helped lessen her sentence to the minimum mandatory sentence.

- syd on August 2nd, 2007

I admit that I never liked Nicole before, but she just seems to be turning around for the better! She seemed so happy when talking about the baby, and I’m very excited for her and Joel. She looks healthier too, and I hope that she and Joel will have the best of luck and have a happy, healthy baby.

- Ashley on August 2nd, 2007

There is something special about Nicole, I’ve always liked her. I’m so happy that she admitted to breaking the law. Unlike her BFF Paris, Nicole seemed very different, and I wish them good luck. She was absoultely glowing and was so sincere. I watched Paris on Larry King and it was a joke, she was very unsincere and I thought she was lying about drugs and everything else. Paris said she read the bible every day in jail but couldn’t pick a favorite verse. I mean “JESUS WEEP” for crying out loud.

Let’s hope Nicole experience can help other young adult.

A baby changes everything about you.

Good Luck

- Michelle Nicole on August 2nd, 2007

muffthumb,

Paris had pled no contest to her DUI and her sentence was suspending her license, attending an alcohol rehab program and was given a certain amount of time on probation. Paris violated her probation not once, but twice for driving on a suspended license. The first time she was let off, but had to sign a piece of paper acknowledging that she was in violation of her probation, and the second time she was sent to court.

In Nicole’s case, the only that she had done was DUI, to which she pled guilty.

Judges are much harder, and so are the penalities, on parole/probation violations. Paris received the maximum sentence, 45 days, for violating her probation. If Paris had pled guilty, or actually owned up to the fact that she screwed up, instead of pretending to be innocent and blaming everything on everyone else, I believe she would have gotten less of a sentence. Not to mention that she should have gotten to the court house ON TIME rather than be, what, like an hour late?

When someone admits that they are wrong and are willing to accept the consequences, the courts look much more favourably on them. This is why Nicole recevied the minimum sentence.

- Devon on August 2nd, 2007

“And, though it sounds like Lionel was in shock from the news, that was a pretty snarky and borderline hateful thing to say to Nicole.”

Agreed. I read an article of hers in the last month where she talked about being spoiled and having basically no consequences growing up. No wonder she acted out and went wild the way she did. I always enjoy her so I’m sure the baby adventures will be entertaining too!

- Leslie on August 2nd, 2007

I watched GMA this morning, and I must admit that Nicole and Joel looks absolutely happy and in love. Contrary to what people may say that he moved on too fast, and that Nicole was a “rebound” that got “knocked-up”, Joel seems to be so interested in her and their soon-to-be baby…I have always loved Nicole and since she is almost the same age as I am (I am 25), when I met my husband (who is 11 years my senior) 5 years ago, I was a wild child, and I instantly settled down, and people who knew me couldn’t believe how much I had changed..We got married and I know that I am a better person because of him..I truly believe that God put people in our life at the times we need them the most..so for all who thinks that she can’t change, believe me, I am a product of change..IT COULD HAPPEN.

- Scherriea on August 2nd, 2007

Popsugar has a couple of clips. She seems really sincere. She is taking responsibility for what she did and she seems really happy about the baby. Her face lit up when she said yes she was pregnant. I wish her good luck and a healthy baby.

- Liss on August 2nd, 2007

I guess wanting to be the best parent she can be lead to the Simple Life being cut. I’m really glad that show is gone because you can tell that she and Paris had to act out as much as they could while the cameras were rolling.

I must admit that I’m a little confused as to Lionel’s comment “and everything you’ve done to me, it’s definitely going to come back to you”… Did he mean that in a positive way, saying that now she would get to experience all the happiness she brought to him as a child, or in a negative way meaning that all the trouble and worry she’s caused him will come back to her???

Missy’s note: When Nicole relayed his reaction to the news, she had a smile on her face, almost like Lionel said it in a teasing way. I did not get the impression that — from her perspective, at least — it was intended as a negative. Hope that clarifies things a bit!

- Tracy on August 2nd, 2007

I liked Nicole Richie ever since the first Simple Life aired, but after all of the drug and weight problems she had, I really didn’t care for her anymore. I’m glad to see that she is finally becoming a mature woman and realizing that she needs to be the best mom she can be to her baby.

- Kaley on August 2nd, 2007

Sounds like Nicole has done a lot of growing up in the past few months. I’m really happy for her and glad that she chose to accept the consequences of her past actions. I’m sure she’ll be a great mom.

- Carrie Jo on August 2nd, 2007

I’m sure Lionel’s comment to Nicole when he got the baby news was him teasing her in an endearing, familial way. I doubt it was snarky or hateful. I haven’t watched the clip, so I don’t know her demeanor when reporting her dad’s reaction. It just seems like they have a good relationship–not a contentious one.

- Fynn on August 2nd, 2007

I have always liked Nicole and I wish her and Joel the best!

- angela on August 2nd, 2007

Good for them! They seem happy and that is all that matters. I hope it all works out!

- meme on August 2nd, 2007

I always knew that Nicole was a smart girl playing dumb, but I never really liked her before now. Yeah she’s been stupid and wild, but that isn’t exactly unusual for a young twenty-something. But having a baby DOES make you grow up a lot and it seems like she has. I think she and Joel seem really good together and like they have a lot of fun and care about each other very much. My husband and I are pretty much the same age as them (24 and 28) and we’re expecting our “surprise” baby 2 months after our wedding and can’t be happier. Good for them!

- D.B. on August 2nd, 2007

She looks much healthier than she did a few weeks ago, that’s for sure!

Whether or not they were ready for the baby as a couple, I think Joel has been a good influence on her. It sounds like he’s the sensible one getting her to take responsibility for her actions.

- Lilybett on August 2nd, 2007

I think Lionel’s comment was meant in a loving. teasing way. My dad told me something similar when I was pregnant with my first child. He said, “I hope she turns out just like you! Then you’ll know what we went through!” I knew what he meant when he said it, and I took it as the lighthearted tease it was supposed to be. I tell my girls all the time, “I hope you grow up and have children that turn out just like you!”

- Boo(duh) on August 2nd, 2007

Just out of curiosity – at what age did Lionel adopt Nicole? Wasn’t it 8 or after?

- Bridget on August 2nd, 2007

Bridget.
she was adopted at 2 years old.
Just before he and his wife were about to divorce, the did it legally for custody issues. she is their only child.
actually found out about their divorce from school and the tabloids when she was 10.

- dilr on August 2nd, 2007

Lionel’s comment was a joke, I’ve heard plenty of parents telling their kids oh now that your a parent you will know what I went through. It’s just a figure of speech. Anyway I’ve always loved Nicole, and Joel and her seem very happy. Can’t wait to see her baby and hear the name, I think it will be a boy.

- gabriella on August 2nd, 2007

Ok, thanks for clearing that up! I wasn’t able to watch the clip so I wasn’t sure how it was said! I didn’t think he would be mean, but I wasn’t sure how his reaction was going to be since he was kept in the dark for so long…

Also, when Joel told him he was going to be a grandpa he was quiet. I guess he just had to let it all sink in!

- Tracy on August 3rd, 2007

Nicole’s had her share of blunders, but you know, I can’t help but root for her. I so want her to be able to be successful in her life with her baby and man.

- Leila on August 3rd, 2007