Nicole Richie: Focused on Family

Ramey

Nicole Richie was repeatedly pressed during a Thursday visit to Larry King Live on the issue of marriage. The 27-year-old actress and jewelry designer — who currently expects her second child with partner Joel Madden in late summer — held her ground, however, telling host Larry King that the couple will tie the knot “when the time is right.”

“I think, you know, for both of us, we are going to do it because we want to, not because that’s what you do.”

Joel grew up in a “very Christian” household, Nicole explains, adding that “even his idea … when he was little was ‘I’m going to get married and I’m going to have kids’ and very programmed that that’s the order that everything happens in.” Nicole says she also “of course” has dreams of getting married — “one day.”

“Right now, we are really, really focused on our family. We are focused on our foundation. As far as feeling that need of commitment, we both really have that in each other.”

If they ever need a reminder, they need look no further than Harlow Winter Kate! The couple’s 16-month-old daughter appeared alongside Nicole, waved ‘hi’ and ‘bye’ to Larry, and stole the show with pigtails made by mom. Lionel Richie is clearly smitten with his granddaughter, and Nicole says the feeling is mutual! “He’s very animated,” she notes, adding,

“He smiles like this all the time. And so he’s nothing but fun for Harlow. She absolutely loves him.”

Click below to read about who spoils Harlow the most.

There are other perks for Harlow, however, from the sound of things. Nicole went on to reveal that Lionel and his ex-wife — Nicole’s mom – Brenda Harvey lavish their granddaughter with gifts, much to Nicole’s playful chagrin. “That’s been the most difficult challenge with both my parents,” she quips.

“She is the best grandmother in the world. [But] it frustrates me, because I’ll say, ‘She needs a pair of shoes,’ and my mom will come back with 20 pairs of shoes…Spoils is an understatement.”

Baby-on-the-way — a delivery surprise, according to Nicole – will certainly benefit from their generosity as well, and Nicole admitted that her life is at an all-time high. “[I feel] so happy and so blessed,” she adds.

Source: Larry King Live

Comments

She has nothing but my utmost respect and admiration for the way she’s managed to turn her life around. Definitely reminds me of Angelina Jolie in that respect.

I’m not sure whether it was necessary to have Harlow present during the interview but she surely is a happy little cutie.

- Amanda on May 29th, 2009

Harlow is so cute!!!! I get so happy when I see pictures of Harlow and Nicole!! Grandparents tend to spoil the grandkids….my mom just buys and buys thing for my daughter and I can’t stop her! lol

I love seeing interviews with Lionel and Nicole, they seem to adore each other. Lionel looks at Nicole with so much love and respect…I love it!

- XOXO on May 29th, 2009

shes a cutie.

- alexia kaelyn on May 29th, 2009

Harlow was only present for the last part of the interview but she is even more adorable than in pictures seeing her on TV. It was so cute when she looked at Lionel and said ”papa!”. They are such a nice little family.

I think Harlow is looking more and more like Nicole everyday. They showed baby photos of Nicole on the show and she looks a lot like Harlow but just with a darker skin tone.

- J on May 29th, 2009

Nicole has come a long way and she should be proud of herself. She turned her life around so good on her! On top of that, her family is adorable!

- Lauren on May 29th, 2009

If Joel is convinced that the right way to live is to get married first and then have children, I wonder why him and Nicole didn’t choose to get married in between having the two children? Or else, why don’t they get married now? They are a successful couple and could certainly afford a wedding.
It just makes me nervous that Nicole says she has dreams of getting married but there doesn’t seem to be any move by the couple in that direction. I have a good friend who had two children and dreamed of marrying the father but it never happened, he ultimately chose not to marry her.
These two seem like a sweet couple and very devoted to their child, however.

- Ashandra on May 29th, 2009

I have more respect for someone who doesn’t get married after getting pregnant than for those people that elope after getting pregnant just because they got pregnant.

That said, I don’t understand all the praise for Nicole Richie. She got pregnant and yes she stopped doing drugs. Is that really so special? Millions of people in the world don’t do drugs. She’s being made out to be a saint or something.

- Anna on May 29th, 2009

Amen, Anna, Not that long ago she was “wrong way Richie”, driving the wrong way on the freeway, on drugs and maybe alcohol, and somehow everyone forgot all about that when she pops out one baby and makes some jewelry. And oh yeah, she deserves some kind of award because she shared with the media that she breast feeds and makes her own baby food. Millions of women do that everywhere. I have noticed that when celebrity women with somewhat flat careers have babies, and suddenly they are the focus of the media, with tons of photos all over and all the press they could want. Not to say she does not enjoy motherhood, or that she is not a good mother. But come on, would anyone be buying a $200 necklace from someone who just partied, used substances and didn’t have much of a career?

- e on May 29th, 2009

Harlow is so cute! She looks just like her mom.

- Millie on May 29th, 2009

As far as what E said about people buying items from people who do drugs and such- people buy Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan crap all day. I think the reason why people are giving Nicole so much admiration is because yes she turned her life around but also because before she seemed to be a follower and in the shadow of Paris now she is her own person doing her own thing no one nowadays says Paris and Nicole its just Nicole or Nicole and Harlow.

- Cortney on May 30th, 2009

WOW! I’m a little leery of making this statement now but..I respect the changes Nicole has made even if the only reason was for that beautiful baby Harlow,and Yes! There are lots of people who don’t do drugs but even MORE who do and I too,stopped partying and using drugs when I found out I was pregnant and now I have 2 awesome little boys that make EVERY single moment in life worth living and it’s nice to see someone(celebrity or not)whose been through the same thing and made a positive change in their life! God Bless!

- melissa on May 30th, 2009

e–i dont think people have forgotten about the drug-infused part of her life, I think that people are impressed because she managed to turn herself around pretty quickly. she went from that crazy, drugged out teen to a normal, albeit famous, mother who seems to be doing a great job raising her daughter.

- Melissa on May 30th, 2009

Anna and e – Did anyone say we should throw Nicole a party? Did anyone say she wasn’t a total screw up at one time? Geez! I didn’t praise her because she had a kid and made some jewelry, either. I think looking in the mirror and realizing you’re behaving like a fool and hurting yourself and others and then changing your behavior is commendable. But apparently congratulating someone qualifies as elevating them to sainthood. Thanks for the tip, ladies.

- Lauren on May 30th, 2009

Ashandra- The vibe I’m getting is that they just want to get married when the time is right for them, and right now the time isn’t right.

Anna- Yes, a lot of people don’t do drugs. However, for someone who DOES do drugs, ceasing to use them is usually anything but an easy process. In fact, a lot of people try to stop using drugs but fail because it’s so hard to give them up.

For Nicole to do a 180 like she did is nothing short of amazing, and I’m proud of her!

Anyway, does anyone have a link to a videoclip of Harlow’s appearence on the show?

—–

The source link is a video link to part of Harlow’s appearance.

– CBB Staff

- CelebBabyLover on May 30th, 2009

I think the praise is not for Nicole because she is a hollywood mother, but because she used to be a near-death disaster, but all that changed when she started dating Joel. And then motherhood gave a visual representation of her transformation. I would be proud and respectful of anyone who took positive steps to turn their life around and be a better person…celebrity or not.

- michelle on May 30th, 2009

Aslong as their happy, but I do find it strange that if Joel was raised to believe “first comes marriage, then kids” then why haven’t they gotten married? I still believe if you are committed enough to have children together, you should be committed enough to be married..and shouldn’t have some “phobia” over it. Having kids is the most committed thing you could do with someone, why not go the extra step and get married if that is something you want to do…not wait it out, and just never do it? And yes-I think Harlow is looking more/more like Nicole. I definitely see it in the eyes, and mouth, the rest is all Joel.

- Mia on May 30th, 2009

I think a lot of the reason why people like Nicole so much is not simply because she stopped doing drugs, but since having Harlow she has started doing so many good things with her charity and how she really speaks out about some very important (and in some cases, little-known) topics and is obviously very committed to using her fame in a positive way. It’s true though that there are people in the world who do just as much as she does, and sometimes more, and it’s a shame that all those people don’t get the recognition or praise that Nicole does.

And now I’m going to get off my soapbox and say that Harlow is so so adorable… Can’t wait to find out what they have next! No doubt this baby will be just as beautiful and happy as his or her sister.

- alice jane on May 30th, 2009

cute pic!

- sat on May 30th, 2009

I will say that Nicole may have had everything she could ever possibly want but at the end of the day, she wasn’t happy emotionally with herself (stems from being adopted I suppose) and so she ‘went the wrong way’. It was a lot worse for her because she was in the public eye and everyone knew what she was up to, like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. Now, look at her. She has worked so hard for her jewellery/clothing line as I’ve seen on her Twitter page and she is clearly a devoted mother to Harlow and is in a very stable relationship with Joel, who I just absolutely adore as he is brilliant for Nicole. She is a human being and we all make mistakes! I think every person, no matter if they’re a celebrity or an ordinary person, should be congratulated on changing themselves. I would say she is now a positive role model. I cannot, cannot wait to see the cuteee new baby!!

- babyboopie on May 30th, 2009

i don’t see why people make a fuss about whether they will marry or not they clearly will in the future at some point and i don’t see why it is anyone else’s business to comment there!
it no doubt is a private matter for them

- Sharon on May 30th, 2009

i dono i just find it funny when ppl say that they grew up being very christian and then go on and have sex before marriage whats christian about that?anyways iam not here to judge, I wish nicole joel and baby harlow plus the baby on the way all the best.:D

- Blackrose on May 30th, 2009

I think the reason people are so impressed with Nicole is because she came out of the “Hollywood” downward spiral and I don’t think she’s ever really preached about it or come off as self righteous. She’s also an example of how it’s up to an individual, what they make of the influences around them. I remember reading the blogs back when she was dubbed a “Skeletwin” with Lindsay Lohan. 3 years later Lindsay isn’t doing much better but look at Nicole! And she did it without the moaning about how “tough” it is being famous etc. etc. You don’t have to find her an inspiration yourself, but she’s certainly an inspiration to others.

Oh and back to the point, she’s obviously a great mother- Harlow is adorable and so happy! I think any mother should get an award for that.

- Jo on May 30th, 2009

It’s nothing to do with who does and doesn’t do drugs really is it. She did and now she doesn’t and she stopped because she had a baby so yes good for her. And she has turned her life around from what it was before, even if that previous life was not the norm she still did it and so I think she does deserve praise for that in some ways. Everyone would be very quick to criticise if she hadn’t. Being a celebrity is not the norm, her life is never going to be the norm, never has been really, but you are on a celebrity baby website so if the norm is what you are looking for then this isn’t really the place to be.

- Emily on May 30th, 2009

She said in this same interview when asked if they know what their having she wanted the, surprise and she can buy the clothes later. Someone stated on CBB she has been very vocal to friends and family that it’s a boy….maybe she’s throwing people off. Either way should be interesting to find out soon!!

- JMO on May 30th, 2009

so cute

- kelsey on May 30th, 2009

Sharon says:
i don’t see why people make a fuss about whether they will marry or not they clearly will in the future at some point and i don’t see why it is anyone else’s business to comment there!
it no doubt is a private matter for them

If marriage is a private matter for Nicole and Joel, why doesn’t she say “no comment” or “I would prefer not to discuss that” in interviews? That is perfectly acceptable. By answering questions and saying that she dreams about getting married in interviews opens it up to the public’s criticism. Especially if she is having another baby and says she wants to be married. When people say they are not ready to get married after the birth of two children, but wish to be married one day,I truly do not understand. When will they ever be ready, then?

- Ashandra on May 30th, 2009

Maybe she doesn’t want to get married while pregnant or with 1-2 toddlers!! She’s busy right now, yes she can afford a wedding but maybe she’d like to wait till a moment when she’ll have her body to herself, won’t be too sleep deprived etc. I don’t believe they planned Harlow so it’s not like they purposefully had children without getting married before (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Things just happened this way and when they feel its the right time if ever, they’ll get married.

- Alice on May 30th, 2009

Yes, but they are having another child. I would guess that if a person had a child without planning it, they would become more vigilant about their birth control in the future, especially if they want to marry but not when their child is an infant. I guess it’s silly of me to assume that.

- Ashandra on May 30th, 2009

I watched the interview and it was cute. For those who give them grief bc they’re not married (especially since apparently Joel was raised very christian), u shouldn’t criticise. I mean we don’t know why they don’t. I remember the first time she was preggers, they were rushing to get married (actually they almost did in vegas once) but now they’re taking their time.

There might be a few good reason for not getting married like I don’t know them being scared??? Both don’t really have great models for successful mariages. They both come from broken homes so…

Anyway, hope that she stays healthy and doesn’t relapse-she changed her life so fast, that thay continue to be good parents and that they last(touch wood). God Bless

- lilian on May 30th, 2009

Ashandra, I’m only speaking for myself now but if I had a little child like Harlow I wouldn’t want to get married before she was… say 4 or 5… able to behave and enjoy the ceremony. and I don’t think I would wait 5 years to have another baby just because I want to get married first.
I think maybe once they started their family they decided they wanted to add more and that was more of a priority to them than getting married. Not saying this is how it happened but it could’ve been.

- Alice on May 30th, 2009

the whole “transformed by motherhood” thing troubles me a bit. the constant demands of small children are all-consuming and, just like drugs and alcohol, can be used to distract from a deeper unhappiness (eg. that octo-mom lady and prob angelina) ….

happy to be wrong.

- zara on May 30th, 2009

Zara- Um, Angelina CHANGED her life around, just like Nicole, and is obviously very happy (that’s obvious when you watch her interviews)! What makes you think that Angie is unhappy?

JMO- Since Harlow was also a delivery surprise, I’m inclined to believe Nicole.

- CelebBabyLover on May 31st, 2009

Zara, that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve read on this site and that’s saying something. Not only are you attempting to paint Octamom and Angelina Jolie with the same brush you are implying that both Angelina and Nicole are unhappy and are trying to compensate that imagined unhappiness by having children, having a family, and living a life completely different than the destructive ones they lead in their youth. Where in the world do you get the idea that either one is unhappy? Both have spoken time and time again that they are happier than they have ever been. That they have a found a purpose for their lives and that their behavior in youth is not something they are proud of but have learned from. I don’t believe you will be happy to be wrong but instead you’re happy to be mean. Why is it that some people, especially women, refuse to believe that people can change for the better? That people grow and mature and choose a path that is not only healthy for them as individuals but for their families too. And before anyone jumps on my back saying Zara is only expressing her opinion I say I’m just expressing mine. I choose to live in the present while in my opinion Zara lives in the past.

- Tara on May 31st, 2009

Tara,

ITAWY about Ms. Richie and Ms.Jolie. So tried of the its my opinion so you can’t criticize me argument. Hello yes I can w/ my opinions and facts.

Nicole has done a good job of turning her life around but the public is to blame for turning people into celebrities who have not excelled at anything.

- Rachelsun on May 31st, 2009

I like interesting theories…whats wrong with Zara’s? Its quite common for people who have lost a mother (ie adpotion…divorce…death) to “over-parent” in a sense, to throw themselves into parenting the way others might religion or drugs. There is a fair bit of psych literature on it if you want to look. They are giving their child the nurturing they may/may not have received. Zara’s not saying she is not a good person or even that she’s not a good mother…she’s saying she might be too good a mother if thats possible. I think its called the madonna-complex….someone who seeks to submerge their own issues through care of others. Its not even a real criticism…

- fuschia on June 1st, 2009

I fully agree with Ashandra.

I love Nicole, and I LOVE Harlow. I just found Nicole’s interview to be a bit contradictory… They both want marriage, and they were both raised that way, so what’s the hold-up? I understand that surprises can happen (i.e. Harlow), however if they were fully committed to eachother and their family, you would think that they would make it a priority to make the ultimate commitment of marriage??? I expexted a wedding after Harlow was born…

Something seems off.

- Lis on June 1st, 2009

The only thing that seems off to me is the way that people are scrutinizing THEIR descision to not yet marry…

I agree with Alice, in the sense that once harlow came along, marriage became secondary to their family.
Obviously, if marriage was so paramount to them, they wouldn’t have had harlow before being married.

I do believe that marriage is important to them, just not as imporatant as them being a family first.

It’s their perogative.

- Nika on June 1st, 2009

harlow is cute and i can’t wait to see what they have next

- cas on June 1st, 2009

Nika- I couldn’t agree more! Nicole even said right in the interview that they want to get married when the time is right for THEM!

- CelebBabyLover on June 2nd, 2009