Nicole Richie: 'I Feel Extremely Blessed'

Courtesy Marie Claire UK

Her life has changed dramatically in just a matter of years, but mom-of-two Nicole Richie says she’s content to leave the past in the past.

“I’ve just accepted responsibility for what I’ve done, and I don’t really try and look at why I did it,” she tells the March issue of Marie Claire UK. “I just feel that I have gotten past it and moved on … And I feel extremely blessed to live the life that I’m living.”

Doubly blessed, of course, with daughter Harlow Winter Kate, 2, and son Sparrow James Midnight, 4 ½ months. Describing her family with partner Joel Madden as “really great,” the fashion and jewelry designer says she is particularly delighted by her latest addition and what it means for her firstborn. Nicole explains,

“I’m 13 years older than my brother and I have a younger sister who is 12, so I think it’s really great they’re going to have each other.”

Sparrow’s name was chosen because the couple wanted to give their son “a name to stand up for,” Nicole says, and she attributes much of her postpartum slim down to baby boy himself. “I’m nursing and he’s a big boy,” she points out.

Of the transformation from Hollywood wild child to mom, Nicole, 28, reveals only that her life “has changed in a much more natural way” than most people think. She later adds,

“You know … I’m just one to live in the present and enjoy the time that I’m having. Going back into my past is just not something that I do. Right now, I’m living my dreams.”

Source: Marie Claire UK

Comments

I so admire the transformation she has done.

- Emily on January 29th, 2010

I’m happy for her. I wish them well.

- {JeLisa} @ Blogging Ever After on January 29th, 2010

Good for her. She grew up.

- Chris on January 29th, 2010

She looks very pretty on the magazine cover!

Glad she has transformed her life for the better. I think Joel is the best influence she could have!

- Hurley on January 29th, 2010

I really like Nicole and admire the way she turned her life around. It’s always nice to see someone mature and grow-up and find the things in life that are worth living for. And in Joel and their little bubbas, it seems Nicole has found true contentment.

- Amanda on January 29th, 2010

Harlow has been an incredible influence on Nicole. Motherhood changed her not Joel. Joel wasn’t a model citizen trust!

- Dani on January 29th, 2010

Glad to see Nicole as a responsible parent. Sparrow and Harlow are lucky kids!

Regarding Sparrow’s name, though, not sure I’m buying that they planned the name to give him something to stand up for! I have a feeling it was the later naysayers (perhaps including Grandpa Lionel) who may have introduced the idea that the name would cause some playground bullying specifically because it does not connote masculine associations.

Not saying that I don’t like the name, that it even matter what I think, or that kids should be given “gender specific” names, but just seems unlikely that this was actually a motivating factor that led them to name him what they did. My guess is that they simply liked how it sounded and how it went with Harlow. (Which would have been a fine answer!)

- Xan on January 29th, 2010

Wow…considering she was driving the wrong way on a highway under the influence just a year before she became a mom, she has done quite a transformation. I sincerely hope she’s able to stay ahead of her addiction(s).

- christina on January 29th, 2010

It is great how she has transformed her life, but I don’t like the title of the article – the reinvention of nicole ritchie. It makes her changes sound contrived and media oriented rather than sincere. Also, she really should think back on why she did some things. It’s best not to dwell, she’s right about that, but it’s also important to learn about yourself.

- ecl on January 29th, 2010

Every time I see Harlow’s name I feel like it should be “Harlow Kate Winter Madden”. Just seems to flow better, that’s all.

- crg on January 29th, 2010

I really love the name Sparrow. It just seems to fit him, from the photos we’ve seen.

- mp on January 29th, 2010

I think Nicole is a great mom and looking very healthy and happy now. However, she was DEFINITELY scarily thin for awhile before she was with Joel. Maybe it wasn’t an eating disorder, but something was wrong for sure.

- urbanadventurertales on January 30th, 2010

urbanadventures- If I’m remembering correctly, Nicole once said that her weight loss back then was due to stress.

- CelebBabyLover on January 30th, 2010

I’ve really grown to admire Nicole, she has grown up. Everyoene else can go thru life and make mistakes without being constantly critized. She did it in the public eye, and look at her now – she glows!!! I wish her and her family nothing but the best! You shine Nicole – just shine!

- allie on January 30th, 2010

I love reading about this family. Parenthood really becomes them, and I love Nicole’s practical stance on the past – finally, a celebrity who has gotten over herself. And, I love the combination of creative and traditional names they chose for their children.

- Selena on January 30th, 2010

I would say that giving Sparrow a name to “stand up for” – I don’t really get what she means by that other than he might have to defend himself on the playground at times from the other boys! Lol. I personally would have liked James Sparrow Midnight Madden…than again, that’s not really a fun name, so I think in the long run, Sparrow fits. BUT with that being said…I love Nicole Richie, admire how she has grown up, and think she has made a beautiful family for herself and seems like a great mom. She’s come a long way! I’m excited to read the article and see the other pics in the magazine.

- Jennifer on January 30th, 2010

She looks ah-mazing. So happy for her and her successes, esp the kiddos.

- Posie on January 30th, 2010

Nicole and Joel are awesome parents.. she has changed soo much and Joel has become an awesome dad as well..they both cleaned up their act and adapted to parenthood soo well…

- Elizabeth on January 31st, 2010

She has certainly become a new person is seems since motherhood.
Her husband said in an interview, that the name Sparrow reminds him of the Johnny Cash son, a boy named Sue.If you have not heard it before, the song is about a boy who is so mad at his parents for naming him Sue, and is teased all the time. Eventually he meets his father later in life, who was estranged. He confronts his father about his name, and his father told him that he knew he wasn’t going to be in his life too much, so he wanted to give him a name that he had to stand up for, and learn to fight for himself. Therefore making him tough.
Kind of silly that Joel compared this song his name choice, but I guess that is why Nicole says she gave him a name to stand up for

- Belle on January 31st, 2010

Actually in the early days of Good Charlotte Joel use to work for my sister. She was his manager and she would give him days off and work around his schedule so he could start up his band. She said Benji was a wild one but Joel was deep down a good guy. Ironically the first few years they made a break in the business everytime he came to town he would leave tickets for my sister. We saw them a couple of times and he was very nice guy. When my sister moved on and got married they lost touch.

- Kate on February 1st, 2010