Dandelion
A dandelion flower head composed of hundreds of smaller florets (top) and seed head (bottom)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Cichorieae
Genus:	Taraxacum Cass.
Species
See text

Taraxacum ( /təˈræksəkʉm/) is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. They are native to Eurasia and North America, and two species, T. officinale and T. erythrospermum, are found as weeds worldwide.^[1] Both species are edible in their entirety.^[2] The common name dandelion (/ˈdændɨlaɪ.ən/ DAN-di-ly-ən, from French dent-de-lion, meaning lion's tooth) is given to members of the genus, and like other members of the Asteraceae family, they have very small flowers collected together into a composite flower head. Each single flower in a head is called a floret. Many Taraxacum species produce seeds asexually by apomixis, where the seeds are produced without pollination, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent plant.^[3]

Description[link]

The species of Taraxacum are tap-rooted biennial or perennial herbaceous plants, native to temperate areas of the Old and New worlds.^{[clarification needed]}

The leaves are 5–25 cm long or longer, simple and basal, entire or lobed, forming a rosette above the central taproot. The flower heads are yellow to orange coloured, and are open in the daytime but closed at night. The heads are borne singly on a hollow stem (scape) that rises 1–10 cm or more^[4] above the leaves and exudes a milky sap (latex) when broken. A rosette may produce several flowering stems at a time. The flower heads are 2–5 cm in diameter and consist entirely of ray florets. The flower heads mature into spherical "clocks"^[5] containing many single-seeded fruits called achenes. Each achene is attached to a pappus of fine hairs, which enable wind-aided dispersal over long distances.

The flower head is surrounded by bracts (sometimes mistakenly called sepals) in two series. The inner bracts are erect until the seeds mature, then flex downward to allow the seeds to disperse; the outer bracts are always reflexed downward. Some species drop the "parachute" from the achenes; the hair-like parachutes are called pappus, and they are modified sepals. Between the pappus and the achene, there is a stalk called a beak, which elongates as the fruit matures. The beak breaks off from the achene quite easily, separating the seed from the parachute.

Seed dispersal[link]

Seeds being dispersed from a Taraxacum seedhead by air currents

A number of species of Taraxacum are seed dispersed ruderals that rapidly colonize disturbed soil, especially the common dandelion (T. officinale), which has been introduced over much of the temperate world. After flowering is finished, the dandelion flower head dries out for a day or two. The dried petals and stamens drop off, the bracts reflex (curve backwards), and the parachute ball opens into a full sphere. Finally, the seed-bearing parachutes expand and lift out of it. The parachute drops off the achene when it strikes an obstacle^{[citation needed]}. After the seed is released, the parachutes lose their feathered structure and take on a fuzzy, cotton-like appearance, often called "dandelion snow"^{[citation needed]}.

False dandelions[link]

Dandelions are so similar to catsears (Hypochaeris) that catsears are also known as "false dandelions". Both plants carry similar flowers, which form into windborne seeds. However, dandelion flowers are borne singly on unbranched, hairless and leafless, hollow stems, while catsear flowering stems are branched, solid and carry bracts. Both plants have a basal rosette of leaves and a central taproot. However, the leaves of dandelions are smooth or glabrous, whereas those of catsears are coarsely hairy.

Other plants with superficially similar flowers include hawkweeds (Hieracium) and hawksbeards (Crepis). These are readily distinguished by branched flowering stems, which are usually hairy and bear leaves.

Classification[link]

The genus is taxonomically complex, with some botanists dividing the group into about 34 macrospecies, and about 2000 microspecies;^[6] approximately 235 apomictic and polyploid microspecies have been recorded in Great Britain and Ireland.^[7] Some botanists take a much narrower view and only accept a total of about 60 species.^[6]

Selected species[link]

• Taraxacum albidum, a white-flowering Japanese dandelion.
• Taraxacum californicum, the endangered California dandelion
• Taraxacum japonicum, Japanese dandelion. No ring of smallish, downward-turned leaves under the flowerhead.
• Taraxacum kok-saghyz, Russian dandelion, which produces rubber^[8]
• Taraxacum laevigatum, Red-seeded dandelion; achenes reddish brown and leaves deeply cut throughout length. Inner bracts' tips are hooded.
  • Taraxacum erythrospermum, often considered a variety of Taraxacum laevigatum.^[9]
• Taraxacum officinale (syn. T. officinale subsp. vulgare), common dandelion. Found in many forms.

Cultivars[link]

• 'Amélioré à Coeur Plein' - Yields an abundant crop without taking up much ground, and tends to blanch itself naturally, due to its clumping growth habit.
• 'Broad Leaved' - The leaves are thick and tender and easily blanched. In rich soils they can be up to 60 cm wide. Plants do not go to seed as quickly as French types.
• 'Vert de Montmagny'- Long dark green leaves, some find them mild enough to be palatable without blanching. Vigorous and productive.^{[10][dead link]}

History[link]

This section requires expansion.

Dandelions are thought to have evolved about thirty million years ago in Eurasia.^[11] They have been used by humans for food and as a herb for much of recorded history.^[12] They were introduced to North America by early European immigrants.

Origin of the names[link]

The Latin name taraxacum originates in medieval Arabic writings on pharmacy. Al-Razi around 900 (A.D.) wrote "the tarashaquq is like chicory". Ibn Sīnā around 1000 (A.D.) wrote a book chapter on taraxacum. Gerard of Cremona, in translating Arabic to Latin around 1170, spelled it tarasacon.^[13]

The English name dandelion is a corruption of the French dent de lion^[14] meaning "lion's tooth", referring to the coarsely toothed leaves. The names of the plant have the same meaning in several other European languages, such as the Welsh dant y llew, Italian dente di leone, Catalan dent de lleó, Spanish diente de león, Portuguese dente-de-leão, Norwegian Løvetann, Danish Løvetand and German Löwenzahn.

In modern French, the plant is named pissenlit (or vernacular pisse au lit).^{[citation needed]} Likewise, "piss-a-bed" is an English folk-name for this plant,^[15] as are piscialletto in Italian, pixallits in Catalan and meacamas in Spanish.^{[citation needed]} These names refer to the strong diuretic effect of the plant's roots,^[15] either roasted or raw. In various north-eastern Italian dialects, the plant is known as pisacan ("dog pisses"), because they are found at the side of pavements.^[16]

In France, it is also known as laitue de chien (dog's lettuce), salade de taupe (mole's salad), florin d'or (golden florin); cochet (cockerel); fausse chicorée (false chicory); couronne de moine (monk's crown); baraban.^{[citation needed]}

In several European languages the plant, or at least its parachute ball stage, is named after the popular children's pastime of blowing the parachutes off the stalk: Pusteblume German for "blowing flower"), soffione (Italian for "blowing", in some northern Italian dialects),^[16] dmuchawiec (Polish, derived from the verb "blow"), одуванчик (Russian, derived from the verb "blow").^{[citation needed]}

In other languages, the plant is named after the white sap found in its stem, e.g. mlecz (derived from the Polish word for "milk"), mælkebøtte (Danish for "milk pot"), kutyatej (Hungarian for "dog milk"), маслачак (Serbian, from маслац meaning "butter").^{[citation needed]} The Lithuanian name kiaulpienė can be translated as "sow milk"^{[citation needed]}. Similarly, in Latvian it is called pienene, derived from piens ('milk'), as in Catalan is used lletsó (derived from the word llet that means "milk").^{[citation needed]}

The alternative Hungarian name gyermekláncfű ("child's chain grass") refers to the habit of children to pick dandelions, remove the flowers, and make links out of the stems by "plugging" the narrow top end of the stem into the wider bottom end.^{[citation needed]}

In Bulgarian and Macedonian its name (respectively глухарче and глуварче) is derived from the word for 'deaf' (глух, глув), because of a traditional belief that dandelion parachutes can cause deafness.

In Turkish, the dandelion is called karahindiba meaning "black endive or chicory".^[17] While the root flesh is white, the outer skin of the root is dark brown or black.

In Swedish, it is called maskros ('worm rose') after the small insects (thrips) usually present in the flowers.^[18]

In Finnish and Estonian, it is called voikukka and võilill, respectively, meaning "butter flower", referring to its buttery colour.^{[citation needed]} Similarly, in Croatian, the name of this plant (maslačak) is derived from the noun maslac, meaning butter.^[19]

In Dutch it is called paardenbloem, meaning "horse-flower".

In Chinese it is called pú gōng yīng (蒲公英), meaning "flower that grows in public spaces by the riverside".^{[citation needed]}

In Persian it is called qasedak (قاصدک), meaning the "small postman", because of a belief that it brings good news.

In Portuguese it is called dente-de-leão, also meaning "lion's tooth". Portuguese children also call them "o teu pai é careca" (your dad is bald) due to a game which consisted on blowing on a dandelion. If it was left with no seeds, that would mean the other kid's dad was bald.

In Greek its seed (and most often the plant itself) is called a kleftis (κλέφτης) meaning "thief" because it is very difficult to catch once airborne.

Properties[link]

An 85 centimetres (33 in)-tall dandelion

As a beneficial weed[link]

The dandelion plant is a beneficial weed, with a wide range of uses, and is even a good companion plant for gardening. Its taproot will bring up nutrients for shallower-rooting plants, and add minerals and nitrogen to soil. It is also known to attract pollinating insects and release ethylene gas which helps fruit to ripen.^[20]

Culinary use[link]

Dandelions are found on all continents and have been gathered since prehistory, but the varieties cultivated for consumption are mainly native to Eurasia. A perennial plant, its leaves will grow back if the taproot is left intact. To make leaves more palatable, they are often blanched to remove bitterness.^[12] Dandelion leaves and buds have been a part of traditional Sephardic, Chinese and Korean cuisine. In Crete, Greece, the leaves of a variety called Mari (Μαρί), Mariaki (Μαριάκι) or Koproradiko (Κοπροράδικο) are eaten by locals, either raw or boiled, in salads. Another species endemic to Crete, is eaten in the same way; it is found only at high altitudes (1000 to 1600 m.) and in fallow sites, and is called pentaramia (πενταράμια) or agrioradiko (αγριοράδικο) and which has been named Taraxacum megalorhizon by Prof. Michalis Damanakis of the Botanics Department of the University of Crete.^[21]

The flower petals, along with other ingredients, are used to make dandelion wine. The ground, roasted roots can be used as a caffeine-free dandelion coffee.^[22] Dandelion was also traditionally used to make the traditional British soft drink dandelion and burdock, and is one of the ingredients of root beer.

Dandelion leaves contain abundant vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C and K, and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron and manganese.^[23]

Dangers[link]

Dandelion pollen may cause allergic reactions when eaten, or adverse skin reactions in sensitive individuals. Due to its high potassium level, dandelion can also increase the risk of hyperkalemia when taken with potassium-sparing diuretics.^[24]

Herbalism[link]

Historically, dandelion was prized for a variety of medicinal properties, and it contains a wide number of pharmacologically active compounds.^[25] Dandelion is used as a folk remedy in Europe, North America and China.^[25] It has been used to treat infections, bile and liver problems,^[25] and as a diuretic.^[25] Other people use it for its supposed anti-inflammatory effects and urinary tract infections in women.^{[citation needed]}

Insects[link]

Dandelions are important plants for northern hemisphere bees, providing an important source of nectar and pollen early in the season.^[26] Dandelions are used as food plants by the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). See List of Lepidoptera that feed on dandelions. They are also used as a source of nectar by the pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne), one of the earliest emerging butterflies in the spring.

Some ants taking nectar from a dandelion.

Culture[link]

Four dandelion flowers are the emblem of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.^[27] The citizens celebrate spring with an annual Dandelion Festival.

The dandelion is the official flower of the University of Rochester and "Dandelion Yellow" is one of the school's official colors. The Dandelion Yellow is an official University of Rochester song.^[28]

• 

  Taraxacum denudatum H. Koidz.

• 

  Taraxacum obovatum

• 

  Taraxacum officinale

• 

  Taraxacum albidum

• 

  Pollen of unidentified Taraxacum species

See also[link]

• Dandelion and burdock
• Dandelion coffee
• List of beneficial weeds
• List of companion plants
• Medicinal properties of dandelion

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Taraxacum

• How to cook dandelions ~ at Wikibooks.

Rip Slyme (often stylized as RIP SLYME) is a Japanese hip hop group. It is composed of four MCs; Ryo-Z, Ilmari, Pes & Su, and a DJ, Fumiya. Their sound derives its influences from old school hip hop and other Hip Hop such as The Pharcyde, De La Soul, Public Enemy, Jurassic 5, the Beastie Boys, DJ Premier, Leaders of the New School.

Members[link]

• Ryo-Z: Ryouji Narita (成田亮治 Narita Ryouji), b. July 15, 1974
• Ilmari: Keisuke Ogihara (荻原恵介 Ogihara Keisuke), b. June 17, 1975
• Pes: Masatsugu Chiba (千葉昌嗣 Chiba Masatsugu), b. December 27, 1976
• Su: Kazuto Otsuki (大槻一人 Ōtsuki Kazuto), b. November 20, 1973
• Fumiya: Fumiya Takeuchi (竹内文也 Takeuchi Fumiya), b. March 14, 1979

Biography[link]

The group was formed in 1994 by Ryo-Z and Ilmari, who were later joined by Pes (he attended the same school as Ilmari). The Rip in Rip Slyme stands for their initials. Slyme was a popular children's toy at that time. Their name is also a pun on the phrase "lips' rhyme". Winning an amateur rapping contest "Young MCs In Town", they started their musical career with their first album Lips Rhyme in 1995. Later they added DJ Fumiya (who had studied under East End X Yuri's DJ Yoggy) and Su (previously a backup dancer for East End X Yuri). In 1998 they released their second album, "Talkin' Cheap" and also took part in Dragon Ash's Total Communication event.

They became ever more successful and signed to Warner Music Group in 2000. By then they had release several indie singles include their EP "Underline No. 5" and "Mata Au Hi Made" which had received the help of Fantastic Plastic Machine. "Mata Au Hi Made" was released on Warner Music Group's Indies label. Their first major single was "Stepper's Delight" released 22 March 2001. The title was a play on The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight".

In general, Fumiya composes most of the music, while Ryo-Z, Pes, Ilmari, and Su write their own lyrics. However, before Fumiya became a member, Pes composed most of the songs. Each member has tried their hand at composing music for Rip Slyme, and Pes occasionally plays guitar on some tracks (Such as Home and More & More, for example). Allegedly, Pes was in a rock band before being introduced to hip hop music by Ilmari and Ryo-Z.

In 2002 they received MTV Video Music Awards Japan for "Best Newcomer" and "Best Hip-hop Group".

The same year they released a big-budget album "Tokyo Classic", which became Japan's first million-selling hip-hop album, with a sound compared to James Brown's soul and funk. Two singles from the album, "Funkastic" and "Rakuen Baby" collected MTV awards in 2003. "Super Shooter", featured as a B-side to their single "Galaxy", is the theme song for the anime Gantz.

To date they have released 6 indies singles with 17 major singles. They as well have released 2 indie albums, 7 major albums, 1 live album, 1 indies collection album, and 1 best of album.

From late 2005 (after the release of Good Job in August) through 2006, DJ Fumiya has been on extended break, citing illness. For performances, a friend of the band by the name of DJ Soma has been standing in. Fumiya's break has led to several interesting side projects and collaborations from other members. Fumiya is supposed to have returned to activity for concerts in late summer 2006. He has returned for the latest Rip Slyme release, Epoch.

On 7 July 2007 Rip Slyme performed their single "Nettaiya" at Live Earth in Kyoto, Japan. Later that year, they would go on to release their fifteenth major single, Speed King, and their seventh Warner album, Funfair, shortly after.

In summer 2008, they released Taiyou to Bikini, their only single that year. Later that year, three digital singles would debut, all of which would be on the February 2009 single Stairs. Rip Slyme released their eighth album, Journey, on June 10, 2009.

Rip Slyme has provided voiceover work as well as the ending theme for the Japanese dub of SpongeBob SquarePants.^[1] The episode aired on May 6, 2009.

Discography[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

2002

• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Hip Hop Artist (Winner)
• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best New Artist (Winner)
• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Live Performance

2003

• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Video of the Year - Rakuen Baby (Winner)
• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Group Video - Rakuen Baby (Winner)
• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Hip Hop Video - Funktastic (Winner)
• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Album of the Year - Tokyo Classic

2004

• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Group Video - Joint
• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Hip Hop Video - Joint
• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best buzzASIA Japan - Joint

2006

• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Collaboration Video - Hotei x Rip Slyme - Battle Funkastic (Winner)

2007

• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Collaboration Video - Quruli feat. Rip Slyme - Juice

2008

• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Hip Hop Video - I.N.G (Winner)
• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Group Video - I.N.G

2009

• MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Pop Video - Taiyou to Bikini

Notes[link]

References[link]

• http://metropolis.japantoday.com/tokyo/437/music_beat.asp

Connections[link]

• Teriyaki Boyz
• Dragon Ash
• Steady & Co.
• M-Flo
• Rhymester
• Fantastic Plastic Machine
• East End X Yuri
• Speed
• Da Pump
• kaela kimura

External links[link]

• Official site
• Warner's Rip Slyme Page
• Rip Locks! Radio Show
• Rip Slyme discography at MusicBrainz

Nicole Richie
Richie In Store Appearance David Jones Photo Call 2012
Born	Nicole Camille Escovedo (1981-09-21) September 21, 1981 (age 30) Berkeley, California, U.S.
Occupation	Television personality, actress, fashion designer, author
Years active	2003–present
Spouse	Joel Madden (2010–present)
Children	2[1]
Website
www.nicolerichie.com

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

Richie rose to prominence for her role in the Fox reality television series, The Simple Life which lasted five seasons. Afterwards she turned her focus on other projects including charity work and environmental issues. In November 2007 Richie and husband, Joel Madden, created "The Richie Madden Children's Foundation".^[2] She is currently one of the three mentors on NBC's Fashion Star.

Richie's personal life has also attracted media attention, including her dramatically thin appearance, driving under the influence arrests in 2003 and 2006, as well as her extensive drug abuse throughout her late teenage years and early twenties.

Early life[link]

Nicole Richie was born in Berkeley, California.^[3] Her biological father is Peter Michael Escovedo, a musician who played for a brief time with Lionel Richie, and her biological mother Karen was the executive assistant for her aunt Sheila E. At the age of three, her parents agreed to let her move in with Lionel Richie and Brenda Harvey because they could not afford to provide for her financially. "My parents were friends with Lionel," she told People in 2003. "They trusted that they would be better able to provide for me."^[4] Initially, Lionel Richie became her guardian.^[5] Lionel Richie and Brenda Harvey effectively raised Nicole as their daughter. She began attending weekly sessions with a psycho-therapist at age three, remaining in therapy throughout childhood.

Richie was legally adopted by Lionel and Brenda when she was nine years old. Shortly after the adoption was formalized, Lionel's affair with another woman became public knowledge.^[6] Lionel and Brenda went through a bitter, public split. As a result, they indulged Nicole's every whim. "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 an interview with Vanity Fair.^[7] Following the divorce, Lionel remarried and gave Nicole two younger siblings; Myles (b. 1994) and Sofia (b. 1998).^[8] Richie has one godmother, Nancy Davis, daughter of Marvin Davis and mother of Brandon Davis. Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson were each Richie's godfathers.^[9] Jones said in a People magazine interview that he has "known Nicole Richie since she was a baby. She's a very smart girl".^[10]

In 1986, Richie attended The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California, where she met Paris Hilton. Richie graduated from Montclair College Preparatory School in 1999 and then attended the University of Arizona alongside Kourtney Kardashian and Luke Walton, where she studied Arts and Media. Richie did not have a definitive study plan in Arizona, and eventually dropped out after two years and returned to California.^[9]

Career[link]

Television[link]

In 2003, Richie and her then 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. The series premiere debuted on Fox on December 2, 2003, to thirteen million viewers, increasing Fox's Adults 18-49 rating to 79%.^[11] The series continued for a second and third season, and Richie achieved superstardom for her out-spoken, comedic persona.^{[citation needed]}

The show was subsequently cancelled by Fox after a dispute between Hilton and Richie, but it was subsequently aired by E! Entertainment Television for the fourth season, which was a hit for E!, drawing nearly one million viewers and a relatively unsuccessful fifth season.^[12] More complications arose during the production of a fifth season. Both Richie and Hilton faced major charges for DUI, and were at risk of serving jail time. Hilton was sentenced to 23 days in jail, though this was after production of the season had finished.^[13] Richie accepted a plea agreement and was sentenced to four days in jail, again after production had wrapped.^[14] Despite talks of a sixth season,^[15] the series finished its run at the end of the moderately unsuccessful fifth season.^[16][17]

In 2005, Nicole Richie made her acting debut in the comedic drama Kids in America. Richie has guest starred in television series including Eve, Six Feet Under and American Dreams, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, and playing the recurring character Heather Chandler on Chuck.^[18] In July 2008, plans were announced to turn Richie's 2005 novel, The Truth About Diamonds, into a television series.^[19]

On January 1, 2010, it was announced that Richie would appear as a guest judge on Project Runway.^[20]

Richie is currently filming Fashion Star for NBC.

Writing[link]

In 2005, Richie wrote a semi-autobiographical novel, The Truth About Diamonds, which was released by Bharell Jackson Publishing. The novel is loosely based on her life, but is mostly fictional. It chronicles the life of Chloe Parker, the adopted daughter of a singer who makes her way through all of the popular nightclubs and parties in Hollywood while battling a drug addiction.^[21] In early January 2006, The Truth About Diamonds peaked at number #32 in Hardcover Fiction on The New York Times Best-Seller List.^[22]

Richie's second novel, Priceless, was released on September 28, 2010.^[23] It tells the story of a girl who loses everything and then learns about what really matters in life.^[24]

Fashion[link]

Richie's own personal style has become popular among fans and fashion critics and has led to her status as a fashion impresario and icon. She has been the face of Bongo Jeans and Jimmy Choo advertising campaigns. In April 2007, Richie announced plans to start a jewelry, accessories, and sunglasses line along with a perfume and style book.^[25] In October 2008, she debuted a jewelry line, House of Harlow 1960.^[26] The line became available at Kitson's online boutique.^[27] In Spring 2010, the line was extended to include apparel and shoes.^[28] In 2009, Richie joined maternity store A Pea in the Pod to create the new collection maternity clothes.^[29] The line was titled "Nicole" which had pieces that she would wear as an expectant mother.^[30] In February 2010, Richie expanded her fashion business with a women’s line called Winter Kate, her daughter's two middle names. The collection was inspired by timeless prints and shapes, beautiful paisley and florals.^[31]

In 2010, she won "Entrepreneur of the Year" for her House of Harlow 1960 brand at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.^[32] House of Harlow 1960 was also nominated in the category "Celebrity Fashion Line" at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards.^[33] In July 2011, it was reported that Richie's House of Harlow 1960 line has unveiled a 14-piece handbag collection. The House of Harlow 1960 handbag collection will be available at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Shopbop.com.^[34] In July 2011, it was announced that Richie would be one of the three mentors in NBC's new reality show Fashion Star alongside Jessica Simpson.^[35][36]

Music[link]

Richie made her musical debut in February 2005 with a live appearance on ABC's The View playing the piano.^[37] Although widely speculated that Richie is working on an album, she denied the rumors to People. She was quoted as saying, "I do eventually [want to record an album], but right now I have a lot on my plate".^[38] In February 2010, Richie was featured on the charity single "We Are the World 25 for Haiti". "I was four years old in a studio, watching my dad record "We Are the World" and today I get to do it again. Excited to help make a change," she later said of the experience.^[39]

In 2004, she auditioned for the part of Maureen in the popular Broadway hit, Rent, but did not get the part. In 2008, she was offered the lead role in the hit musical Chicago as Roxie Hart.^[40]

Personal life[link]

Richie and Joel Madden in March 2010

Family and relationships[link]

In April 2005, reports surfaced that Richie and longtime friend Paris Hilton were no longer speaking. Hilton commented: "It's no big secret that Nicole and I are no longer friends. Nicole knows what she did, and that's all I'm ever going to say about it."^[41] Neither Richie nor Hilton spoke publicly about the cause of the split, though it was speculated that the pair fell out due to Nicole showing one of Paris' homemade sex tapes to a group of their friends. They eventually reconciled in October 2006.^[42]

She dated DJ Adam Goldstein from 2003 to 2005, but broke up after a nine-month engagement.^[43] Richie was also briefly linked to childhood friend Brody Jenner of MTV's The Hills.^[44]

Richie began dating Good Charlotte lead singer Joel Madden in December 2006.^[45] They have two children: daughter Harlow Winter Kate Richie Madden (born January 11, 2008)^[46] and son Sparrow James Midnight Madden (born September 9, 2009).^[47] The couple confirmed their engagement in February 2010,^[48] and married on December 11, 2010.^[49] In February 2008, the first photos of Harlow were sold to People, who paid $1 million.^[50]

Health[link]

In early 2006, Richie made headlines for her dramatically thinner appearance, after spending two seasons of The Simple Life slightly heavier than her usual weight.^[51] In May she told Vanity Fair, "I know I'm too thin right now, so I wouldn't want any young girl looking at me and saying, 'That's what I want to look like.'"^[52] She also said, "I started seeing a nutritionist and a doctor. I was scared that it could be something more serious."^[53] During this time it was reported that she had also sought the help of a psychiatrist and a personal trainer.^[54] Later that year, in September, Richie stated "I am not anorexic. I am not bulimic. I do not have an eating disorder."^[54] On October 27, 2006, it was announced that Richie was seeking treatment for "an inability to put on weight," though it is not treatment for an eating disorder.^[54]

In March 2007, Richie was taken to the hospital for dehydration. On March 21, her representatives announced she was diagnosed with hypoglycemia.^[55]

Richie's December 2006 mug shot

Legal issues[link]

In February 2003, Richie was arrested in Malibu, California and was charged with possession of heroin while driving with a suspended driver's license.^[56]

On December 11, 2006, Richie was arrested by the California Highway Patrol after she failed a field sobriety test. She was charged with driving under the influence on State Route 134 in the Burbank/Glendale, California area. Several motorists had reported a black Mercedes-Benz G-Class entering the freeway on the exit ramp and travelling in the opposite traffic direction.^[57] She admitted to using marijuana and the narcotic Vicodin before the incident.^[57] On July 27, 2007, Richie was sentenced to four days in jail at the Century Regional Detention Center in Lynwood, California.^[58] However, she only served about 82 minutes of the sentence and was released at 16:37 PDT on August 23, 2007.^[59] A spokeswoman for the sheriff's department told People magazine that Richie "was released early due to overcrowding in the jail system. This is standard procedure for nonviolent offenders." After spending 82 minutes in jail, Richie was "Of course pleasantly surprised to be released so quickly," said her attorney.^[60]

Richie enrolled in an 18-month anti-drinking driver education program, according to papers filed with the Superior Court of California.^[61] On June 22, her probation was extended one year to March 2011 because she missed her anti-drinking driving class.^[62] However, Richie's probation was terminated early on December 29, 2010 after her lawyer presented details to the judge that Richie had completed all terms of her probation.^[63]

Charity[link]

In November 2007, Richie and partner Joel Madden created "The Richie Madden Children's Foundation".^[64] Richie, Joel and Benji Madden along with UNICEF held a fundraiser for the Tap Project in March 2009. They sold 143 water pumps to bring water directly to the villages and raised $100,000.^[65] 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.^[66] The Richie-Madden Foundation specially designed "Cup with a Cause" for 7-Eleven. It was a part of their charity-focused coffee campaign in February 2010.^[67] During 2010 the Foundation worked together with Beyond Shelter, a non-profit organization devoted to providing shelter for homeless families in Los Angeles.^[68]