Nicole Richie Shoots Down Pregnancy Rumors

Following a couple of days of intense speculation on whether she was expecting her third child, socialite turned reality start turned fashion designer Nicole Richie is taking the time to personally address the rumors: she’s not pregnant.

It all started with a series of paparazzi shots of her leaving the gym, wearing a rather loose t-shirt (one of the pics is also attached to this article) and sporting what may have looked like a baby bump.

Once those photos ended up online, there was literally no stopping the pregnancy rumor, which is probably why Nicole herself wants to set the records straight in a statement to Us Magazine.

“Contrary to recent speculation, I am not pregnant,” Nicole tells the celebrity magazine.

Not only is this insulting to her as a woman, but Nicole also believes it diverts attention from more pressing issues, while also promoting this tendency of rumors-as-news.

“This irresponsible reporting continues to feed an atmosphere of self-doubt and insecurity. To publicly point out a change in anyone’s body is mean spirited and cruel,” she says, in reference to claims that she seemed “heavier,” wherefrom the conclusion that she must be pregnant.

She, just like all the women and men out there, changes with time, and this means her body does too.

“People’s bodies change and change again. This is not newsworthy and is a waste of valuable media space that should be used for more important issues,” the star adds in the same statement.

Nicole, who has two children with husband Joel Madden, once said that she wasn’t in any rush to add more to her brood.

“I don’t think it’s fair to ask someone that had two [children] back to back if they’re going to have another one. Right now I’m like, ‘Nooo!’ But you never know. I need a nap!” Nicole said in January this year, as per the aforementioned publication.