Nicole Richie Back in Rehab Again?

Reports are swirling that tabloid princess Nicole Richie is back - yet again - in rehab and more "helpless" than ever.

We wouldn't be surprised. We would react similarly to the the news that Britney Spears went shopping, neglected her kids, took a dance class or performed another sub-par, 11-minute show for $125 tickets.

But TMZ tells us that it just isn't so. The Nicole Richie part, anyway. In fact, Nicole is sitting at home in Glendale right now and doing fine, her rep says.

Still, the National Enquirer and Star are jointly reporting that walking freak show re-entered rehab at Beau Monde May 11 to fight anorexia and a painkiller addiction, on an outpatient basis, and that she did so "in tears," lamenting the fact that she's "lost control of her life."

What's more, report the tabs, Paris Hilton's bitchy gal pal went back in just a few days ago, on the 19th.

But Richie's rep tells a totally different story, namely that she isn't - and wasn't - in rehab, and that she's "in Glendale at her house."

We hope there is food there. Or that Brody Jenner is bored today and decides to start up his campaign to date her and make her eat again.

We're told that she did go back to see her therapist, and that her recovery is "an ongoing process," but that she's "completely sober."

Well, that's good. She's a step ahead of Tom Sizemore and Scott Stapp.