Is Nicole Richie Pregnant? Rumors Swirl on Internets

Is Nicole Richie pregnant?

The Simple Life "star" is being coy on the question of whether she's got a bun in that emaciated, anorexic oven, but a good pal of hers says she's definitely carrying the spawn of Joel Madden.

That friend must not be that good a pal. Otherwise she wouldn't make up stories and leak them to the tabloids. This informant is making Heidi Montag look like BFF of the year!

In any event, what does the supposed Richie confidant say is the underlying motivation - or at least the best possible side effect - of Nicole getting Knocked Up harder than Katherine Heigl in this summer's hit movie?

"[Nicole Richie] is kind of hoping her pregnancy will keep her out of jail," the friend said.

Surprising that spoiled jailbird Paris Hilton never considered getting preggers via Stavros Niarchos and claiming that as her defense.

Richie is facing time due to a DUI arrest late last year. But friends are concerned and "wondering if she can carry the baby to term because of her weight issues," we're told.

Now that part of this supposed news is certainly believable. Just look at some of these Nicole Richie photos. Hunger. It's not just for third world refugees anymore.