Nicole Richie Gets Serious About Role Model Status  8/6/07

Jailbound socialite Nicole Richie is determined to become the perfect young mum after accepting she's a role model to thousands of Americans.

The pregnant Simple Life star insists she has turned her back on her wild ways, drug taking and partying and plans to return to the limelight after her upcoming prison stint as a model mum.

Richie, who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs last month (Jul07), says she's ready to become a proper role model: "I'm really sorry for not accepting that earlier; it took me a while.

"I'm about to enter a world that's so different and so much more exciting than anything else that I've gone through.

"I plan to live a very healthy and respectable life and be a good example for little girls that are looking up to me."