Nicole Richie Confused About Joke Email Fuss  5/31/07

Socialite Nicole Richie can't believe she's under attack for emailing friends a joke invite to a Memorial Day party.

The Simple Life star poked fun at her 2006 drink driving arrest and ongoing stories about her alleged eating disorder in the invite, and is now being asked to explain herself in the media.

But Richie is more concerned about who hacked into her private email account and leaked the confidential invite.

Appearing on KIIS-FM DJ Ryan Seacrest's Los Angeles breakfast show this morning (30May07), Richie said, "You know what, it (message) rhymes... Are we really going to take an email that rhymes that seriously?

"It's a private email... to my friends, I was joking and I don't think there's anything wrong with it... I think that it's funny.

"It's not like I went and posted it on some blog or something; I didn't mean to make it public, and I have every right to say whatever I want to my friends.

"It's not that deep... I wanted to write something that rhymes and that was funny. That's it... I do it for every single holiday.

"I'm really confused as to why everyone is so shocked that I wrote a joking email to my friends."

Richie began the email by stating, "Celebrate our country by drinking massive amounts of beer," adding, "There will be a scale at the front door. No girls over 100 pounds allowed in. Start starving yourself now."