People News

Nicole Richie's Madden-ing split

May 18, 2007, 11:10 GMT

Nicole Richie EPA/TRACEY NEARMY AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Nicole Richie has reportedly split from boyfriend Joel Madden.

Sources claim the pair, who began dating last November, ended their relationship during a recent trip to Australia, where they attended the MTV Australia Video Music Awards.

A source told Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper: "Joel was acting like a single man at the awards after party and the couple openly argued in front of the crowd."

"Nicole was in tears at one stage, but no one really knows why."

Good Charlotte singer Joel reportedly dumped Nicole for being "too clingy" during the trip, which included stops in Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.

US gossip website PerezHilton.com also claims the pair have split because they have not been seen together since their return.

Blogger Perez wrote: "Word is spreading fast that Joel and Nicole broke up right after their trip to Australia."

Earlier this year, it was reported Nicole and Joel were engaged.

The pair almost tied the knot in Las Vegas on February 17, but decided to get Nicole's adoptive dad Lionel Richie's blessing first.

A source said at the time: "They picked out matching silver and diamond rings at a jewellery boutique in Caesar's Palace and then headed to the Little White Wedding Chapel where the hovered outside for ages.

"But Nicole wanted her dad's blessing so they went straight to see him when they got back to Los Angeles."

The couple were then said to be planning to marry in front of their close family and friends at Mexico's Las Ventanas resort in Cabo San Lucas.

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