Nicole Richie Watch

Despite their resemblance (being identical twins that they are), it seems that Benji Madden and his twin brother, Joel are now living very different lives now.

While Benji seems enjoying singlehood (he broke up with Nicole’s BFF, Paris Hilton last November), Joel is obviously loving the life of a family man; being Nicole Richie’s partner and daddy to Harlow and to their second baby coming.

But of course Benj couldn’t get any happier for his brother and is just as excited to be an uncle again. He recently shared to People magazine that he knew about Nic’s second pregnancy long before Joel made public announcement.

“You have to wait before you can tell people. I found out a little bit earlier. We’re twin brothers so we share everything,” he revealed.

The Good Charlotte guitarist, who thinks the pregnancy is “exciting” is hoping that his brother do wish his brother to have a big family as he believes the couple (Nicole and Joel) are “the best parents” he has seen.

He continues, “The family vibe in our band is really strong right now and we’re all really enjoying that. I’m the last single guy in the band so I get to dive into the music a little more, which I love. My life is great right now. It’s wonderful.”

But talking about being a dad himself in the future, Benj shares, “I’m great with kids and I absolutely want kids when the time is right and I have the right partner. I’ll bring them on tour. They’ll be little rock ‘n’ roll kids.”

Aww… isn’t he just sweet? Can’t wait for the time that Benj will finally meet the right girl for him. Too bad Paris let go of this beautiful man.

The Madden boys were out in town again. Last month, the Good Charlotte rockers, along with Sports Illustrated swimsuit covergirl, Bar Refaeli, went to attend the “Walk the Walk,” a competition in House of Blues, Anaheim for high school students to interpret and model Hurely’s collection. But apart from modelling, the students get to design for their own fashion.

The boys and Bar, assumed their roles as judges for the said competition.

After one of the performances, Nicole Richie’s main sqeeze, Joel, being true to his rocker eccentricities, commented to the audience that one of the male students on the runway reminded him of a football player in high school.

And not just any other football player. According to him, this particular one used to duct tape him to a chair and put ben gay on his…erm….private parts down there.

Hmmm…what could that football player be thinking?! Good thing that this did not affect Joel’s ability to, uhm, help populate the world and bear beautiful kids. Just look at his uber cute daughter, Harlow Winter!

Anyway, continuing on the event, Joel’s pregnant girfriend, Nicole and Bar’s boyfriend, Leonardo DiCaprio, did not make it to the swimsuit runway affair. Instead, they were in equally good hands, with Taboo of Black-Eyed Peas, Robert Buckley of Lipstick Jungle, and Frankie Delgado of MTV’s bromance and The Hills, to jeep them company. These celebrities were all there to support the good cause and to keep each other in good company.

According to a RadarOnline.com source, “They all seem to be in a good mood. The energy at this event was amazing.”

Well, with gorgeous brothers, Joel and Benji and high school girls, along with Bar and high school boys, all in the same room (coupled with raging hormones that only teenagers are capable of), there is no doubt at all that the energy in the extravaganza would be overwhelming.

Cheers!

It has been almost three months now that Nicole Richie’s unofficial brother-in-law Benji Madden and frienemy, Paris Hilton broke up after nine months of what we thought as “blissful” relationship but intrigues linking Benji to the heiress still wouldn’t stop.

In an interview with the British press to promote her ITV show, Paris Hilton’s My New British Best Friend, Paris has just implied that her breakup with Benji was due to the latter’s super controlling and annoying personality.

“When I was shooting the show I had a boyfriend. There were a lot of straight people who tried out but he didn’t really believe they wanted to be my best friend, he thought they wanted to be more so we didn’t allow any straight boys. Maybe next season,” Paris stated.

And so despite claiming that the two are still good friends, I don’t know how Benji would take this statement.

While Nicole Richie partied last Thursday (January 29) at the Byron & Tracey Salon Party in California with her former stylist, Rachel Zoe, her partner, Joel Madden and unofficial brother-in-law, Benji Madden was out in St. Petersburg, Florida to attend the DIRECTV’s 3rd Annual Celebrity Beach Bowl at Progress Energy Park.

Ready with their football attire, the two seems ready to ‘rumble’ or actually pose with camera. Now isn’t it adorable to see the twins’ closeness?

Meanwhile, while Benji seems to be coping up well after his breakup with Paris Hilton, the latter seems to be considering a British man as the former’s replacement.

“I think British men are so sexy and sophisticated and gentlemanly and hot. I love the accent. I haven’t heard of Antanddec — is that one person?,” says Paris in one of her interviews with the UK media.

Proving that they’re more than just rock stars, twins, Joel and Benji Madden are set to visit American University in Maryland on February 4 to join the discussion on the crisis in Central Africa and other related issues.

On his MySpace blog, Joel posted some details about the talk and the charity that he is obviously passionate about right now.

Here is the post:

Joel and Benji Madden, John Prendergast At Feb. 4 American University Talk
Joel and Benji Madden will speak with John Prendergast at American University on February 4th to discuss ‘conflict minerals’ in Congo and their trip to the Central African Republic.

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 2, 2009 — The Enough Project at the Center for American Progress and American University’s School of International Service will sponsor a discussion on the crisis in central Africa and the multimillion dollar trade in ‘conflict minerals’ that fuels the conflict with Joel and Benji Madden of the rock group Good Charlotte, along with John Prendergast, co-chair of Enough, on Wednesday, February 4, at 7pm.
The free event, in Room One of American’s Ward Building at 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, will focus on how ‘conflict minerals’ - mined in Congo and used universally in small electronic devices like cell phones – are fueling a deadly war in central Africa, and how students and activists can become advocates for this issue.
Joel Madden, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and his brother and fellow band member, Benji Madden, traveled to Central African Republic with UNICEF last fall to witness the devastating impact that conflict and poverty has had on the region. The Madden brothers have been involved as ‘Enough Envoys’ for the RAISE Hope for Congo campaign since last fall, raising awareness about the crisis at their concerts, creating public-service announcements, and educating lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Enough, a project to end genocide and crimes against humanity at the Center for American Progress, launched the RAISE Hope for Congo: Protect and Empower Congo’s Women campaign last fall to build a movement of activists who can advocate for an end to the widespread sexual violence against women and girls plaguing the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo, located in central Africa, and raise awareness about the role that mining for natural mineral resources plays in fueling the crisis. The conflict has been marked by cycles of escalation, and the international response has been wholly inadequate.
Enough is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, Enough focuses on crises in Sudan, Chad, eastern Congo, northern Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe. Enough’s strategy papers and briefings provide sharp field analysis and targeted policy recommendations based on a “3P” crisis response strategy: promoting durable peace, providing civilian protection, and punishing perpetrators of atrocities. Enough works with concerned citizens, advocates, and policy makers to prevent, mitigate, and resolve these crises. To learn more about Enough and what you can do to help, visit www.enoughproject.org. The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to promoting a strong, just and free America that ensures opportunity for all. We believe that Americans are bound together by a common commitment to these values and we aspire to ensure that our national policies reflect these values. We work to find progressive and pragmatic solutions to significant domestic and international problems and develop policy proposals that foster a government that is “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Now for someone who hasn’t really been a big fan of Nicole Richie and the people surrounding her, this is one thing I never expected to find out about Joel and Benji. I love the fact that despite with their rock-star image, these two have such huge hearts.

I must admit that way before I already have pre-conceived thoughts about the likes of the Madden twins. But after getting to know them through the blogs I do here at 451press, everything has changed.

Actually after learning all these charitable works of the Maddens, I just got convinced that Nicole found a gem through Joel. And for Paris Hilton who broke up with Benji, too bad to let go of such good heart.

A rocker with a huge heart…

Well despite his punk image, it looks like Joel Madden’s twin brother, Benji has more that meets the eye.

In an interview with People magazine, Benj shares about how protective he is over his niece, Harlow.

“I’m going to be keeping a close eye on her. I’ll leave the shotgun right by the door,” tells Benji talking abut the inevitable dating future of his 1-year-old niece.

Asked about the parenting skills of Joel and Nicole, he reveals, “When they had her, their instincts just kind of came out, and it’s amazing to see. They just really put their child above everything. Joel is such a great dad and Nicole is the best mom I’ve ever seen. Joel is all about showing up. His main concern in life is protecting and caring for his family.”

Now I guess this loving side of Benji is something that Paris Hilton will always miss.