NICOLE & BRODY: WHY HE THINKS SCARY SKINNY IS SEXY
Nicole Richie may lack the sort of alluring curves that usually attract hordes of male admirers — estimates place a meager 82 pounds on the 24-year-old's 5'2" frame — but that hasn't stopped the pin-thin Simple Life star from placing childhood friend Brody Jenner, 23, firmly under her spell. And their romance only got hotter during an emotional Aug. 28 visit to the tiny rural town of Brewton, Ala., (approx. pop. 5,373) where the couple visited Nicole's ailing 80-year-old maternal grandmother!
"They are getting really serious really quickly!" a source says of the pair, who, as Star reported, made their public debut with a cozy Beverly Hills lunch on Aug. 14. "Since they first hooked up, they haven't left each other's side," adds a source.
DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
The stars may have become inseparable since Brody was dumped by former Laguna Beach vixen Kristin Cavallari on Aug. 9, but their reason for heading down South is far from happy: Nicole is deeply concerned about her beloved grandmother, Brewton resident Lucille Harvey. "Brody said he'd go with Nicole and her mother, Brenda, to tend to the dear old lady," a source says. "It was really sweet of him, and he's fitting in fine with the rest of the family, because he's content to hang around and just be very supportive while Nicole and her mom are taking care of her grandmother."
Of course, ex-The Princes of Malibu star Brody (the son of Olympian Bruce Jenner and songwriter Linda Thompson) has been friends with Nicole and her family since both were toddlers (see photo, above)! That history may explain their friendship — but it can't quite explain Brody's head-over-heels attraction to Nicole, with her ever-dwindling frame! "Brody thinks she's a sweetheart. But he also likes that Nicole has a lot of money, so she can afford to go places, something Kristin didn't have. Nicole can also help him with his career [as a rock drummer and actor]. I don't think he's trying to get back at Kristin, but he does think Nicole is on a higher level than her!" says one source. Still, another friend of the duo claims his attraction goes much deeper. "Nicole is vivacious and has a great personality," says the source. "This is his dream come true — he's always had a crush on her, and he's finally won her over!"
SHE LOVES HIS ATTENTION
And sources say Nicole is tickled by the attention, especially since her ex-fiancé, Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein, who ended their relationship last May, was usually too busy spinning discs to focus on her needs. "Nicole likes that Brody treats her so well," says a source. "He's such a gentleman. She's never had that before! Brody stands up when she leaves the table, even if she's only going to the ladies room. He stands up again when she comes back. He was brought up that way and she appreciates it!" Sounds like they've rediscovered each other at just the right time!
