Life and Style

After three years and two kids together, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have finally gotten engaged! When a fan spotted Nicole wearing a new ring on her left hand at NYC hotspot Abe & Arthur's just after 8:30 pm on Feb. 15, the fan congratulated Nicole and fiancé Joel Madden -- who both confirmed the good news. "Thank you," a beaming Nicole told the fan. Joel echoed the thanks as well. A friend of Nicole's tells Life & Style, "she's beyond thrilled and so excited to start planning her dream wedding."

Radio shock jock Howard Stern is rumored to be a front-runner to replace American Idol judge Simon Cowell. And Howard's wife, Beth Stern, tells Life & Style she thinks it's a "brilliant idea."

"I get the benefit of sitting next to him when he watches American Idol every week," she tells Life & Style. "And he is so hysterical. He's brutally honest. He actually roots for the contestants. He'll say if he thinks they don't have talent, but he's a cheerleader for them too."

Beth tells Life & Style she doesn't know if Howard — who told his listeners he'd do it "for $100 million" — is really going to try to nab the judge's chair, which will open up next season. But, Beth adds, "I think he is having fun with the idea!"

Photo Credit: Wireimage