Nicole Richie's daughter posts first snap after sharing new identity
by CHARLOTTE DEAN, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR · Mail OnlineNicole Richie's daughter has shared her first Instagram post since she revealed she had changed her name and undergone a dramatic transformation.
The TV personality's daughter, 18, was born Harlow Winter Kate, but recently changed her name on social media to just her middle name, Kate.
Nicole explained afterwards that her eldest child has gone by Kate her whole life, so it 'makes sense' that she would now do so publicly.
Sharing her first post since announcing the change on her 18th birthday, Kate posted glamorous snaps with her new jet black hair and unveiled her back tattoo.
There was a pair of delicately sketched angel wings on her back, which appeared to be a nod to the pair Nicole has tattooed on her own back.
In the photos, the daughter of Nicole and her husband Joel Madden was wearing a figure-hugging gold dress with butterfly detailing, similar to her wing tattoo.
Her mother, who is best known for her appearance in The Simple Life with best friend Paris Hilton, showed her support in the comment section.
Kate captioned the pictures with an angel wing emoji, while her mother left a string of red love hearts in the comments section.
Last month, Nicole addressed her daughter's new identity for the first time after the teen revealed her transformation on her birthday.
Nicole shares her daughter as well as son Sparrow, 16, with husband Joel.
Nicole uploaded a sweet Instagram tribute to her daughter, by sharing a number of throwback images. But when she tagged the teen, it was revealed that she is now going by her middle name Kate.
Her dramatic transformation was also seen – with Kate ditching her honey blonde locks for a jet black color.
'Yeah, she goes by her middle name,' Nicole told People. 'She has her whole life.'
In regards to the reaction from social media users that noticed the name change, the star said, 'I didn't look, but it makes sense... she goes by her middle name.'
Nicole jumped to her main Instagram page earlier this week as she wished her eldest child a happy birthday.
She uploaded a carousel of snaps to show her daughter growing over the years – with one image of the reality star holding her newborn as well as more recent pictures.
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The star simply penned in the caption to her 7.2 million followers, '18 years of you @katemaddennn,' followed by a red heart and cake emoji.
Nicole also shared a photo of her daughter on her Story.
In text added over the post, the mom of two penned, 'My favorite person in the world is now 18. Happy birthday @katemaddennn. I [heart] you.'
One fan typed out, 'Happy Birthday!? Did she change her name?' with another replying with, 'I was thinking that myself, wasn't it Harlow.'
Others left messages in the comments including Kate's father and lead vocalist of Good Charlotte who wrote, 'That's my girl ❤️✨.'
Her uncle Benji Madden – who is married to Cameron Diaz – also shared, 'How to make a grown man cry!!! love you Kate! You're a bad a**! Never forget it! Happy 18!!'
Nicole has previously opened up about raising her two children, who are now enjoying their teenage years.
'Motherhood is the most wild ride and the absolute best,' she gushed while talking to Interview Magazine back in 2024.
The same year, the TV personality got candid about raising Kate and Sparrow as they became teens.
'I just so clearly remember what it's like to be a teenager. It feels like it happened yesterday for me. And they know everything I did,' she expressed to Glamour.
'I knew before I had them that I was going to have to be transparent with them about who I was. And I've actually found freedom in that.'
She added: 'I didn't want my kids having some big discovery about me. And I've always been very open and honest with my kids and hope that they are open and honest with me.'
Richie also told Today that her 'favorite stage' of parenting so far has been raising teenagers.
The reality star explained: 'I just so clearly remember being 16 that it's actually surprising how quickly I can go back there.
'When my daughter's telling me drama with her friends, I go, "I remember. Laila Heckmath did that to me." I remember first and last names, so it's fun. It's wild. And just the best.'
Along with balancing motherhood, Richie has been keeping busy with work in the entertainment industry.
She reunited with her close pal Paris Hilton for the 2024 series Paris & Nicole: The Encore in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their show The Simple Life.
That same year, the star took on a role in the Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead remake of the 1991 film.
Richie reflected on ageing during her conversation with Interview Magazine and said being in her 40s is 'the absolute most fun decade'.
She added: 'I find myself name-dropping my age now more than ever, simply because I want people to understand the state of mind that I'm in. I am not some 20-year-old idiot...'