Nick Lachey at the MTV Music Video Awards in 2004.
Birth name Nicholas Scott Lachey
Also known as Nick Lachey
Born November 9, 1973
Origin Harlan, Kentucky
Genre(s) Pop

Nicholas Scott Lachey (born November 9, 1973, in Harlan, Kentucky) is an American pop music singer who rose to fame in the mid-1990s as a writer and joint lead vocalist along with founding member Jeff Timmons of the band 98 Degrees. The group also included Lachey’s brother Drew Lachey and classmate Justin Jeffre.

Nick starred in the hit reality television series Newlyweds with his then-wife, fellow pop singer Jessica Simpson, which ran on MTV for four seasons from 2003 to 2005.

Following months of rumors and tabloid speculation, they announced their separation in November 2005, and were divorced in early 2006. On Friday, June 30, 2006, Nick and Jessica’s divorce became final.Contents [hide]
Biography

Early life

Nick Lachey was born on the border of Kentucky and Virginia in Harlan, Kentucky to Cate Fopma-Leimbach and John Lachey. Growing up in Ohio, he attended Cincinnati’s well regarded public School for Creative and Performing Arts, developing his vocal talent and aspiring to become an entertainer. However, it wasn’t until studying at Miami University in Ohio (majoring in Sports Medicine) that he realized his dream and followed his SCPA pals to Los Angeles. Nick with his friend Jeff Timmons plus his brother Drew and classmate Justin Jeffre all auditioned in Hollywood and formed the 1990sboy band 98 Degrees. Nick is also a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Miami University. Nick is also the uncle of his younger brother Drew Lachey’s daughter Isabella Claire Lachey.

98 Degrees
Main article: 98 Degrees

Nick was a member of the band 98 Degrees. Other band members were Nick’s brother Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons. 98 Degrees have released 4 albums to date. Their debut album was the self-titled 98 Degrees, however the band’s first real success came with their follow up album 98 Degrees and Rising. Other albums include This Christmas and Revelation. In 2002 they released The 98 Degrees Collection.

Currently the group is on hiatus with each member pursuing personal interests. They are expected to start work on their next album later this year.

Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica
Main article: Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica

Nick Lachey married fellow pop star Jessica Simpson in October 2002. The pair had dated for four years, however they had a five month break up, but remained in contact. They had both had a series of failures in the music industry: Nick faded off the map after 98 Degrees, and Jessica had low sales in both albums Irresistible and In This Skin. They needed some heavy promotion to push their careers further and Jessica’s father, Joe Simpson, had the idea for a reality show that followed the superstars’ newly married life together.

Newlyweds premiered on MTV in August of 2003 to a huge amount of viewers and recognition. The outrageous quotes, hilarious lifestyle, and mega-spending of the young couple made Newlyweds a phenomenon. Many famous moments included Jessica confusing tuna and chicken, and thinking that buffalos had wings. The couple was sprung straight back into the spotlight. Upon the success of the duo, Jessica re-released her album In This Skin. It quickly became a hit, reaching triple platinum status.

Solo album

On November 11, 2003, Lachey released his first solo album, titled SoulO. Despite being released during the success of Newlyweds, the album was a commercial failure and received poor reviews. He released two singles from the album: “This I Swear” (the theme song from Newlyweds) and “Shut Up”, a pop track featured in Newlyweds as Lachey was making the video.

Other ventures

Nick has appeared in films: Bewitched and The Hard Easy, both in 2005. He co-starred on Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, a reality TV show with former wife Jessica Simpson. The TV show ran for 4 seasons between 2003 and 2005. Lachey later guest starred on the TV hits Charmed and Hope and Faith.

Future in music

In early 2005 rumors circulated that Nick Lachey was back in the studio after SoulO failed to chart how he had anticipated in 2004. Nick soon confirmed that he was indeed back in the studio and he told how he was filming his own reality show along with Newlyweds. It reportedly followed Nick in making a record to restart his career. The album is titled “What’s Left Of Me” and was released May 9, 2006 from Jive Records.

Nick Lachey began his musical comeback following the breakdown of his marriage to Jessica Simpson in the spring of 2006 by releasing his second solo album, What’s Left Of Me. The title track, ‘What’s Left of Me’ was the first single and quickly became a hit, reaching a peak position of #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The subsequent album of the same name was released in May of 2006, and debuted at # 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, once again thrusting Lachey back into the spotlight. The album was certified gold in June 2006. Also in June, the single ‘What’s Left of Me’ hit number one on Billboard’s Hot Dance Airplay.

Nick Lachey’s band

Nick’s band for the “What’s Left of Me” tour will have Robbie Gennet playing rhythm guitar and singing, Al Berry playing bass guitar and singing, Kris Pooley playing keyboards and singing, Pathik Desai playing lead guitar and singing, and Derek Wyatt playing drums.

98 Degrees

As of early 2006 both Nick Lachey and 98 Degrees band mate Jeff Timmons have stated that their group, 98 Degrees, will have another album in the near future. According to sources, after Nick Lachey and Jeff Timmons both release their sophomore solo albums, 98 Degrees will be working on their next album. With the success each member has achieved, their next album is highly anticipated.

What’s Left of Me

In early July, Nick’s label, Jive Records, announced his What’s Left of Me Tour. The tour is about two months long and starts on September 20 of 2006.

Private life

In October of 2005 it was alleged by an Ohio State University student named Danielle Calo in Star magazine that Lachey coerced her into a hotel room in Columbus, Ohio for a make-out session. Lachey’s representatives deny the rumors, and it is reported that Calo later called WNCI’s Morning Zoo radio show and denied most of the claims she made in the Star interview. Lachey was in town to film a broadcast of ESPN College GameDay.

Though Nick and Jessica spent many hours on other people’s TV screens while at home and first married, the two insisted they lead a very private life beyond the spotlight. Since early 2005 Nick and Jessica had constantly been denying troubles in their marriage and made a point to be seen together denying the claims. Reports surfaced that Jessica had an affair with co-star Johnny Knoxville on The Dukes of Hazzard set in 2005.

Even though they constantly denied the rumors the couple announced that they’d separated in November of 2005. They soon put the famous mansion they shared on the market and Jessica filed for divorce on December 16, 2005. She cited “irreconcilable differences.” Jessica has been seen wearing her wedding band on a necklace, which has sparked rumors of a reunion. Nick has said that he still is in love with Jessica and he always will be. A spokesperson for Simpson told the press on July 1st, 2006, that the divorce has been finalized. However, the two sides have not come up with a financial agreement thusfar.

In January 2006 it was rumored that Lachey was dating Elizabeth Arnold, a former Miss Kentucky USA (2002). He has also been linked to Vanessa Minnillo, Miss Teen USA 1998, and Kristin Cavallari from the MTV “reality”-series Laguna Beach.

People magazine has reported that Nick has been dating stylist Kim Kardashian for the past month or so. Her father was an attorney, the late Robert Kardashian, who was one of O.J. Simpson’s Attorneys.

On June 13, 2006, photos of Nick and Vanessa Minnillo swimming and cozying up in Mexico surfaced on the Internet. Nick Lachey attended the 2006 MuchMusic Video Awards on June 18, 2006. He was photographed with Vanessa Minillo at the afterparty, and earlier during rehearsals. Vanessa reportedly confirmed their relationship to celebrity blogger, Perez Hilton (www.perezhilton.com) in early July 2006.[1] His divorce from Simpson was officially finalized on June 30, 2006, though the financial aspect of their divorce remained unresolved. [2]

Solo DiscographyAlbum information
SoulO

Released: November 11, 2003 (U.S.)
Chart Positions: #51 U.S.
RIAA Certification: Uncertified
U.S. Sales: 171,000
Singles:
2003: “Shut Up”
2003: “This I Swear”
What’s Left of Me

Released: May 9, 2006 (U.S.)
Chart Positions: #2 U.S., #55 AUS
RIAA Certification: Gold
U.S. Sales: 500,000 (units shipped)
Actual U.S. Sales: 441,982
Singles:
2006: “What’s Left of Me” — #6 US; #8 AUS
2006: “I Can’t Hate You Anymore” — TBA
2006: “Resolution” — TBA