Nicole Richie’s daughter, Harlow Madden, is marking her 18th birthday with a striking transformation and a new moniker.

The young woman, originally a brunette, has opted for a bold jet-black hair color and is now choosing to go by her middle name, Kate.

Although it’s uncertain how long Kate—officially named Harlow Winter Kate Madden—has been using her middle name, she has been flaunting her striking new hairstyle for several months.

This change came into the limelight when Richie celebrated her daughter’s milestone birthday on Instagram, sharing a photo that showcased the teenager’s updated look.

In the picture, Kate, who previously graced the red carpet with golden-brown locks, now sports sleek, jet-black hair flowing elegantly past her shoulders.

The socialite tagged her daughter’s Instagram account, @katemaddenn. 

Nicole Richie’s daughter Harlow is now going by her middle name and embracing a new hair color

Kate – pictured far L – is the daughter of Nicole and rocker Joel Madden; pictured with her brother Sparrow and mom in 2024

‘My favorite person in the world is now 18. Happy birthday @katemaddennn. I (heart emoji) you,’ Nicole wrote in the photo. 

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Nicole Richie for further comment but has yet to hear back. 

Both Richie and her husband Joel Madden also jointly shared a sweet photo carousel of their birthday girl over the years. ’18 years of you,’ the post was captioned. 

The former reality show star, 44, shares Kate and son Sparrow, 16, with Madden, 46.

In 2024, Richie said raising her kids as teenagers was her ‘favorite stage’ of parenting so far.

She said on the Today Show: ‘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.’

Richie previously said raising her kids as teenagers has been her favorite part of parenting thus far – pictured with Madden in November 2025

The birthday girl has been rocking the jet black hair color for at least a few months – and bore a striking resemblance to her socialite mom

Nicole and Joel tied the knot on December 11, 2010. They welcomed Kate two years prior, on January 11, 2008. Meanwhile Sparrow was born on September 9, 2009.

The teens made their red carpet debut at the premiere of their mother’s film Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead in 2024.

Discussing her teens’ appearance at the premiere of her film, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, she said on Today: ‘Everyone came, the whole fam came. It was very sweet,

‘They are teens, so they’re pretty chill about it, but they were happy to be there, and they did tell me I did a good job [in the movie]. So I was like, ‘I will take that. Thank you very much.”

Richie and her husband jointly shared a carousel of photos of their daughter in honor of her birthday

The heartwarming photos showed their teenager over the years 

Richie, who had a reputation as a party girl during the noughties, previously said she intended on being ‘transparent’ with her children about her past – pictured on The Simple Life with Paris Hilton in 2003 

Richie is pictured with father Lionel Richie, Madden, his twin brother Benji, his wife Cameron Diaz and the rockers’ brother Josh in 2016

Richie, who had a reputation as a party girl during the noughties, previously said she intended on being ‘transparent’ with her children about her past. 

‘They know everything I did. I knew before I had them that I was going to have to be transparent with them about who I was,’ she told Glamour.  ‘And I’ve actually found freedom in that. 

‘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 previously revealed her teenage children refused to watch reruns and clips of her 2003 hit reality show The Simple Life with Paris Hilton.

The actress told Variety in 2024 that her kids are not fans of her earlier TV work as it interferes with how they see her as a parent.

‘The Simple Life is apparently having a big moment on TikTok, so they do tell me that they watch clips on TikTok,’ the actress said of her kids.

‘Their friends watch it. I get a lot of eye rolls in my house all the time. It’s right on brand.

Richi esaid that although she has spent her life in the entertainment industry, she is unsure if it is a path her own two kids will pursue.