Andy DehnartNBC’s forthcoming fashion reality competition isn’t getting any more promising with the latest casting announcement: Nicole Richie will be a mentor on the show, joining previously announced mentor Jessica Simpson. Both starred in reality shows in 2003–The Simple Life and Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica respectively–but for some reason NBC thinks they will now draw viewers. Also joining the show as a mentor is menswear designer John Varvatos; Elle Macpherson is hosting.
In a press release, NBC reality executive Paul Telegdy calls Nicole an “international style icon and creative director,” and former NBC chair Ben Silverman, who’s executive producer of the new show, said, “Jessica, Nicole, John and Elle make the most exciting team we have ever worked with on a reality television show and we are thrilled to feature such an extraordinary group of mentors and designers.”