Many tabloids reported last week that Nicole Richie was pregnant, publishing new photos of her.

But the star shot down the rumors on Friday.

"Contrary to recent speculation, I am not pregnant," she says in a statement. "This irresponsible reporting continues to feed an atmosphere of self-doubt and insecurity. To publicly point out a change in anyone's body is mean-spirited and cruel. People's bodies change and change again. This is not newsworthy and is a waste of valuable media space that should be used for more important issues."

Richie is already the mom of two, Harlow, 3 and 1 1/2-year-old son Sparrow.