Guide Note: Musician, actor and reality star Nick Lachey gained stardom with his Grammy nominated boy bad 98 Degrees in 1997.
In early April 2008, Lachey made news after attending an alcohol filled party, with girls that were allegedly under the legal drinking age, with friend football star Matt Leinart.
Lachey grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became a huge sports fan, specifically supporting the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals. He initially wanted to go to school for sports medicine, but with his brother, also a member of 98 Degrees, they attended the School for Creative and Performing Arts near Cincinnati, where the brothers refined their musical abilities. After high school Lachey got to follow his dream and enrolled at the University of Miami, Ohio for sports medicine.
While attending school Lachey was contacted by his brother and two friends, and they formed 98 Degrees. 98 Degrees released their self-titled first album in 1997, which reached #12 on the charts. The following year the group released their second album, with the breakout hit "Because of You", which reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1999, Lachey met fellow singer Jessica Simpson and the couple dated on and off before marrying in 2002. Shortly after their wedding they began filming the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, which ran for four seasons from 2003 to 2005. In 2003 Lachey released his first solo album, SoulO, which only had a meager response, reaching #51 on the Billboard charts. Lachey and Simpson divorced in 2006, which was heavily publicized by the media. Following the divorce, Lachey released another solo album, What's Left of Me, which Lachey stated was written after his breakup with Simpson, which was his motovation for several of the songs.
Lachey has since been romantically linked with former MTV personality Vanessa Minnillo and is rumored to be releasing his third solo album sometime in 2008.
Fast Facts:
- Full name: Nicholas Scott Lachey
- Born: November 9, 1973
- Birthplace: Harlan, KY
- Rose to fame with pop group 98 Degrees
- Starred in Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica on MTV
- Currently Dating: Vanessa Minnillo
- Currently working on third solo album for Jive Records
- Studied sports medicine at Miami University (Ohio)
- Huge fan and supporter of the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals
- Appeared as a guest commentator on ESPN's "College GameDay"
- Brother Drew won the 2nd season of Dancing with the Stars
