Nicole's X-Rated Scandal

 Image by Splash News

Nicole Richie has been rocked by a nude photo scandal, with X-rated photographs of the socialite and her celebrity friends set to be leaked on to the Web.

According to sources, Nicole is scared stiff that the raunchy shots of her will be circulated after she lost her camera at nightspot Guy’s in LA recently.

Nicole was partying with pals – including Lindsay Lohan and ex-fiance DJ AM – at a karaoke night at the West Hollywood hot spot when she lost the camera containing the saucy shots.

“They were having fun and then suddenly she’s freaking out after she realises the camera’s gone,” says a source. Realizing what could happen if it landed in the wrong lap, Nicole panicked.

“Immediately, she’s demanding the bar staff shut off the karaoke, turn on the lights and get everyone to search for the camera,” says one source.

“It was pretty funny,” adds another. “Here are all these A-listers – and their bags are getting searched. Nicole was in the corner going totally nuts and losing it.”

Nicole is said to be terrified it will end up in the wrong hands and cause a scandal similar to the one that hit her former best friend and Simple Life co-star Paris Hilton.

However, Nicole is keen to avoid such publicity – especially as she won’t reveal who’s featured in the snaps with her. “She wouldn’t say if her co-star in them was Adam or a new guy,” says an insider.

Although pals have been trying to reassure the socialite she probably has no reason to worry, she can’t help thinking of the consequences and what her family – and the friends in the pictures – will think if the snaps are released.

“There’s the niggling worry that if the camera does get into the wrong hands and the photos turn up all over the place, Nicole will be in real trouble,” says a source.