Lionel Richie is proud of Nicole

Lionel Richie has insisted that he is proud of the way his daughter Nicole has dealt with her recent personal problems.

The pregnant Simple Life star was sentenced to four days in jail last month, after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and to a previous DUI conviction. She must report to jail by September 28, as well as pay a $2,048 fine and complete a 21-day alcohol education course.

In an interview this week, Richie insisted that she had learned her lesson and would never put lives in danger again.

"She has not blamed others for her problems and is growing up very quickly, albeit in the heat of the media spotlight," soul star Lionel told Usmagazine.com.

"My father taught me to stand straight and take whatever punishment or hardships were the result of my own actions, and I am proud that I was able to hand that philosophy down to my daughter."