Nicole Richie has reportedly hired the services of a shaman to help rid her of the bad luck curse she fears hangs over her. The socialite has told friends she's convinced all her 2006 troubles, which culminated with a pre-Christmas driving under the influence arrest, came about after someone in her social circle "hexed" her.

Determined to break the purported spell, Richie had a witch doctor perform a $1,000 spiritual cleansing of her West Hollywood apartment on December 15, according to Life & Style magazine. An insider tells the publication a shaman chanted, danced and burned sage in every room of the star's home for two hours.

The pal says, "She's very superstitious and believes in this stuff. It's a very personal thing for Nicole. Nicole believes in curses but would never put one on anyone, not even her worst enemy."

Richie's run of bad luck in 2006 includes her split from fiancé Adam 'DJ AM' Goldstein, a rumored eating disorder that landed her in a treatment center desperate to gain weight, and the horror of learning her beloved cat had broken its leg after plunging 10 floors from the balcony of her apartment.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)