Nicole Richie is back to reality in a her new VH1 show, Candidly Nicole.

The former star of The Simple Life will bring her AOL online web series of the same name to eight 30-minute episodes for VH1.

The show was created by Richie, who is also an executive producer. For the first time, the designer, who runs her House of Harlow 1960 fashion line, is calling the shots in a way she never did during the five-year run of The Simple Life with her friend, Paris Hilton, or as a mentor on Fashion Star.

“This is the most in control and empowered I have ever felt in my entire career,” Richie told the summer TV critics’ meeting on Friday. “Doing a web series for me, was the best way to do this show. Doing it on the web was a very safe way to see if people are even interested. It turned out that people did (want to watch).”

Which hair style will @NicoleRichie rock in @CandidlyNicole Find out THURS JULY 17th + 10/9C 😉 pic.twitter.com/n5VfL0dRsV

— VH1 (@VH1) July 11, 2014

The show is a self-deprecating look at the outspoken reality star.

“I’m definitely the butt of the joke in this one, too, and that is a space I’m comfortable in,” she said. “It’s a tongue firmly planted in cheek, very fun type of show.”

Included in the project are her singer-father, Lionel Richie, and her 15-year-old stepsister, Sofia.

“My dad is on the show because he’s desperate and a celebrity and cannot stay away from the camera,” Richie joked.

On the other hand, her husband, Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden, and their children, will not appear.

Not everyone appreciates Richie’s humor and persona, but that’s just fine with her.

“I’m obviously a genius,” she said, joking about her image. “Some people think I’m funny and some people don’t. You can’t really please everybody.”

Candidly Nicole debuts July 17 on VH1.

Image via YouTube