Photos: Good Charlotte, Nicole Richie, The Situation party at Chateau

By Robin Leach

Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012 | 2:18 a.m.

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, with a new, stunning brunette girlfriend on his arm, and rockers Good Charlotte kicked off New Year’s Eve weekend Friday night at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at the Paris with reality TV star fashionista Nicole Richie, NBA legend “Dr. J” Julius Erving and singer Brandy.

“My New Year’s resolution is to take it easy and relax more,” said the “Jersey Shore” hunk, but that resolution was quickly placed on hold as he went all-out welcoming 2012. The MTV star yelled “Happy New Year” to fans and even threw his jewelry into the crowd while joined arm-in-arm and hand-in-hand with a new love in his life who stayed close by his side throughout the night.

Mike’s mom Linda, his sister Melissa and his two brothers Marc and Frank Jr. partied late into the night enjoying vodka cocktails and dancing in a VIP booth.

Good Charlotte performed with the backdrop of the Bellagio Fountains and the Strip on the rooftop nightclub of Chateau Gardens. Brothers Joel and Benji Madden and their band performed under the Eiffel Tower of the Paris as they sang my favorite hit of theirs, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” plus “Dance Floor Anthem.”

Nicole, Joel’s beautiful wife, watched and cheered for her man throughout the show. Dr. J and Brandy were joined by their family and friends in an oversized VIP booth. Thanks to David Becker of WireImage for his photo gallery.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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