After her high-profile meltdown earlier this month, Mischa Barton has been released from the hospital where she was under involuntary psychiatric evaluation, and RadarOnline.com reports that the Beautiful Life actress is doing surprisingly well, crediting her rapid turnaround to the intervention of Nicole Richie. Yes, really.

A source close to both girls told RadarOnline.com that Richie has been advising Barton on how to turn her life around – and, admittedly, Richie probably knows what she's talking about. A former wild party girl herself (with a 2006 DUI conviction under her belt), the 27-year-old daughter of Lionel Richie has cleaned up, settled down and is now expecting baby No. 2 with boyfriend Joel Madden. Barton would be lucky for that kind of stability.

"Mischa is doing great -- thanks to Nicole," RadarOnline.com's source said. "She stepped in and talked to her about making changes in her life... basically doing a 360."

Um... A "360"? Listen, we're not the best at math, either, but even we know that doing a 360 turns you in a full circle and brings you right back where you started. Which, given that this is Mischa Barton we're talking about, might actually be kind of accurate.

But for now, the source claims Barton is on the right path.

"Mischa isn't even smoking anymore, thanks to Nicole," said the insider. "Nicole told Mischa that she has to straighten up because she has a lot riding on this new show [Beautiful Life]."

Barton's life rehab depends on a cheesy CW drama produced by Ashton Kutcher? Yeesh, things really have gone downhill for her.

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