A tabloid reports that Good Charlotte lead vocalist Joel Madden is allegedly having some “marriage problems” with wife, Nicole Richie.

According to reports from“In Touch,” a so-called “friend” cites that the couple is in trouble with Joel Madden filming the Australian version of “The Voice” and that their marriage is “strained.” Media outlet Gossip Cop has already disproved previous rumors of the couple’s marriage allegedly being “in crisis,” and this time, the singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador himself responded. In an exclusive statement to Gossip Cop, Joel Madden slams the ‘In Touch’ report  about him and Nicole Richie.

“I don’t usually comment on gossip, but seeing as this is something that is defaming my character and the sanctity of my marriage and family, I feel like I have to make something clear,” says the 33-year-old Good Charlotte frontman.

Joel Madden continues, “I understand the nature of gossip media, and I accept that. However much I do understand people’s need to be entertained by creating stories for blogs and tabloids, I take my responsibilities as a father, and as a husband very seriously.”

“My wife [Nicole Richie] and my children are the most important thing in the world to me,” he continued.

Joel Madden explains, “I try very hard to be the father that [children] Harlow and Sparrow need and deserve, and the husband I believe Nicole Richie deserves. I care way more about these things than I do about any job I could ever do, song I could ever write, or success I could ever find in what I think is the silliest business in the world.”

“I love music and will always work the hardest I can to provide for my family, but not at any cost. My family’s well being and privacy will always come first,” Joel Madden declares.

“I would never usually go out of my way to comment on these things, and I by no means plan on starting, I just felt the need to say this because if in fact my children do read all the stories that have and will be written by a media that does not care about sacred things like family and marriage, I hope they also find this statement,” Joel Madden conluded.