Lionel Richie's Daughter Who He Saved from Poverty Is a Star & Was 'Embarrassed' to See Him Dancing

Fatherhood for Lionel Richie began when he fostered his now adopted daughter Nicole Richie from his friends. Nicole became a life-changing blessing to him and his ex-wife Brenda Harvey.

The iconic American soul singer Lionel Richie married his high school sweetheart Brenda Harvey in 1975. During their eighteen-year marriage, the couple did not have biological children of their own; however, they adopted Nicole Camille Escovedo, now known as Nicole Richie, when she was nine.

Richie and Harvey took Nicole in when she was three before having full custody. Nicole's father was a drummer who worked with Richie, and her mother was a backstage assistant. But Nicole's biological parents did not have the financial means to take care of her.

Nicole Richie and Lionel Richie and Brenda Harvey in New York 1985. | Source: Getty Images

Richie recalls seeing Nicole playing the tambourine backstage at a Prince concert. Since the singer knew the parents were struggling, he just asked to provide Nicole with a stable home while the parents were on tour.

After one year of having Nicole around, Richie and his wife could not get enough, and that is when they decided to adopt little Nicole, who Richie said was "a button" at the time. The "American Idol" judge said:

“You are going to make everyone in your family wish they actually had a chance to get you back,’ and that’s when I said, 'Let’s adopt her.'″

Lionel Richie, Nicole Richie and Brenda Harvey and the Carousel of Hope Ball 1990. | Source: Getty Images

Even though the marriage of Richie and Harvey did not last, the couple has always shared the joy of raising their daughter. Richie has also referred to Nicole entering his life as life-changing. The singer said: "Nicole was a godsend."

Since then, Richie and Harvey have made sure to be a consistent support system for their daughter, even when she battled addiction. Richie canceled his tour to be by Nicole's side and hold her hand through rehab.

NICOLE RICHIE BECOMES FAMOUS AND SUCCESSFUL

Nicole Richie and Lionel Richie in New York 2005 | Source: Getty Images

Success, happy life, and everything Richie wanted for his eldest daughter when he adopted her came to fruition. Nicole started her career as a tv personality on the reality show "The Simple Life" alongside her then-best friend Paris Hilton.

From there, Nicole grew as a tv personality and ventured into acting and fashion design. The actress made her debut in the fan-favorite sitcom, "The Great News" and has occupied the judge's sit on reality shows "Fashion Runway" and "Make the Cut."

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden with their children in Hollywood 2007. | Source: Getty Images

Nicole's personal life is also flourishing; the reality show star married Joe Madden, the rock singer from Good Charlotte, in 2010. Before tying the knot, the couple welcomed their first child Harlow in 2008 and their second one, Sparrow, in 2009.

Nicole and Madden are happily married and were recently spotted attending their son Harlow's baseball game. Nicole arrived fashionably comfortable in a simple outfit with denim shorts, a white tee, and sneakers.

ALL ABOUT LIONEL RICHIE’S FOUMOUS KIDS

Lionel Richie with his children Miles, Sofia and Nicole and wife Diane Alexandra in Hollywood 2003. | Source Getty Images

In 1988, while Richie was still married to Harvey, he was found with fashion designer and dancer Diane Alexandra. Eventually, Harvey and Richie divorced in 1993.

The "American Idol" judge confessed that his daughter Nicole was the one that kept him grounded during the tough time of his divorce.

Three years after his separation from Harvey, Richie and Alexandra married in 1993. The couple divorced in 2004, after eight years of being together

Nicole, Sofia, Miles, and Lionel Richie in Hollywood 2018. | Source: Getty Images

Alexandra and Richie had two children during their marriage, Miles Brockman, born in 1994, and Sofia in 1998. Both of Richie's children have grown up to be successful supermodels. Miles walked his first high fashion runway in 2019 at Phillip Plein's New York fashion week show.

According to Nicole, Richie's dancing is not as impressive as his vocals.

Sofia is also making strides; the supermodel has worked with major brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Adidas. She has also built a substantial social media presence with over seven million Instagram followers.

LIONEL RICHIE IS IN HIS 70S AND PROUDLY EMBARRASSING HIS KIDS

Lionel, Sofia and Nicole Richie in Las Vegas 2012. | Source: Getty Images

The American hit maker, Richie, is 73 and his kids are still his best friends. Richie has grown to lean more on his three kids as he ages and explores different projects.

The American Idol judge launched the "Hello by Lionel Richie" fragrance in 2020. While the star was working on the scents, he called on his children to give him advice.

Richie confessed that his children were brutally honest. Despite how much of a secret Richie wanted to keep the details of the fragrance, his family's approval was most important to him.

Lionel Richie and Nicole Richie in Las Vegas. | Source: Getty Images

Nicole, who is Richie's eldest daughter, had the opportunity to play the piano with his father on stage in 2012. As Richie mentioned, his kids are his biggest supporters and his critics.

After the performance, Nicole was honored to have shared the moment with her father on stage, but she was not too pleased with his dance moves. The actress said seeing her father dance makes her uncomfortable. According to Nicole, Richie's dancing is not as impressive as his vocals. The reality tv star said:

"I can't really watch my dad dance. It's just very uncomfortable for me. I'm just not really feeling it. So, I was more into the ballads 'cause watching my dad dance--I just get so embarrassed."

Lionel Richie performing in Atlantic City 2022. | Source: Getty Images

In an amusing interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Richie lamented about his daughter Sofia being late to one of his honorary ceremonies. According to the singer, Sofia arrived just before he was called on stage; but all that mattered was for his family to be there.

Richie might be a musical legend to most but to his kids, he is "just dad," so the star told Kimmel that his new mission is to embarrass his kids as much as possible. He said: “My job is to embarrass them as much as I can.”

Besides the harsh critics of his dancing, the father of three fashion enthusiasts said, his children are also vocal about how he dresses, which puts a damper on his confidence. Either way, Richie is most happy when he spends his time with his children and grandchildren.

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