Lionel Richie talks about 'surviving' Nicole

In receiving the Icon Award at yesterday’s TV Land Awards, singer Lionel Richie in a lighthearted acceptance speech joked that while he’s proud of his ability to endure as an entertainer, he’s even more proud of his ability to endure life with daughter Nicole, 26. Said Lionel,

Forget about surviving 40 years in the music business.  Just surviving 27 years of Nicole Richie has been a struggle-and-a-half, I want to tell you. I stand here as a survivor, I want you to know, for all the parents out there.

In addition to Nicole, Lionel — who turns 59 next week — is dad to another daughter, 9 ½-year-old Sofia, and son Myles Brockman, 14.

Source:  Boston.com; Photo by Jared Milgrim/Everett

Comments

P on June 9th, 2008

Didn’t the Richies adopt her when she was several years old? The 27 years thing doesn’t make much sense…

Grayson's Girl on June 9th, 2008

“P”, from what I understand Nicole lived with them from the time she was two, though she wasn’t formally adopted until a bit later.

In any case, I think it’s absolutely lovely that he doesn’t seem to remember that she’s adopted. He should feel like he’s been her dad her whole life because save for those first two years, he has been.

For all the teasing and ribbing he does, it seems he’s very proud of his daughter and the turnaround she has made. It took me a while to notice, but those two seem to have a very special bond that has only gotten stronger since Nicole herself became a mother.

Bren on June 9th, 2008

P: I think she was 3 years old.

I love Lionel he is so funny and he is crazy about Nicole I love how he seems to love her soo much!!

Destiny on June 9th, 2008

I thought that I heard that Nicole was the bio daughter of his friend. Not sure if that’s true or not, but if that is the case, he has probably known and been around Nicole all of her life. I think that we shouldn’t be so technical with these people’s statements.

Anyway, that sounds like something my dad would say about me and my sister (and if my dad was a celebrity he would say that on tv too…trust me). I think it’s cute. It’s obvious from other statements that I’ve read that Lionel loves and is proud of his daughter. I’m sure he meant it with love.lol

brooke on June 9th, 2008

He seems like a great dad, I have always thought nicole and him are such a cute father/daughter