Lionel Richie Reflects on Life and Career in New Memoir
Back in the late ’80s, Lionel Richie found himself at the pinnacle of his career. With several massive hits, including the duet “Endless Love” and the blockbuster album “Can’t Slow Down,” he was a major force in the music world.
However, his personal life was a bit unstable—despite being separated from his wife, Brenda Harvey, not many were aware of it. In June 1988, while visiting his girlfriend, Diane Alexander, Harvey unexpectedly showed up, leading to what Richie described as “the worst scream of my life.” He recounts this chaos in his new memoir, “The True.”
Richie had assumed that Harvey would continue to move forward, believing that leaving would be the best option. She did leave but returned to confront him, resulting in a call to the police. It’s all a bit hazy, but emotions were certainly running high at the time.
On top of the marital struggles, Richie faced a medical crisis. He was informed that he needed a risky throat surgery, raising concerns that he might never sing again. His father was in poor health as well, leading him to take a year off to regroup.
Reflecting on that turbulent time, Richie shares that he ended up grappling with a nervous breakdown and bouts of depression. Having dealt with ADHD for a long time, he began to get insights from his therapist about how it affected his ability to slow down.
During this period, Richie reached out to several mentors, seeking guidance. He found comfort in words from the likes of Sidney Poitier and Gregory Peck, who pointed out that his situation wasn’t unique, urging him to maintain perspective amidst the personal upheaval.
Richie’s memoir also touches on his upbringing at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama during the Jim Crow era. He recalls a disturbing incident involving a racist attack on his father, which left a turbulent mark on his young life.
In his personal matters, Richie eventually divorced Harvey and married Alexander, and together they welcomed two children, Sofia and Miles. He adopted Nicole, who is now 44, after realizing the impact she had on his life when he saw her dancing at a Prince concert.
Yet, Richie’s marriage to Alexander didn’t last either; they divorced in 2004. He later found love again in 2014 when he met Lisa Parigi while interviewing potential tutors for his kids. Their connection felt instant, but they remain happily unmarried.
The singer’s relationship with Michael Jackson often comes up in discussions, too. They met when Richie was the opening act for the Jackson 5, and he reflects on Jackson’s untimely death as a deeply painful experience, attributing it to a complicated mix of success and personal struggles.
Now, Richie is thriving. He’s touring, serving as a judge on “American Idol” since 2018, and indulging in his passion for gardening, which has earned him the nickname “Lionel Thesaurus” from his kids. He often helps maintain their yard as well.
As he closes his memoir, Richie expresses pride in his children and grandchildren, acknowledging the challenges of life while emphasizing what he’s learned along the way.
