Lionel Richie shares that he nearly pursued a career as a priest before turning to music.

Lionel Richie Reflects on His Path from Priesthood to Music

Lionel Richie has shared that he was quite close to becoming an Anglican priest before the enthusiastic calls from fans pushed him towards a musical career. In his upcoming memoir, “Truly,” the 76-year-old singer recalls his youth as a “shy boy” preparing for the priesthood and contemplating a life in the clergy.

During an appearance on “Today is Jenna & Friends,” Richie spoke about a significant moment that shaped his journey. “I really didn’t know what to do with my life,” he confessed. “I was incredibly shy, so I thought perhaps the priesthood was the right path for me.”

“But then something changed,” he continued. “In my sophomore year, I joined the Commodores, and out of nowhere, a woman in the audience shouted, ‘Sing it, baby!'” This encouragement made him rethink his commitment to the church.

Richie recalled calling the priests to explain his change of heart. “I told them, ‘I don’t think college is for me. I have to be honest with you,'” he said, reflecting on this pivotal decision.

“Suddenly, I felt support from the other side,” he said, wondering how to move forward from that point. “I didn’t realize I was a singer or a writer until then. I owe a lot to my time with the Commodores,” he added.

He also admitted to experiencing panic while performing. “Imagine having a panic attack on stage. It was terrifying,” he said, noting his strong desire to succeed with the band.

In his memoir, Richie mentions that he informed the priests of his new direction. “They offered me supportive advice and reassured me that if I ever needed to return, the door would always be open,” he wrote. He also expressed concerns about the fleeting nature of a music career, sometimes thinking about going back to his earlier plans.