Music legend Lionel Richie, 76, has a new reason to be dancing on the ceiling: he’s about to be a grandpa again — with his fourth grandchild on the way! The “American Idol” judge’s daughter, Sofia Richie Grainge, 27, has announced that she’s expecting a baby with her husband, Elliot Grainge, 31.
Sofia coyly announced the news in a social media post late on October 16, 2025, sharing a mirror selfie in which she lifted her shirt above her belly to reveal a baby bump. In the caption, she referenced the fact that earlier in the day, she also birthed her new fashion line into the world, writing, “On my way to launch these babies 👶🏼 + @srgatelier”
Lionel Richie Will Be a ‘Pop Pop’ for a 4th Time
Sofia didn’t provide any further details about her pregnancy, but this will be the second child for her and Elliot, who have been together since 2021 married in April 2023 at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Rock in Antibes, France, per Us Weekly.
In May 2024, the couple welcomed their first baby, daughter Eloise Samantha Grainge. Her little sister or brother will be Richie’s fourth grandchild. The icon’s eldest daughter, Nicole, 44, has two children with her husband, rocker Joel Madden, per People — daughter Harlow, 17, and son Sparrow, 16. Richie’s son Miles, 31, doesn’t have any children.
In January 2024, shortly after Sofia’s pregnancy went public, Richie told People, ““You know what? I am pumped up. I am now going to spoil yet another child in the world.”
“And I am not quite sure what the child will do to me,” he continued, and then joked, “but I’m hoping that the child gives the parents a bit of a run, because every parent wants to get even as to what you did to me.”
Lionel Richie is a ‘Pop Pop’ Who’s Head Over Heels for His Grandkids
None of Richie’s grandkids call him “grandpa. In early 2024, before Eloise was born, Richie told Entertainment Tonight, “I’m Pop-Pop. We don’t get the ‘grandpa.’ Yeah, that’s a little deep. Pop-Pop is where we’re going.”
It may not really even matter when she calls him anymore, though. By the time little Eloise was four months old, Richie told People that he had a “problem” with being so attached to her.
“You know, it’s like the thing where you can just blow on the stomach and the little smile comes on the face,” Richie said. “I can just stick her in my pocket and take her around town.”
Around the same time, Sofia confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that he was head over heels in love with her little one.
She told the outlet, “He was on a U.S. tour when I gave birth so he came home to meet Eloise. He’s in love and it’s so crazy. It’s so surreal to be the youngest kid and then have a kid and see your parents act with your kids. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Lionel Richie Joked That He Hopes His Grandkids Don’t Follow in His Musical Footsteps
GettyIn May, Richie told E! News backstage at “American Idol” that Eloise was “the apple of their eye, my eye for sure,” but also shared how much he loves watching grandkids Harlow and Sparrow grow up and seeing his family evolve.
“My older grandkids, you know, it’s just watching them grow up,” he told the outlet. “The only thing about them growing up is we grow older, so it’s kind of a weird segue, but I love this time. Miss my mom, of course. I miss my grandmother. But then the family keeps growing on the other end.”
As to whether he’d like to see his grandkids follow in his footsteps in the music industry, Richie’s told E! News, “I hope not! Don’t come over in this lane. The competition is fierce! But, if they want to do it, God bless ’em.”
Richie did not immediately comment on Sofia’s latest pregnancy announcement. He’s been on a whirlwind book tour promoting his new memoir, “Truly,” which hit the New York Times Bestsellers list this week.
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