“American Idol” judge Lionel Richie is embracing life as a proud grandpa, or as he prefers it, “Pop Pop,” for the fourth time. His daughter, Sofia Richie Grainge, and her husband, Elliot Grainge, welcomed their second child, a son named Henry, in March. The couple is also parents to a daughter named Eloise, born in May 2024.
In a recent interview, the Idol judge shared what life was like being a “Pop Pop” and why his daughter is prying him away from her kids.
Lionel Richie Shares Insight Into Being a Grandfather to Sofia Richie’s Kids
Lionel Richie gave a sweet update about life as a grandfather after his daughter, Sofia Richie Grainge, and her husband, Elliot Grainge, recently welcomed their son, Henry, into the world.
Speaking to E! News during an event in New York City on April 29, the “American Idol” judge shared, “I’m so happy about that. Pop pop is here.”
But as Richie is embracing his Pop Pop era, he teased that his daughter may need to get him away from her children because he won’t stop doting on them, sharing that the parents “wanna get me away from the baby.”
In an Instagram post on March 25, Sofia shared the joyous news that she had welcomed her son. The model shared a photo of her newborn dressed in a blue onesie with her daughter sitting by his side. “Henry Cecil Grainge 💙 03/18/26 Loves of my life,” she captioned the image.
Henry now joins his big sister, Eloise, born in May 2024.
But being a Pop Pop doesn’t stop with the little ones. Richie also spends plenty of quality time with his older grandkids from daughter Nicole Richie and her husband, Joel Madden, who share Kate, 18, and Sparrow, 16.
Richie Is Getting Used to ‘the Baby Having a Baby’
GettyRichie is still adjusting to the idea that his daughter, Sofia, is now a mom of two. Speaking to People in April, he joked, “Childbirth is a wonderful thing, but that’s the baby having a baby. So, I’m still trying to get used to that,” Lionel said, adding, “But the beautiful part about it, she’s doing great. And loving ‘mamahood.'”
Life looks a lot different for Sofia, too. The model welcomed her daughter, Eloise, when she was just 25, and has since embraced a new chapter of motherhood. In her first interview as a mom with The Wall Street Journal, Sofia opened up about the shift, sharing how her priorities have changed and how she puts her daughter first.
“Now as a mom, I think I’ll create some more boundaries, whether it’s from traveling all the time, my first priority is my child,” she said. “If I’ve gotta go to fashion week, then she’s going to pack her bags and come with me. If she can’t, then I’m not going to be able to make it,” Sofia added.
Speaking about her dad meeting Eloise for the first time, she gushed, “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.”
