Superstar singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and television personality Lionel Richie has revealed what he believes is the most important lesson he’s learned about success.
The “American Idol” judge, 76, has been in the entertainment business for over 50 years. Richie rose to fame as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of the Motown group Commodores in the early 1970s.
Per Discog, Richie has released 15 albums, 90 singles and EPs, and 37 compilations. That makes him one of the most successful, prolific, and longstanding pop stars on the planet.
In a recent discussion with People, the showbusiness icon revealed what he thinks the secret to his popularity and longevity is.
Lionel Richie Believes ‘Fear’ and ‘The Ability to Change’ Are Keys to Success
GettyIn a somewhat surprising revelation, Lionel Richie believes fear is one of the most important factors in a performer becoming successful.
“I think the message I wanted to impart on people is fear,” Richie told People. “Fear comes with the beginning of life, the middle of life and slowly towards the end of life.”
The “Dancing on the Ceiling” singer said it was something drilled into him by his father. The late Lionel Brockman Richie, a U.S. Army systems analyst, was a huge influence on Richie.
“My dad used to always say, ‘What’s the similarity between the hero and a coward? They were both scared to death. One stepped forward and one stepped back.'” Richie continued, “So my message here is I started out as a scared-to-death kid, and every day I’m still scared to death. But the point is, it’s a new day, it’s a new adventure, and anything that can scare you slightly, that’s the right direction.”
Richie also added that a willingness to evolve with the times is another key to success. He said, “I think the ability to change is the secret to this whole business. And adapt to change.” He went on, “What’s happening to us? What’s happening to Luke? Carrie, when she first started out, she says, ‘Oh my God, we didn’t have that problem when I first auditioned.’ And you’re right. I started out on a little simple thing called radio, and everybody goes, ‘Radio? What’s that?’ It really has morphed into this media mega… What’s happening now is they go, ‘Where did you get your experience from?’ ‘TikTok.’ TikTok, you kidding me?”
It’s the kind of insight any budding performer should listen to. Richie remains one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment, over half a century after he burst onto the scene.
Last year, he embarked on his “Say Hello To The Hits” UK and European tour. This year, per his official website, he has further shows booked across North America from May until August.
Richie Is Currently Back on ‘American Idol’
Lionel Richie is currently back on television as a returning judge on season 24 of “American Idol.” The new season premiered on ABC on Monday, January 26, at 8 p.m. ET, after years of airing on Sundays.
Richie appeared to be enjoying his role as much as ever, having appeared every year since debuting in 2018’s season 16. During the premiere, the likes of 29-year-old Keyla Richardson wowed Richie, the other judges, and the home audience alike.
The opening episode of season 24 also rocked the ratings, drawing the show’s biggest audience in four years, since season 20 got underway back in 2022.
According to Deadline, “American Idol’s” season 24 premiere drew a total of 5.9 million viewers. That’s a huge improvement from 4.49 million for season 23’s opener in March 2025.
You can catch Lionel Richie on the next episode of “American Idol,” which airs Monday, February 2, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
