Lionel Richie explains his reasons for declining to be called “grandpa” following his daughter Sofia’s pregnancy announcement

Lionel Richie revealed that he does not want to be called ‘grandpa’ during a new interview with Entertainment Tonight.

The 74-year-old performer’s daughter Sofia revealed that she was pregnant earlier this month, and her father expressed that he was ‘so thrilled’ about the prospect of becoming a grandfather.

The hitmaker – who was recently spotted with his girlfriend Lisa Parigi – also stated that the social media personality, as well as her husband Elliot Grainge, were ‘just over the moon’ about the future start of their family.

Richie went on to state that he had a preferred term of endearment that he wanted his future grandchild to use. 

‘I’m Pop-pop. We don’t get the ‘grandpa,’ yeah, that’s a little deep. Pop-pop is where we’re going,’ he said.

Lionel Richie revealed that he does not want to be called ‘grandpa’ during a new interview with Entertainment Tonight; he is seen earlier this month

The television personality then spoke about how Sofia and her husband chose to make the news about her pregnancy known to the public. 

‘You know, there is no secret with those two! I keep saying, ‘Keep it a secret, OK?’ But yes, that’s what’s happening. I’m so happy,’ he said. 

Richie also recently spoke to E! News and told the media outlet that he had told his daughter and son-in-law that they ‘can’t call her Lionella.’

The All Night Long singer went on to state that he would let the expecting parents choose their kid’s name. 

‘I’m gonna leave that to the parents. I’m just gonna be that loving Pop-Pop that comes in the door and spoils the child,’ he said.

Richie then stated that he was enthusiastically looking forward to his new life as a grandfather. 

‘There’s a moment in time when your parents start laughing when you have a kid, I can’t wait to start laughing because it’s at that point now,’ he said.

Sofia, 25 and Grainge began dating in 2021, and they tied the knot during a star-studded wedding in April of last year.

The 74-year-old performer’s daughter Sofia revealed that she was pregnant earlier this month, and her father expressed that he was ‘so thrilled’ about the prospect of becoming a grandfather

Richie went on to state that he had a preferred term of endearment that he wanted his future grandchild to use; he is seen with Sofia and his daughter Nicole in 2018

The social media personality revealed her pregnancy to the public through an article that was published by Vogue last week; she is seen with Grainge in 2023

The social media personality revealed her pregnancy to the public through an article that was published by Vogue last week.

The model revealed that she would be having a baby girl during her interview with the magazine.

Sofia also expressed that she was constantly surprised by each stage of her pregnancy.

‘Every week brings new things, whether it’s hormonal shifts or expansion—there’s just so much our bodies go through, and it’s so interesting to experience it all,’ she said.