Lionel Richie blasts stars who 'get too famous' for fans amid Chappell Roan backlash
Lionel Richie has said artists should treat their fans with respect, following the backlash Chappell Roan has faced for questionable treatment of her supporters.
The star, 76, recently sat down for an interview with his son-in-law Joel Madden, 47, on the VEEPS Artist Friendly podcast.
Speaking of the advice he gives people who get into the entertainment business, Lionel said, 'There's one thing you didn't calculate. I hope you like people.'
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Have some respect: Lionel Richie has spoken out about how stars should behave with their fans
'Because if you don't like people, here's how it's going to sound. You spend the first half of your career going, "Look at me, look at me, look at me, look at me, look at me." And then you finally get famous. "Don't look at me. Don't look at me. Don't look at me."'
'I'm going, "Okay now, the universe gave you what you were asking for. Now, what is it about people you don't like? Oh, you want to be famous and rich without the people?" It doesn't work like that. You have to be able to engage!' he continued.
Joel - who's married to the singer's daughter Nicole Richie, 44 - praised his father-in-law for his way with fans, saying, 'I see you acknowledge people.'
He then gave an example of seeing Lionel greet fans while at a restaurant. 'As you walk through, you see someone if they look at you, and instead of looking away, you acknowledge them. It's interesting that you do that,' he pointed out.
Lionel said that his children have asked why he speaks to people who haven't said anything to him.
'No, they didn't say anything. They waved. They looked at me, and instead of looking at them and turning my head and keep walking, instead of just waving and keeping my mouth closed, I go "Hi, how are you?"'
He said he values fans because he once felt invisible - and said ignoring people who look up to you is the worst thing you can do.
'There's an old expression I have. Sometimes you meet the person you idolize the most, and you're sorry you met them,' he continued.
'I made a promise to myself, I'm never going to be that. Never.'
Joel said that whenever he passed through an airport, a hotel, or a venue, people would tell him, 'Your father-in-law was here. He's the best.'
'When [people] get that one story, they tell it for the rest of their life,' he said.
'And that applies equally the other way too,' Lionel warned. 'Without social media, without anything we have of new technology. You know what travels fast? That guy was a freaking d**k.'
Fan fury: Chappell Roan has been slammed for calling fans 'weird' and 'creepy'
It's a stark difference to how Chappell, 28, has dealt with her global fame. The Pink Pony Club singer previously called out her fans for being 'weird' and 'creepy' in a video recorded in 2024.
She has faced huge backlash after footballer Jorginho claimed his step-daughter Ada, 11, was told off by Chappell's bodyguard on Saturday after she spotted the star in the same hotel in Brazil.
Jorginho's wife, Catherine Harding, claims the 'aggressive' security guard 'berated' her and her daughter after the child had walked past the singer's table.
Restaurant scene: Brazilian football star Jorginho claims Chappell's bodyguard berated his daughter
Chappell has insisted she was not aware of the incident, and a statement from her spokesperson has insisted the singer has 'zero tolerance' for such behavior towards fans.
The security guard, who has since been identified as Pascal Duvier, 53, has also denied acting on her behalf.
But following the episode, a source told the Daily Mail that some of those who work closely with the singer 'would like her to be nicer before it is too late.'
