Lionel Richie has offered some sage advice on the importance of respecting fans, especially in light of the recent criticism faced by Chappell Roan over her treatment of supporters. Richie underscores the necessity for artists to genuinely enjoy interacting with their audience.
The Say You, Say Me hitmaker, 76, recently sat down for an interview with his son-in-law Joel Madden, 47, on the VEEPS Artist Friendly podcast.
“There’s one crucial element you might not have considered,” Richie explained about the entertainment business. “You need to like people. If you don’t, your career will sound something like this: you spend the early years shouting, ‘Look at me!’ and when you finally achieve fame, it turns into, ‘Don’t look at me.’”
Richie continued, “The universe has granted you the attention you sought. So, what is it about people you don’t like? You can’t achieve fame and wealth without their support. Engaging with fans is essential!”
Joel Madden, who is married to Richie’s daughter, Nicole Richie, commended his father-in-law for his exemplary way of connecting with fans. Madden observed, “I notice how you acknowledge people, even in everyday situations.”
Madden shared an anecdote illustrating Richie’s approachable nature. “When we’re out at a restaurant, and someone makes eye contact with you, rather than looking away, you acknowledge them. It’s fascinating to see that level of engagement,” he remarked.
Lionel Richie, 76, shared why artists should treat their fans with respect during an interview with his son-in-law Joel Madden, 47, on the VEEPS Artist Friendly podcast
His advice came following the backlash Chappell Roan, 28, has faced for questionable treatment of her supporters; Roan pictured in 2025
He then gave an example of seeing Richie greet people even when he’s 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.
Richie explained how even his kids have questioned 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?”‘
Madden further pressed Richie on why he is so attuned to his fans.
‘Well, you know what it is. I was invisible once. The worst thing in life is to, and I was that kid… there’s a person who… they’re scared to death of you. And they want to say something to you. And you can see it on their face. They want to say something. And for me to ignore them, would be the worst.’
‘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.’
Richie then talked about the importance of acknowledging everyone in his path, whether it’s a security guard or a janitor.
‘Do you walk past them and ignore them?’ he asked, to which Madden said, ‘No. It’s like walking in the venue. You say hi to every person working there.’
Richie said the workers he meets have been ‘conditioned’ to think that he will not greet them because of the previous celebrities they’ve met. He explained that not only does he greet them, but he also offers to take photos with them.
Speaking about his advice to those in entertainment, Richie said: ‘I hope you like people. You want to be famous and rich without the people? It doesn’t work like that’
‘I always relate it to planting seeds. When you plant f**k you seeds, you get f**k you flowers. So, if you plant a career of f**k you flowers, it’s coming back to haunt you,’ he said
He continued: ‘Sometimes you meet the person you idolize the most, and you’re sorry you met them. I made a promise to myself, I’m never going to be that. Never’
Madden – who’s married to the singer’s daughter Nicole Richie, 44 – praised his father-in-law for his interactions with fans, saying, ‘I see you acknowledge people’
Madden then acknowledged that dealing with fans is something he learned over time, as he previously felt irritated if people stared at him for too long.
The Good Charlotte singer said he now understands that ‘they’re actually just saying hi, but they’re too shy to say hi.’
Madden commended Richie on his incredible reputation, saying that whenever he goes through an airport, a hotel, or a venue, people 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,’ Richie warned. ‘Without social media, without anything we have of new technology. You know what travels fast? That guy was a freaking d**k.’
‘I always relate it to planting seeds. When you plant f**k you seeds, you get f**k you flowers. Nothing grows. So, if you plant a career of f**k you flowers, it’s coming back to haunt you.’
He advised that artists should keep ‘planting goodwill. It takes you five seconds less to say “Hey, thanks man” or “How you doing?” That’s it.’
Madden said that ‘the joy’ Richie gives to people is part of him, and Richie agreed that his interactions are ‘not contrived.’
It’s a stark difference to how Roan, 28, has dealt with her global fame. The Pink Pony Club singer called out her fans for being ‘weird’ and ‘creepy’ in a video recorded in 2024.
Roan has faced huge backlash after footballer Jorginho claimed his step-daughter Ada, 11, was threatened by Roan’s bodyguard on Saturday after she spotted the star in the same hotel in Brazil.
Jorginho’s wife, Catherine Harding, who shares Ada with her ex partner Jude Law, claims the ‘aggressive’ security guard ‘berated’ her and her daughter after the child had walked past Roan’s table.
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 toward fans.
It’s a stark difference to how Roan has dealt with her global fame. The singer – who has recently faced backlash over an incident in Brazil with a young fan – has called out her fans for being ‘weird’ and ‘creepy’ in a 2024 video; She is pictured in February
The security guard, who has since been identified as Pascal Duvier, 53, has also denied acting on her behalf.
But following the incident, 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.’
In an old video, Roan vented her frustration at some of her fans’ behavior when they have spotted her in person.
Roan said she was struggling with aspects of being in the spotlight, such as people coming up to her and asking for photos or yelling at her from their cars.
Speaking to the camera, she said: ‘If you saw a random woman on the street, would you yell at her from the car window? Would you harass her in public?
‘Would you go up to a random lady and say, “can I get a photo with you?” Would you be offended if she says no to your time because she has her own time? Would you stalk her family? Would you follow her around?’
Roan said that just because being a celebrity means people will sometimes display ‘crazy behavior’ towards you, doesn’t make it ‘OK’.
She said: ‘I’m a random b***h, you’re a random b***h. Just think about that for a second. I don’t care that this crazy type of behavior comes along with the job, the career that I’ve chosen. That doesn’t make it OK. That doesn’t make it normal.’
