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Lionel Richie makes surprise revelation about daughter Sofia's engagement

The musician is a father-of-three

lionel richie sofia engagement
Ahad Sanwari
Ahad Sanwari - New York
Senior WriterNew York
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Lionel Richie shared his thoughts on his daughter Sofia Richie's engagement to music executive Elliot Grainge, and he couldn't be more ecstatic.

MORE: Sofia Richie's $300k engagement ring is mighty like father Lionel Richie's

Speaking to Access Hollywood at an American Idol red carpet, the musician initially joked: "It was a slippery slope there for a moment, as with all families."

He then added: "I love Elliot, I've known him since he was 12, so it was one of those things where I don't have to go back and check out the kid, I know who he is. 

"They're so happy. As a papa, as a dad, that's my little girl. She's in good hands."

MORE: Lionel Richie has hilarious reaction to Luke Bryan's emotional moment on American Idol

Lionel then shared what it was like when Elliot first came to him to seek his blessing to propose, revealing: "He was a nervous wreck, poor guy. 

"I thought he was going to pass out. But somehow he survived it! I was going to rib him a little bit but I was scared he'd faint. It was wonderful. They're deeply in love, all I can really say is that's what you want as a dad."

lionel kids© Photo: Instagram

Lionel is father to Sofia, Nicole, and Miles

He further shared his thoughts on what made Elliot different, considering he had ties to the music business and had grown up seeing Lionel work and was a friend of the family for years.

After spending more than a year together, the 23-year-old and her boyfriend announced their engagement on social media last week.

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"Forever isn’t long enough @elliot,” the model captioned a series of pictures she shared with fans on Wednesday, revealing Elliot had dropped to one knee at the Four Seasons Hualalai.

Friends and family were quick to share the love, with Sofia's sister Nicole sharing a picture on her Stories of the two together and joking: "Can’t wait to find ways to make this about me."

The model was first linked with the London-bred executive, the son of Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge, in January 2021.

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