Lionel Richie warned rising stars they must be willing to engage with fans, speaking after a backlash over an alleged incident involving singer Chappell Roan in São Paulo. Richie made the comments during a sit-down with his son-in-law, Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden, the singer said.
Richie said he struggles to ignore fans and vowed not to become the sort of star who shuns them. “I was invisible once,” he said, according to the conversation, and added, “I made a promise to myself – I’m never going to be that.” He told aspiring performers they should “like people,” saying fame does not permit shunning the public.
The remarks come after an incident last week in São Paulo, where professional soccer player Jorginho wrote on Instagram that his family experienced a “very upsetting situation” involving Chappell Roan before her Lollapalooza Brazil set. Jorginho said his 11-year-old daughter was reprimanded by security after walking past the singer’s table, and described the interaction as aggressive in Instagram stories.
Chappell Roan, 28, addressed the matter in Instagram stories and denied asking security to approach the family. She said she did not see a woman and child and that no one approached or bothered her. She apologized to the mother and child if they felt uncomfortable, calling the assumption that she would act otherwise “crazy.”
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said on X that Chappell Roan would no longer be welcome to perform in his city, according to a translated statement. Jorginho wrote that he hoped the episode would prompt reflection and said no one, especially a child, should have to endure that treatment.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
