Lionel Richie Shares Struggles Of Nicole Richie & Drew Barrymore's 'Wilder Years'

Benjamin Imiewanlan
Lionel Richie attends the 2022 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater
Getty | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

American singer-songwriter Lionel Richie recounts how he suffered from his daughter Nicole Richie and Drew Barrymore's notorious younger days on The Drew Barrymore Show.

Ham Sandwich

Lionel Richie describing Drew Barrymore and Nicole Richie as "one bug ham sandwich"
youtube | The Drew Barrymore Show

73-year-old music star, Lionel Richie, reflected on the challenges he faced raising his eldest daughter while she partied with her friends. Speaking on The Drew Barrymore Show, he referred to the combination of Nicole Richie and Drew Barrymore as "one big ham sandwich."

The Summer Tour

Drew Barrymore saying she wasn't to go for Lionel Richie's tour
youtube | The Drew Barrymore Show

Starting the conversation of Barrymore and Nicole's notorious parting days, the show's host pleaded with Lionel Richie that she would love to come for his upcoming summer tour.

Girl Wolf Pack

Honoree Drew Barrymore (L) and Baby2Baby board member Nicole Richie attend the second annual Baby2Baby Gala, honoring Drew Barrymore, at Book Bindery
Getty | Stefanie Keenan

The 48-year-old actress and show host responded to Lionel Richie's claims of her and Nicole having a notorious childhood by saying she and the Simple Life star were part of a little wolf pack.

Really Good Moms

I'm such a good mom
Giphy | ABC Network

Barrymore adds that she and Nicole have matured from their youthful days. She said, "Nicole and I have grown up in and around; we've known each other for years. We're dear friends, we're a part of this little girl wolf pack, and I think Nicole and I have figured out how to have so much fun and then, like pull it together and be really good moms."

Shocked Richie

Lionel Richie point his right index finger on The Drew Barrymore Show
youtube | The Drew Barrymore Show

The Hello singer was shocked at how his daughter and Barrymore transformed from their "disaster" characteristics into good moms. He said, "I don't even know how that happened. You know, as parents, you go, 'This is gonna be a disaster.'"

The Paris Reference

Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton during 2004 Park City
Getty | Donato Sardella

Continuing his statement about their shocking transformation, Richie mentions that if he could survive his daughter and Paris Hilton's crazy days, he could live through anything. "Nicole and Paris, let's talk about it when they started out, I mean, if I lived through that, I can live through anything!"

New Systems

Drew Barrymore winking her left eye
Giphy | The Drew Barrymore Show

Responding to Richie's comment, Barrymore says, "I think also like we got it all out of our systems," — speaking on how they have all grown up.

Richie's Side Of The Story

Lionel Richie performs onstage during MusiCares Persons of the Year Honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson at Los Angeles Convention Center
Getty | Kevin Mazur

Although Barrymore insisted they had grown past those years of shenanigans, Richie jokingly wanted to share his side of the story on their childhood days. "So let me give you my side of the story; you all almost killed me. I'm so glad you got it out of your system. I almost cut my system off. I almost lost consciousness."

The Trouble Calls

Drew Barrymore kneeling in front of Lionel Richie
youtube | The Drew Barrymore Show

The Stuck on You singer recounts how he sometimes would get calls from county sheriffs about the misdemeanor of his daughter and Barrymore. He said, "Some nights I would get a phone call, 'Uh Mr. Richie, this is the sheriff of so and so county. We have Nicole here,' and I'm thinking to myself, 'What did she do now?'"

He continued by saying the sheriff will respond with"  'Well, she went down the wrong way of the freeway,' and I'm thinking to myself, 'This is not possible, right?'"

Meditation And Medication

Patrick from "SpongeBob Square Pants" meditating
Giphy

The "girl wolf pack" must have really been tough for Richie as he joked about taking medications for all the stress they caused. He added, "Someone said to me, 'How did you make it through all of this?' and I said, 'I was somewhere between meditation and medication.'"

Biddy Committee

The "biddy committee," as Richie referred to Barrymore, Nicole, and Paris's relationship, acknowledged that the three have turned out great and good mothers. "It turned out perfectly, I don't know."

Barrymore Agrees

Drew Barrymore smiling
Flickr | earnestsandovalguadalupedavis

Concurring with Richie's statement of the three mothers turning out perfectly, Barrymore quickly quipped, "We turned out okay."

Parental Payback

Little girl giving the "I got my eye on you" sign
Giphy

Now that the little girl wolf pack is all grown, Lionel Richie joked about how he hopes for some parental payback for all the girls put him through.

His Parents Loved It

Lionel Richie clapping
Giphy | CMA Awards

He also admits that he was a pain to his parents as well. While laughing at the situation, Richie adds that they [his parents] loved it when Nicole gave him a tough time while growing up.

Same Difference

Lionel Richie performs during the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage festival at Fair Grounds Race Course
Getty | Tim Mosenfelder

Richie spoke about how Nicole's behavior was worse than what he did to his parents. He said, "They're doing the same thing I did to my folks, only worse because they're doing it in Beverly Hills. And the problem is — it would never be allowed in Alabama."

Freedom And Justice

Lionel Richie and fashion designer Nicole Richie attend House of Harlow
Getty | Donato Sardella

Adding to his statement, he talks about how he was helpless to do anything about Nicole's behavior. "In Beverly Hills, it's, 'Oh, it's OK, Lionel. They're supposed to be able to have some fun.' No, no, no. Grab my child, put my child in the car, and bring them home. In L.A., it's this freedom and justice for all. No! There's no freedom and justice."

Nicole's Family

Musician Joel Madden and Socialite Nicole Richie at the Launch of Richie-Madden Childrens Foundation at Los Angeles Free Clinic
Getty | Jeff Vespa

Well, Nicole and her pals indeed turned out perfect! The American TV personality married her dream husband, Joel Madden, in 2010. The couple shares two beautiful children; 15-year-old Harlow and 13-year-old Sparrow.

The Extra Pack

Drew Barrymore interviews Paris Hilton on parenthood
youtube | The Drew Barrymore Show

The rest of the pack are also kicking it good as mothers. Barrymore has two kids with her ex-husband Will Kopelman; 10-year-old Olive and 8-year-old Frankie. Meanwhile, Paris recently welcomed her first baby with Carter Reum earlier this year.

Earth, Wind & Fire

Lionel Richie's Earth, Wind & Fire tour
instagram | lionelrichie

The Dancing on the Ceiling singer will kickstart his tour, Earth, Wind & Fire, later this summer. Lionel Richie's tour is planned to run from August 4th till September 15th.