Nicole Richie's parents may be well-known figures in the entertainment industry, but it was this "The Simple Life" star who held a special place in their hearts from a young age. Born on September 21, 1981, to Peter Michael Escovedo III and Karen Moss, Nicole was adopted at the age of 9 by R&B singer Lionel Richie and his then-wife Brenda Harvey Richie. Their initial encounter at a Prince concert led to an immediate connection that would shape Nicole's life.

Uncover the Story of Nicole Richie's Parenting Journey

Nicole's Musical Family Roots

Nicole Richie comes from a family deeply intertwined with the music industry. In addition to Lionel Richie's illustrious career with the Commodores and as a solo artist, her biological father, Peter, is also a highly accomplished musician. Speaking to The Reporter in May 2024, Peter opened up about his career as a producer and musical director. He shared that his father, Pete Escovedo, inspired him and his siblings to take the stage. Peter's journey led him to tour and provide sound for notable artists like Lionel and Marvin Gaye. This percussionist even earned two Emmy nominations. According to Peter's sister Sheila E., who was once engaged to Prince, Karen worked as her assistant. Sheila let Nicole stay with Lionel and Brenda while Peter and Karen were on tour. As a single working mom, Karen was extremely grateful but torn.

Friendship between Biological and Adoptive Parents

Nicole's biological parents were on friendly terms with Lionel and Brenda. Peter toured with the "Hello" singer, and Lionel worked with Peter's sister Sheila E. on his 1983 "Running With the Night" video. After initially seeing Nicole at the Prince concert, Lionel and Brenda realized the difficulties she was facing. They decided to step up as her legal guardians and eventually adopted her. Sheila E. wrote in her memoir that Brenda insisted Nicole stay with her and Lionel while her parents were on the road. After Karen agreed, Brenda enrolled Nicole in a local primary school. Lionel later told Nicole that the family situation was falling apart, but they were determined to provide a stable environment.

Lionel's Effort to Earn Nicole's Trust

After welcoming Nicole into their home, Lionel Richie assured his daughter that he would always be by her side. "She was used to people coming and going," he told PEOPLE in 2022. "She looked at me, and I'd say, 'I'm not going anywhere.' " Lionel elaborated in a 2016 interview with Nicole for HuffPost. "It was very important that you understood that no matter when I went away, if it was two months or one month or three weeks or two weeks, I'm coming right back." Over time, Nicole realized she could trust her father to return from his work trips. "Then I think you felt safer," he added.

Nicole's Fashion Sense and Brenda's Influence

Years before coordinating red carpet looks with Paris Hilton, Nicole often matched with her mother Brenda. The pair has shared countless throwbacks over the years, including matching strapless gowns, white tops and black sequin skirts, and pink lace frocks. Nicole opened up to PEOPLE about her mother's influence on her style. "My mom never told me that I couldn't borrow anything from her closet," she said in August 2024. According to Nicole, Brenda also served as her first "beauty muse." She recalled, "I would sit in her dressing room and watch her get ready … do her skincare and makeup."

Lionel's Hit Song Inspired by Nicole

Lionel Richie famously wrote his 1986 hit "Ballerina Girl" for his oldest child. The song cracked the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. "She never lets me forget that, by the way," the musician told NBC in May 2024. "I would go to her little ballet classes, if you can imagine Nicole in ballet classes. I look at her now and go, 'Nah.' " Lionel revealed that he was inspired to write the tune after coming home from one of her rehearsals. "That song was just her song," he said of the track, on which he sings, "I'm never gonna break your heart, never will we drift apart, 'cause all I wanna do is share my whole life with you." He also passed his talent for piano onto the Candidly Nicole star: The two performed a duet during a 2016 interview for HuffPost during which he regularly shouted out his encouragement.

Lionel's Doubts about Nicole's Reality TV Career

Though Lionel is involved in the reality show world via American Idol, he wasn't initially excited about the idea of his daughter baring her soul on national television. He compared his feelings to the lack of enthusiasm his own parents showed for his singing career when he announced he was going to quit school to tour with the Jackson 5 and "take over the world" as a member of "the Black Beatles," per HuffPost. "It was about as exciting as your telling me about your reality television show," he joked with his daughter. "I was extremely excited, they were extremely not excited." Driving his point home, Lionel added, "I can't say on this interview what my dad said. It was similar to what I said to you [about your announcement]."

Nicole's Decision to Reconnect with Biological Parents

Nicole opened up about her decision to reconnect with her biological parents when she discovered she was expecting her first child in 2007. "When I found out that I was pregnant, there was just something inside of me that felt a responsibility to mend any issues that I've had with my parents in the past," she said in a 2007 interview with CBS. Nicole noted that she knew Karen and wanted to have a conversation before embarking on her parenthood journey. "You just want to heal any wounds before I become a mother myself," she added. Nicole and her husband, Joel Madden, welcomed their daughter Harlow in 2008, followed by son Sparrow in 2009.

Lionel and Brenda's Reunion for Nicole's Movie Premiere

Though Lionel and Brenda divorced in 1993, they continued to co-parent. They even reunited to celebrate the debut of Nicole's film Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead in April 2024. The reality star later told the Today show that her parents couldn't contain themselves at the premiere event. "My dad was very loud, you guys. He kept talking the whole movie," she said. "He was like, 'Oh, this is great. Oh, my God, I can't believe it. Oh, she is so funny!' And I was like, 'Dad.' We're in a room full of people.' " As for Brenda? "My mom was the same, just as bad," she quipped. "They were so excited to be there."