Lionel Richie is giving fans a candid look into his life with the release of his new memoir Truly, which hit shelves on September 30. At 76, the Grammy-winning singer and American Idol judge opens up about personal stories that he’s never shared before. In an exclusive interview with People, Richie admitted that even he was surprised by how much he was able to recall while writing, calling the process both challenging and rewarding.
Among the most memorable anecdotes in the book are Richie’s reflections on his friendship with Michael Jackson. At the height of their careers, the two music legends bonded deeply over their passion for creating, though their lifestyles could not have been more different. Richie recalls that while Jackson was close to his family, his solo success placed him in a world of his own, leading to a routine that often seemed eccentric and detached from everyday life.
Richie describes Jackson as someone who could go from elaborate stage outfits to pajama bottoms in the studio, or loose clothes at home while practicing dance moves. He even recalls Quincy Jones giving Jackson the nickname “Smelly,” poking fun at his habit of wearing the same clothes for days. Richie explains that Jackson’s lack of attention to hygiene wasn’t from carelessness, but from the challenges of living constantly on the road, where even sending clothes out to be cleaned could result in never getting them back, as fans often kept his belongings as souvenirs.
Despite these quirks, Richie remembers Jackson with warmth and humor, even sharing a time when he provided him with fresh clothes and encouraged him to shower. He laughs about finding Jackson’s old jeans and underwear left behind in his living room, calling it a reminder that “MJ was here.” To Richie, Jackson was both a musical genius capable of distinguishing the slightest differences in song mixes, and at the same time, someone who approached everyday life with a carefree, almost childlike spontaneity.
