Lionel Richie Talks To Access About Nicole’s Weight

BURBANK, Calif. (July 24, 2006) — Lionel Richie tells Access Hollywood that he takes talk about daughter Nicole’s weight issues personally.

Richie, whose new album, “Coming Home” will be released on September 12, 2006, performed in Hollywood Sunday night and told Access, “I’ll be honest with you, it (hearing rumors about Nicole’s weight) hurts me more than it hurts her. I’m more sensitive; I take it more so personal?I must tell you, I’m the basket case.”

When asked if he gets on Nicole about her weight, Richie added, “Of course, I mean, what are fathers for if you can’t point the finger every once in a while. I think the good part of it is she is aware of it? She has heard this all her life from me so this is just a continuation of the reminder.”

While it has been reported that Nicole fainted while shopping last week, Richie told Access, “She is doing great.”