Before Sofia’s mother and father acquired collectively, Lionel was married to his faculty sweetheart, Brenda Harvey, from 1975 to 1993. During their relationship, the pair adopted Sofia’s sister, Nicole, when she was 9 years outdated.
Following his divorce from Harvey, Lionel tied the knot with Diane Alexander on Dec. 21, 1995, and went on to welcome two kids together with her. Their son, Miles Richie, was born on May 27, 1994, whereas Sofia arrived on Aug. 24, 1998. Lionel and Alexander had been married for 9 years earlier than they divorced in 2004. Since then, the “American Idol” star has moved on along with his girlfriend Lisa Parigi.
In a September 2018 interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Sofia revealed she as soon as tried following in her father’s footsteps by learning music as a child. “My dad had me in singing classes from a extremely younger age and I’ve performed piano with my dad rising up, so I’ve that a part of me,” she mentioned.
While Sofia loves music, she determined to not make it her profession as a result of she would at all times be in her father’s shadow. “I really feel like that’s a variety of accountability to take it on. I’d must do it 100% and I’m not prepared to try this,” she defined. “I’ve to attempt to discover my very own method.”
Although Sofia did not find yourself turning into a singer like her dad, she did make a reputation for herself as a mannequin and clothier. Over the years, Sofia has collaborated with main manufacturers like Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, and Adidas, and has been on the quilt of varied magazines around the globe. She’s additionally launched a swimwear assortment with Frankies Bikinis, in addition to her very personal clothes line in partnership with Nicole’s life-style model, House of Harlow 1960.
In July 2017, Lionel gushed over Sofia’s success within the trend world, telling USA Today, “She’s having fun with it. And the excellent news is, she’s bold about her work. And she needs to be in it. And she’s working very arduous. I’m happy with her and all my children.”
Sofia married music government Elliot Grainge on April 22, 2023. The mannequin shared numerous images from her huge day on Instagram, which revealed that each her mother and father had been proper by her facet all through the ceremony. Lionel additionally walked Sofia down the aisle.
In an April interview with Vogue, Sofia instructed the publication she acquired “emotional” whereas taking within the second together with her dad. “I used to be watching one after the other every bridesmaid and groomsman stroll down the aisle, and we had been inching nearer to the entrance, and I could not consider it was occurring,” she recalled.
“My father has at all times been essentially the most comforting determine in my life, and he is saved me grounded,” she continued, including that he eased her nerves by speaking to her earlier than starting their stroll. “He mentioned, ‘You’re the love of my life, and I’m so pleased for you.’ It was very emotional, and I really feel so fortunate that I’ve my mother and father. I’m very grateful.”