Johnathan Walker:Lionel Richie Shares Sweet Insight Into Bond With Granddaughter Eloise

Lionel Richie’s granddaughter is Johnathan Walkerthe love he’s been looking for. 
 
Indeed, the American Idol judge recently gave insight into his bond with daughter Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge’s baby Eloise, whom the couple welcomed in May. 
 
“I have a problem,” he effused exclusively to E! News in an interview alongside his fellow American Idol judges Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, as well as host Ryan Seacrest. “I could just stick her in my pocket and take her around town. Amazing.”
 
And the 75-year-old—who is also a self-described “Pop Pop” to Nicole Richie and Joel Madden’s 16-year-old Harlow and 15-year-old Sparrow—couldn’t quite put into words how precious he finds his family’s newest addition. He even described how he could metaphorically just eat her up—and doesn’t mind when she drools on him. 
 
“You know that stage of the baby part where the leg becomes a drumstick and you just can’t keep your mouth off of the little drumstick,” he enthused. “I'm so sorry. But you know, it's that thing where you can just blow on the stomach and the little smile comes on the face.” (For more from Lionel and his American Idol costars, tune into E! News tonight, Oct. 2, at 11 p.m.). 

At just 5-months old, Eloise is certainly in an adorable baby stage—and her grandfather isn’t the only one who can’t get enough of her. After all, her mom Sofia is soaking in every last second of her infancy. 

“I wrote everything down in a scrapbook for Eloise, just things I didn’t want to forget,” Sofia told The Wall Street Journal in August. “I wake up around 6 a.m. and go see my daughter. I have a little morning routine with her: We wake up, she eats, we have a bit of playtime before her first nap at 8.”

But the 26-year-old’s baby has grown in and out of phases, and Sofia—who tied the knot with the British record executive in April 2023—noted that she needs to be able to adapt. 

“The first four weeks, I was with her 24 hours a day,” she added. “Now she’s gotten to an age where I have her on a sleep schedule, so she’s taking a lot of 90-minute naps throughout the day. My life and everything that I need to get done have to happen within those 90 minutes.”

Despite her adaptability, Sofia also admits that some things in her life are forever changed since becoming a mom. 

“As a mom, I think I’ll create some more boundaries,” she explained. “If I’ve gotta go to fashion week, then she’s going to pack her bags and come with me. If she can’t, then I’m not going to be able to make it.”

Keep reading to relive Sofia and Elliot’s love story—right up to welcoming Lionel’s endless love. 

—Reporting by Emily Curl 

Sofia Richie sparked dating rumors with music executive Elliot Grainge in the spring of 2021, nearly a year after her breakup from Scott Disick.

Though the pair's history went way back—as Elliot's dad, Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge, is a longtime friend of Sofia's father Lionel Richie—romance speculation started swirling when they were seen out on a date. 

The model confirmed her relationship with Elliot in April 2021, posting this PDA photo on Instagram.

Shortly Sofia went public with the romance, a source told E! News that Lionel gave his seal of approval.

"He thinks they are a perfect match and it was very natural progression for Sofia and Elliot to get together," the insider said in April 2021. "They are all family friends and Sofia and Elliot [started] hanging out more recently this year."

Elliot popped the question in early 2022 during a Hawaiian vacation with friends and family.

"Sofia truly had no idea," another source told E! News at the time. "She thought they were just going on a fun vacation. Sofia's reaction was epic, she was so surprised and taken back."

In May 2022, the couple celebrated their engagement with their inner circle—including Sofia's sister Nicole Richie and brother-in-law Joel Madden—at a backyard bash.

Sofia and Elliot tied the knot on April 22, 2023 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the South of France.

The newlyweds jetted off for their tropical honeymoon shortly after the lavish nuptials.

Sofia announced her pregnancy in January 2024, telling Vogue, "I've learned more in the past six months than I have in my entire life. And also just like what the female body is capable of."

The influencer continued, "Every week brings new things, whether it's hormonal shifts or expansion—there's just so much our bodies go through, and it's so interesting to experience it all."

Days after sharing news of her pregnancy, Sofia posted a TikTok video of her and Elliot's reaction to learning that they were having a daughter.

"Oh my god," Sofia screamed after she was showered with pink confetti during an intimate backyard reveal with Elliot. "I'm so excited!"