Lionel Richie<\/a> revealed that he almost joined the Episcopal priesthood before one encouraging shoutout from an audience member convinced him to pursue a musical career.<\/p>\n In his new memoir “Truly,” the 76-year-old music icon recalled growing up, he was a “disastrously shy altar boy” who considered becoming a member of the clergy and was training for the priesthood.<\/p>\n During a Friday appearance on “Today with Jenna & Friends” to promote his tell-all, Richie recalled the pivotal moment, while performing with his college band, The Commodores, that inspired him to commit to music.<\/p>\n Singer Lionel Richie Attributes Family, God To His Generational Staying Power<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “I couldn\u2019t figure out what the heck to do with my life, couldn\u2019t figure it out,” the four-time Grammy Award winner said. “I\u2019m as shy as I can be. And then I realized, maybe the priesthood might be the best way to go.”<\/p>\n Lionel Richie recalled that he almost became a priest before one enthusiastic shoutout from a fan convinced him to pursue music.<\/p>\n “Here\u2019s what happened to change my mind,” Richie continued. “I joined the Commodores in my second semester of my sophomore year and something amazing happened. A lady on the front row of some club said, \u2018Sing it, baby!\u2019”<\/p>\n Read On The Fox News App<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Richie said that the audience member’s comment prompted him to contact church leadership and abandon his training for the priesthood.<\/p>\n Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “I called back to the priest and I said, \u2018I don\u2019t think I\u2019m going to be college material. I just gotta be honest with you,\u2019” the “All Night Long” hitmaker said. “There\u2019s a moment when you have that moment.”<\/p>\n An audience member shouted “Sing it, baby!” while Richie was performing with the Commodores.<\/p>\n “All of a sudden, I got an acknowledgment from the other side,” Richie continued. “From that point on, I kept thinking, now how does this go forward? I didn’t know I was a writer, didn’t know I was a singer. Thank God for The Commodores because I would have never discovered Lionel Richie.”<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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