You probably know the Richie name because of "Hello" or maybe because Sofia Richie basically invented the "quiet luxury" aesthetic with her 2023 wedding. But there is a middle child. A son who spent most of his life avoiding the paparazzi and the red carpets that his sisters, Nicole and Sofia, seemed to navigate so naturally.
Miles Brockman Richie is the only son of music legend Lionel Richie and his second wife, Diane Alexander. While Sofia was becoming a global fashion icon, Miles was often the guy in the background with the tattoos and the quiet vibe. People always ask: what does he actually do? Is he just another "nepo baby" coasting on his dad's name?
Honestly, the reality is a lot more complicated.
Who Is Miles Richie?
Born on May 27, 1994, Miles is four years older than Sofia and thirteen years younger than his sister Nicole. Growing up as the son of one of the most famous men on the planet isn't exactly normal. While most kids are playing soccer, Miles was dealing with the weight of a legacy he didn't necessarily ask for.
He was a self-described "angry child." He wasn't some polished Hollywood kid. At age nine, he was sent to a boarding school in Colorado for four years. It was a place designed to help him handle his emotions. It seems to have worked, but it also solidified his desire to stay out of the limelight. He spent his teenage years hiding behind his mother whenever cameras appeared.
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He actually tried the "normal" route for a while. He went to UCLA and studied accounting. Can you imagine? The son of Lionel Richie sitting in a lecture hall calculating tax brackets. It didn't last. A friend basically told him he wasn't meant to be an accountant, and he dropped out to pursue something else.
The Modeling Career and That "Bad Boy" Label
In 2018, Miles finally stepped into the public eye. He signed with Wilhelmina Models and made his runway debut at New York Fashion Week for Philipp Plein. It wasn't a subtle entrance—the show featured indoor snow and a performance by Offset. Since then, he’s worked with brands like MCM and Boss.
But with the fame came the scrutiny. In 2019, he made headlines for all the wrong reasons. He was detained at Heathrow Airport in London after an incident where he allegedly threatened to detonate a bomb because he wasn't allowed on a flight. He reportedly punched a security guard. He ended up accepting a "caution" (essentially a warning in the UK) and was released.
It was a messy moment. It reinforced the "bad boy" image that the media loves to pin on him. However, if you look at his interviews, he’s mostly just a guy obsessed with boxing and tattoos. He’s spent somewhere between 150 to 175 hours under the needle. He has the names of his sisters, his mom, and his dad tattooed on him. He even has Kylie Jenner's initials tattooed on his hand (they were close back in the day, leading to a lot of dating rumors that never really went anywhere).
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His Relationship With Sofia Richie
There was a lot of internet chatter when Miles was missing from Sofia's wedding to Elliot Grainge in France. TikTok was convinced there was a massive family rift. Was he banned? Did they have a falling out?
The truth was way more boring: he had COVID-19.
He was supposed to be there, but he caught the virus right before he was meant to fly out. He was reportedly devastated to miss it. Despite the lack of photos from that specific event, the two are incredibly close. They’ve done campaigns together (like for MCM Japan) and Sofia has frequently described him as one of her best friends.
What Is He Doing in 2026?
Miles isn't just a model anymore. He’s been pivoting into two areas that seem totally opposite: house music and calzones.
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- The Food Scene: He’s been working on a project called "Bob’s Calzone." He’s a massive foodie and wanted to create a modern take on Italian comfort food. He chose the name "Bob" because it was his party alter-ego back in the day. He wants to do brick-and-mortar stores and eventually food trucks.
- The Music Scene: Unlike his dad, he’s not doing R&B ballads. He’s been working on an EP of house music. We’re talking global sounds—Brazilian influences, German tech-house, and melodic vibes. He’s trying to build a career that feels like him, not just a copy of Lionel.
The "Mama's Boy" Factor
Despite the tattoos and the airport drama, Miles is a massive "mama's boy." He grew up mostly at Diane Alexander’s house after his parents divorced in 2004. He credits her for supporting his "differences" and helping him find his footing when he felt lost.
He’s also close with his "god-sister," Paris Jackson. Since Michael Jackson was Sofia’s godfather and a close friend of Lionel’s, the families have been intertwined for decades. Miles and Paris are often seen together at fashion events, usually looking like the coolest people in the room.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Follower of the Richie Family
If you’re trying to keep up with the Richie family tree, here is what you need to know about the current status of the siblings:
- Follow the Work, Not Just the Name: Miles is active on Instagram under @milesrichie, but he doesn't post like a typical influencer. He’s more likely to post about his boxing training or his music than a sponsored ad for tea.
- Watch the Culinary Space: Keep an eye out for the launch of Bob’s Calzone in the LA area. It’s expected to be a "hands-on" project where he actually manages operations rather than just lending his name.
- Check the Soundcloud/Streaming: His house music EP is his primary creative focus right now. If you’re into the Tulum or Ibiza tech-house scene, his stuff is surprisingly legit and lacks the "pop" polish you might expect from a celebrity kid.
Miles Richie is living proof that you can be part of a massive Hollywood dynasty and still be a bit of an enigma. He’s navigated the "son of" label by leaning into his own interests—even the weird ones like calzones. While Sofia remains the queen of the fashion world, Miles is carving out a niche that’s a lot more underground.
The next few months will likely see him transition from "Sofia Richie's brother" to a legitimate entrepreneur in the LA food and music scenes. He’s not hiding behind his mother anymore. He's just doing things on his own terms.