Miles Brockman Richie: Why the Model-Restaurateur Is More Than Just a Famous Last Name

You probably recognize the last name. It’s hard not to. But Miles Brockman Richie isn't just "Lionel’s son" or "Sofia’s brother." Honestly, he’s a bit of an enigma. While his sister Sofia Richie Grainge took over the internet with her "quiet luxury" wedding and Nicole Richie remains a reality TV pioneer, Miles has taken a path that feels a lot more... jagged.

He’s the guy covered in 175 hours of ink who once dropped out of an accounting degree at UCLA because a friend told him he wasn't meant to be an accountant.

Talk about a vibe shift.

The Reality of Being a "Legacy" Kid

Growing up as the only son of a musical legend like Lionel Richie sounds like a dream, right? Well, sort of. Miles has been pretty open about the fact that it wasn't all sunshine and "All Night Long" singalongs. He was actually a super shy kid. Whenever the paparazzi showed up, he’d hide behind his mom, Diane Alexander.

Things got a bit rocky during his childhood. He’s admitted to being a "very angry" kid, which led his parents to send him to a boarding school in Colorado for four years when he was just nine.

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That’s a lot for a kid to handle.

He credits that time with teaching him how to manage his emotions, though he’s the first to admit he still gets into trouble sometimes. "That’s just life," he says. It’s that kind of bluntness that makes him feel more like a real person than a curated Hollywood product.

The Runway and the "Tattoo Armor"

Miles didn't exactly jump into modeling. He was hesitant. He struggled with insecurities—which is wild to think about when you see him on a billboard. Eventually, he signed with Wilhelmina and IMG, making a massive splash at New York Fashion Week in 2018.

He debuted for Philipp Plein, walking a runway that featured a giant robot and indoor snow. Very low-key, right?

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What really sets him apart in the fashion world is the ink. He doesn't count his tattoos; he counts the hours. 175 hours, to be exact. He calls them his "armor." He’s got his sisters' names, his parents' names, and even a Buddha on his back that he says is his most significant piece.

And then there's the Kylie Jenner thing. Back in 2014, she famously tattooed her initials on his hand. People lost their minds over it at the time, but for Miles, it was just another chapter in a very visible life.

That Heathrow Incident: What Really Happened?

If you Google Miles Brockman Richie, you’re going to see the word "bomb" pretty quickly. It’s the elephant in the room. In 2019, he was detained at Heathrow Airport in London.

Basically, he got frustrated when he wasn't allowed on a flight. Things escalated. Allegedly, he claimed he had a bomb in his bag and supposedly got into it with a security guard.

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He ended up accepting a "caution" from the UK police. For those not fluent in British law, a caution is basically an admission of guilt for a minor offense that stays on your record but doesn't involve a full-blown trial. It was a messy moment, and one that has followed him around in headlines ever since. It’s a reminder that even when you have everything, pressure can make anyone snap.

More Than Just a Pretty Face (and a Famous Dad)

So, what’s he doing now? He’s not just sitting around waiting for a modeling call. Miles is actually a massive foodie with some big ambitions in the kitchen.

• Bob’s Calzone: This is his passion project. It’s an Italian restaurant concept in LA named after his "party alter ego," Bob.
• The Music: He’s been working on a house music EP. He’s into Muay Thai and boxing, specifically following guys like Anthony Joshua and Israel Adesanya.
• The "Missing" Wedding: When Sofia got married in France in 2023, the internet went into a tailspin because Miles wasn't in the photos. Rift? Drama? Nope. He just had COVID-19.

He’s lived his whole life in the shadow of a giant, but he’s clearly trying to build something that is just... Miles.

Actionable Takeaways from the Miles Richie Story

Looking at how Miles has navigated fame, there are a few things we can actually learn from his "marathon, not a sprint" approach to life:

1. Identity is earned, not inherited. Even with a billionaire-adjacent lifestyle, he’s pushing to be known as an actor or model, not just a "son of."
2. Vulnerability isn't a weakness. By being honest about his "angry kid" phase and his insecurities, he’s created a much more authentic brand than most influencers.
3. Pivoting is okay. Dropping an accounting degree to walk for Alexander McQueen is a massive risk, but staying in a lane that doesn't fit you is worse.

If you’re looking to follow his journey, his Instagram (@milesrichie) is usually the best spot for a mix of high-fashion shoots and very candid, unpolished looks at his life in LA.