The headliners for King Charles‘ upcoming coronation concert set for Sunday, May 7, have been revealed, and the legendary Lionel Richie is on the list.
Fans are undoubtedly thrilled about the development after The Spice Girls, Ed Sheeran, and Adele were reported to have taken a pass on performing at the occasion.
Nevertheless, Richie is beyond honored to be chosen for such an event as he opens up about how much of a big deal it is to him while looking forward to giving his utmost performance in honor of the King.
Lionel Richie Promises A Unique Performance At King Charles’ Coronation
During the Breakthrough Awards at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 15, the brilliant songwriter touched on his upcoming performance at the King’s coronation.
He told PEOPLE how surprising the announcement was after he was named alongside Katy Perry as a performer. Richie said, “I mean, you don’t get in the business and say, ‘You know what? I’ll be at the King’s coronation.’ That just never comes up.”.
He continued, “[It’s] A, a surprise. B, what an honor. And C, because of all the names he could have had for this, he called my name.” The TV personality further mentioned that he has known the King “for a long time,” adding, “I do celebrate his now stepping into the king role.”
Richie noted that King Charles, whom he called a “wonderful person,” has been a prince for quite some time, making him feel “anxious” to see what he would change in the new reign.
He was then asked what he anticipated most at the coronation and declared his readiness to “see all the lights.”
“Come on. Are you kidding me?” the Alabama native stated. “I want to see the pomp and circumstance because I don’t care what you thought Michael Jackson did. I don’t care what you thought Prince did.” I don’t care what you thought Madonna did,” he continued. “Nothing’s going to be like this. This is glorious of superb right here.”
Richie’s inclusion in the Coronation concert comes less than a month before King Charles and Queen Camilla will be crowned at Westminster Abbey.
Other celebs set to perform alongside the record producer and Perry at the show are Andrea Bocelli, the British pop band Takes That, Sir Bryn Terfel, Freya Ridings, and Alexis Ffrench.
Richie and Perry, who topped the list, are both “American Idol” judges and have known the monarch for years. The 73-year-old vocalist was appointed the First Global Ambassador and First Chairman of the Global Ambassador Group for The Prince’s Trust in 2019.
Similarly, the “TGIF” songstress served as an ambassador of the then-prince’s co-founded charity, The British Asian Trust, to deal with poverty and change lives in South Asia since 2020.
Meanwhile, according to BBC, the Coronation concert “will celebrate a new chapter in the nation’s history, with themes of love, respect, and optimism, celebrating the four nations, their communities, and the Commonwealth.”
BBC Studios Productions is taking charge of the imminent event, which will be aired live from the grounds of Windsor Castle on a momentous day.
The Spice Girls Turned Down Invitation To King Charles’ Coronation
While preparations were being made in February for the upcoming Coronation concert, fans would recall that about five invited performers canceled, disappointing King Charles.
Per The Blast, The Spice Girls, Elton John, and Harry Styles were among those who canceled because of their “crazy-busy schedules.”
The update came after Sheeran, Adele, and Robbie Williams declined invitations to perform. It was later revealed that the female music group canceled due to the rehearsal time clashing with their “chock-full calendar.”
Fortunately, Olly Murs promised to make time between his tour dates to perform at the concert, which made the royal organizers optimistic despite the last hurdle.
Additionally, a source disclosed that the organizers worked full-time to pull together an “exciting lineup” but had hit “a series of challenges.” The Spice Girls’ cancellation was naturally a downer for their millions of fans after anticipating for weeks following news of the women’s possible reunion at the highly anticipated coronation ceremony.
