Lionel Richie Reflects on Drew Barrymore, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s Party Days: “You All Almost Killed Me”

Ever wonder how Lionel Richie handled his daughter Nicole Richie‘s notorious party girl days? Well, the American Idol judge became all too relatable to parents across the nation as he revealed just how difficult it was to be the father of the Simple Life star.

During today’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, host Drew Barrymore mentioned that she and Nicole rolled with the same “wolf pack” back in the early aughts, before noting, “I think Nicole and I have figured out how to have so much fun and then pull it together and be really good moms.”

Lionel joked that he has no idea “how that happened” as he went on to bring up his daughter and Paris Hilton‘s close friendship when they were just starting out.

“If I lived through that, I can live through anything,” he said of the two women’s infamous antics.

While he admitted to being surprised at how “perfectly” they all turned out, Barrymore let him know that they “got it all out of our systems”

“I love hearing it from your side of the story. So let me give you my side of the story,” Lionel said. “You all almost killed me. I’m so glad you got it out of your system. I almost cut my system off.”

The “All Night Long” singer recalled getting phone calls from the sheriff in the middle of the night about Nicole driving down the wrong side of the freeway. As for how he got through the crazy times? He quipped, “I was somewhere between meditation and medication.”

When Barrymore pointed out that he must be “excited” for the three moms to get “a little bit of parental payback,” he replied, “You know I am. You have no idea,” before adding that his parents “loved it” and laughed “hysterically” when he went to them for help with Nicole.

“They’re doing the same thing I did to my folks only worse, because they’re doing it in Beverly Hills,” he said. “And the problem is — it would never be allowed in Alabama.”

Lionel added, “In Beverly Hills, it’s, ‘Oh, it’s OK, Lionel. They’re supposed to be able to have some fun.’ No, no, no. Grab my child, put my child in the car and bring them home. In L.A., it’s this freedom and justice for all. No! There’s no freedom and justice.”

Despite experiencing war flashbacks on the daytime talk show, the musician ended his interview on a sweet note as he kissed Barrymore on the cheek and told her, “You’re doing very well.”

The Drew Barrymore Show airs on weekdays on CBS. You can check the website for local airtimes.