AceShowbiz -

He addressed Nicole Richie's DUI case that could send her to jail as merely "an unfortunate", but when being asked on her pregnancy, Lionel Richie claimed he knows nothing about that.

Meeting up with People after his performance Saturday night July 7th at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, the R&B star told the publication, "Grandpa, man, that's wild. I don't know if I'm going to be grandpa, I don't know if I'm ready to be called grandpa."

Won't comment on his beloved daughter's DUI case, Lionel explained "She's just in an unfortunate situation. She keeps apologizing to me. I told her, 'You're doing exactly what you're supposed to be doing to your father at this age.'"

A socialite and reality TV star, Nicole is reported pregnant with boyfriend Good Charlotte lead vocalist, Joel Madden's child and has reportedly passed the safe 12-weeks pregnant mark.

Nicole is scheduled to go on trial Wednesday July 11th for her driving under the influence case. She was arrested Dec. 11th last year and pleaded not guilty in February to misdemeanor driving under the influence charges. But since the socialite had a prior misdemeanor DUI conviction in 2003, she is facing a sentence of 90 days to a year in jail, a fine between $390 and $1,000, and a suspension of driving privileges.