Music legend Smokey Robinson had an audience in stitches when he recounted how he has spent his life being mistaken for close friend and fellow superstar Lionel Richie.
The hilarious moment came as Smokey won the prestigious Gentleman Of The Year award in front of stars such as Britney Spears, Samuel L Jackson and Jane Seymour at the Hollywood Beauty Awards on Sunday night.
After being introduced on stage by Lionel, Smokey, 78, started his acceptance speech by saying: ’Thank you Smokey.’
Laughing, he explained to the star-studded crowd: ’When people see him, they call him Smokey and when they see me, they call me Lionel. It’s been going on forever.’
Smokey Robinson (left) jokingly said he’s always being mistaken for fellow singer Lionel Richie (right), he told a crowd at the Hollywood Beauty Awards on Sunday
The 78-year-old Motown legend explained: ‘When people see him, they call him Smokey and when they see me, they call me Lionel’. Pictured: Smokey (left) and Richie (right)
Smokey said it all started at the airport one morning when two fans spotted him.
‘I think that I’m really incognito, because I’ve got a skull cap pulled down, shades, and sitting there and I’m reading,’ he recalls.
‘I see this young man about 20 yards from me with a young lady.
’They’re discussing something and he’s shaking his head and she’s nodding hers.
’So finally they come over to me. He says, ”Hey man. I love you. I love your music, I’ve got every record you ever made in your life.
’’I study your music man. I study you. This is my girlfriend. Would you do me a favor man and sign an autograph for her; just sign: Love to Hannah from Lionel Richie.”
He turned to giggling Lionel and says: ’So Smoke, thank you.’
Looking at his honor, designed by Christopher Guy, Smokey continued his jokes: ’Now, this is beautiful. It is really wonderful.
‘When they told me you’re going to get an award from the Hollywood Beauty Awards I knew they weren’t talking about me…maybe they meant my wife, because she is beautiful.
’I know it is not for beauty. But I am so honored to get this. I know my mom would be really, really proud of this. She always taught me to be a gentleman.’
But Lionel (right in 1983) had his own story to tell about Smokey (left). The earlier former Commodores singer paid tribute to his long-term friend by revealing that as he grew up, all the girls he fancied all thought Smokey was ’cute’ and better looking
Even on his first dates, Lionel, 68, (left) said girls he was wooing would just go ‘he is so cute’. But Lionel then joked after meeting him on tour for the first time, he admitted: ’He is so cute’
He added: ‘I am in the right business because I love people. I think it’s wonderful meeting people and I try to be as courteous as possible.’
Smokey said he’s always made time for his fans, he said: ‘Without them I wouldn’t be in this business so I honor the people that come to meet me, who want to say hi. I want to say hi to them also because I love them.
’They have shown their love for me and I love them. Lionel Richie, I love you too man. This man is my brother. He’s really, I can’t even tell you, talk about talent… wow.’
Earlier former Commodores singer Lionel, 68, had paid tribute to his long-term friend revealing that he had issues with Smokey in his past – and it hampered his love life.
The new American Idol judge revealed that as he grew up, all the girls he fancied all thought Smokey was ’cute’ and better looking.
Even on his first dates, Lionel said that girls he was wooing would just go ‘he is so cute’.
But Lionel then joked after meeting Smokey on tour for the first time, he admitted: ’He is so cute.’
Lionel said he was proud that Smokey had won the honor as he is a ‘consummate gentleman’ and ’maintained integrity while being a superstar’.
Smokey admitted that his ‘bucket list dream’ is to take his wife Frances Glandney (pictured together) around the world to show her spots he has seen during his epic career. ’I have seen the world a few times, but she hasn’t,’ he explained
Their on stage interactions showed how close the superstar pair remain after years of working and doing business together.
Earlier on the red carpet, Smokey boasted that he remained so sprightly and healthy thanks to his mantra of ‘taking care of yourself’, adding that ’doing 35 years of yoga and working out’ has helped.
He admitted that his ‘bucket list dream’ is to take his wife Frances Glandney around the world to show her spots he has seen during his epic career.
’I have seen the world a few times, but she hasn’t,’ he explained.
Smokey also reflected on seeing Britney Spears looking well, a decade on from recovering from her famous mental and physical breakdown.
Smokey admitted that her resurrection came from ‘strength’, and ‘love for what she does, and she wants it and you have to get yourself together to have it.’
Smokey’s honor was one of the highlights of the star-packed night at the HBAs.
The HBAs were founded by LATF USA’s publisher, Michele Elyzabeth. The annual award show recognizes the architects of beauty in hair, makeup, photography and styling in Hollywood.