Sofia Richie opens up about Justin Bieber romance: ‘We have a special relationship’

Sofia Richie has spoken up for the first time about her rumoured relationship with pop star Justin Bieber. The 18-year-old daughter of Lionel Richie, who has already appeared in Elle, Vanity Fair and Vogue China, is believed to have been dating the 22-year-old pop star for the past few months and enjoys hanging out with the “Sorry” singer because he is “easy to talk to.”

“We have a special relationship," she told the new style issue of Billboard magazine. “Justin is very easy to talk to, and that’s hard to find with people in Los Angeles.”

The pair were first spotted together in August, and since then, the model has been bombarded with offensive comments from upset Bieber fans. The backlash resulted in Justin deactivating his Instagram account.

Sofia insisted she has learned how to cope with the tough side of fame from observing how her older sister, Nicole Richie, handled the spotlight.

“I remember the paparazzi and the s--- people would say to Nicole, and she wouldn’t respond,” she said. “I'm going to be real with you: It. Doesn’t. Bother. Me. As long as I’m happy.”

Rumours circulated in mid-August that Justin and Sofia’s relationship was on the rocks after the pop star was spotted partying with other women at the V Festival in London. However, the pair were soon reunited for a romantic trip to Mexico to celebrate Sofia’s 18^th birthday.

Read more: Justin Bieber sex tape: Pop star photographed in steamy makeout session with Sofia Richie

Sofia’s comments on Bieber came just days after her father Lionel gave the couple his blessing. “I’m not going there. I have strict instructions not to go there,” the “Dancing on the Ceiling” hitmaker told TMZ when asked about the pair dating. Asked if he approved of their relationship, he replied “Yes.”

Sofia enjoys her current career path as a model but she revealed that her dad sometimes tries to steer her toward music by bringing over famous musicians.

“One night he intercoms me, like, ‘Come have dinner in the studio,’” she recalled. “So I go down and it’s my dad and Pharrell Williams. I’m like, ‘I can’t just sit here and casually have a dinner with you two! I’m so sorry, I’ve got to go back upstairs.’”

Now that she’s legally an adult, Sofia plans on moving out of their family home, saying “It’s time to go.”