Leveling Up on Faith, Family and Folding Chairs with Ciara

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Leveling Up on Faith, Family and Folding Chairs with Ciara"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Baby, This is Keke Palmer
• Host: Keke Palmer
• Guest: Ciara
• Episode Title: Leveling Up on Faith, Family and Folding Chairs with Ciara
• Release Date: May 20, 2025
• Description: Keke Palmer engages in a deep and engaging conversation with Ciara, exploring her journey in the entertainment industry, her dedication to faith and family, and her latest creative endeavors.

---

1. Welcome and Introduction ([00:19] - [02:35])

Keke Palmer warmly welcomes Ciara to the show, highlighting Ciara's extensive career spanning over two decades as a Grammy-winning entertainer, entrepreneur, style icon, wife, and mother of four. Keke sets the stage by mentioning Ciara's new single that's gaining traction on TikTok.

Notable Quote:

• Keke Palmer ([02:35]): "Baby, she is just getting started with a sexy new single that's got people on TikTok swimming on folding chairs."

2. Fashion and Personal Style ([04:04] - [05:22])

Ciara delves into her lifelong passion for fashion, tracing it back to her childhood. She shares anecdotes about playing in her family's closets and how her grandmother's bold fashion choices influenced her. Ciara emphasizes fashion as a medium for self-expression and connecting with others.

Notable Quote:

• Ciara ([05:10]): "I've always loved fashion, and I think it's such an amazing way to express yourself and for people to kind of feel you."

3. Early Career and First Goals ([12:44] - [16:14])

Ciara recounts her early aspirations and the power of manifestation. She shares how creating a goal sheet led her to be discovered and highlights the success of her debut album, "Goodies," which surpassed her initial goal by selling five million copies. Ciara reflects on signing her first publishing and recording deals as a teenager.

Notable Quotes:

• Ciara ([13:12]): "My first goal I wrote down was to get discovered, period. And then I said, once I got discovered, I wanted to sell 3 to 4 million albums."
• Keke Palmer ([16:11]): "Oh, my God. First of all, congratulations. That's incredible."

4. Faith and Overcoming Challenges ([16:14] - [25:03])

Faith plays a pivotal role in Ciara's life. She discusses how maintaining faith helped her navigate the ups and downs of her career, including moments when things didn’t go as planned. Ciara underscores the importance of perspective and resilience, attributing her longevity and success to unwavering faith.

Notable Quotes:

• Ciara ([16:34]): "Faith is the way for me. Honestly, that is like single handedly... one of my superpowers."
• Ciara ([23:03]): "The ugly does turn into pretty because you gain so much wisdom from it."

5. Family and Motherhood ([25:03] - [32:42])

Ciara opens up about the profound impact motherhood has had on her life. Balancing a demanding career with raising four children, she describes the challenges and immense joy that come with being a mother. Ciara emphasizes that motherhood has provided her with a deeper sense of purpose and motivation.

Notable Quotes:

• Ciara ([26:26]): "When I look up at these four kids, I feel so proud. It puts the P in purpose for me."
• Keke Palmer ([28:01]): "You never rest because you're always wondering and worrying and concerned, you know, about that child."

6. Evolution of Music and Independent Releases ([25:03] - [43:40])

Ciara discusses her transition to independent artistry with her label, Beauty Marks Entertainment. She reflects on her decision to bypass traditional record label approvals, allowing her to maintain creative control. Ciara shares insights into her upcoming album, "Level Up," highlighting its blend of classic Ciara sounds with new, evolved elements.

Notable Quotes:

• Ciara ([30:18]): "You have to live... we're building a legacy together."
• Ciara ([41:19]): "This project has been a labor of love for me. It comes out, as you said, 7 11."

7. Collaborations and New Ventures ([43:36] - [51:15])

Ciara talks about her collaborations with other artists, including Tyga, and the creative processes behind them. She highlights innovative projects like performing live on Twitch and engaging with fans through interactive challenges. Additionally, Ciara shares her aspirations to work with artists like Bad Bunny and her ventures into new musical styles.

Notable Quotes:

• Ciara ([44:30]): "We actually made our song live on his Twitch together."
• Ciara ([49:08]): "I like to get me some good old fried chicken. Candy, yams."

8. Interactive Segment: Defying Gravity Challenge ([47:10] - [51:43])

In a fun and energetic segment, Keke and Ciara participate in the Defying Gravity Challenge, attempting to dance while balancing objects on their backs. This light-hearted moment showcases their camaraderie and adds a playful element to the episode.

Notable Quotes:

• Keke Palmer ([48:54]): "Are you down for this?"
• Ciara ([51:09]): "Love y'all. Hola, baby."

9. Personal Reflections and Future Plans ([51:43] - [52:35])

As the episode nears its end, Ciara reflects on her relationship with Russell Wilson, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and shared goals. She discusses her desire to continue expanding her family and her commitment to balancing career and personal life.

Notable Quotes:

• Ciara ([37:13]): "It’s being vulnerable at the highest level."
• Ciara ([36:46]): "I am not going away forever. I'm going to be honest."

10. Closing Thoughts and Messages ([52:35] - [53:20])

Keke concludes the episode by praising Ciara's journey, emphasizing the importance of intentional living and self-belief. The episode wraps up with promotional segments for other shows, seamlessly transitioning out of the main content.

Notable Quote:

• Keke Palmer ([51:28]): "I felt like my youngest self."

---

Key Takeaways:

• Faith as a Foundation: Ciara attributes her resilience and success to her unwavering faith, which has helped her navigate both personal and professional challenges.
• Balancing Career and Family: Despite a demanding career, Ciara prioritizes her family, finding strength and motivation in motherhood.
• Independent Artistic Vision: Transitioning to her own label, Ciara emphasizes creative control and direct engagement with her fanbase.
• Continuous Evolution: Ciara remains committed to evolving her music and style, blending her classic sounds with new influences.
• Empowerment and Legacy: Through her actions and messages, Ciara inspires others to believe in themselves, pursue their passions, and create lasting legacies.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Ciara ([13:12]): "My first goal I wrote down was to get discovered, period."
• Ciara ([16:34]): "Faith is the way for me. Honestly, that is like single handedly... one of my superpowers."
• Ciara ([26:26]): "When I look up at these four kids, I feel so proud."
• Ciara ([41:19]): "This project has been a labor of love for me."
• Keke Palmer ([47:10]): "Are you down for this?"
• Ciara ([37:13]): "It’s being vulnerable at the highest level."

This episode offers a comprehensive look into Ciara's multifaceted life, blending personal anecdotes with professional insights, all underscored by themes of faith, family, and continuous growth.

Transcript

[Keke Palmer]

This episode is presented in partnership with Airbnb. Baby, Memorial Day weekend is all about family, food, and kicking off summer. And with Airbnb, you can celebrate in one of the most loved homes in America. All right, y' all, let's dive in.

[Ciara]

I made a goal sheet, and my first goal I wrote down was to get discovered, period. And then I said, once I got discovered, I wanted to sell 3 to 4 million albums.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay. Then I was like, this is a specific manifestation. This is what they was talking about with that Sierra's prayer.

[Ciara]

Oh, God. At the time, I remember I've never said this before. It's like, I don't want to jinx anything, but I think he's. And I didn't want to say this. And she finished, and she said the one. And I said yes. And he left my house on the elevator, told his friend at the time that came with him. He said the same exact thing that I said. And so it's just kind of amazing. There's a saying when, you know, you know, I'll be honest with you. I am. I do want to have a fifth baby. Yes, girl, I do. I'm not gonna even, like, skate around it. I do. I was like, russ's campaign game right now is so strong. And I said, babe, I said, these folks is on your side, Girl.

[Keke Palmer]

I was in that room for hours.

[Ciara]

You are being like, give me the mug right here. Cause it says, what's the T? Right?

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Me too.

[Ciara]

What's the tea?

[Keke Palmer]

What's tea?

[Ciara]

Come on, what's the tea? Let's go, baby. Oh, look at that. Yes, ma' am.

[Keke Palmer]

We nailed it.

[Ciara]

You're my girl.

[Keke Palmer]

You're my fave. I am so excited about my guest today. She is someone you have literally grown up with. I have grown up with y' all. And she's had us dancing in our bedrooms to hits like one two step goodies, Ride it since we were just kids. And she has only continued to level up over her, what, Grammy winning, 20 plus year career as an entertainer, a entrepreneur, style icon, wife, mother of four. And, baby, she is just getting started with a sexy new single that's got people on TikTok swimming on folding chairs. Okay, we got a lot to talk to her about. Ciara, welcome to Baby. This is Keke Palmer. You look so good. Thank you.

[Ciara]

You look so pretty.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Thank you. You know, I love the hair, girl. I had to do the pigtails. I was trying to give Cece to Cece. You know, when you killed those Pigtails. Oh, my God.

[Ciara]

That's so cute. You may do it again.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes. Now, I just saw you literally last week at the Met Gala. You were eating it up, that shortcut, even though it was a wig, but it didn't look like a wig. I almost thought you cut your hair.

[Ciara]

Oh, my gosh. No. First of all, thank you so much. You know, we get to have fun with hair pieces. Like, that's the beauty of it, because I love blonde, and I feel like if I take my hair blonde, it's gonna all fall out. So I like using the hair pieces to have create what I call hair magic.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Yes.

[Ciara]

And so that was really fun, you.

[Keke Palmer]

Know, but it was so tapered to the neck. You know, when you do a wig shortcut, it could really go left. I don't know who did that that night.

[Ciara]

Yeah, that was Cesar.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh.

[Ciara]

Cesar.

[Keke Palmer]

Shout out to Cesar. You guys have been rocking for years. I love Cesar.

[Ciara]

Oh, my gosh. Thank you so much.

[Keke Palmer]

He nailed it.

[Ciara]

Thank you. Thank you so much. Well, it's so funny because my team in general, I just have to shout them out.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes.

[Ciara]

My makeup artist. My makeup artist, Yolanda Frederick Thompson.

[Keke Palmer]

Been with her forever.

[Ciara]

I said the whole name. Yes. Because when she got married, the name, you know, grew. But she's been with me since my first photo shoot of my career when I was 16 years old. She's actually in the room.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes.

[Ciara]

So we're going on 24 years of being together not to date myself. And then there's also Kya, who's in the room.

[Keke Palmer]

Yep. Love Kaia.

[Ciara]

And she's a part of my team as well. And we are at least 16 years or almost 17 years in. So my whole team, they've been with me for a long time, and we have done so many things together, and we have so much fun trying things. And, you know, when we get to have moments like the Met Gala, we all feel so proud.

[Keke Palmer]

Shout out to Laquan Smith.

[Ciara]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

Shout out to Laquan. I mean, you, Ciara, have been groundbreaking in fashion. I mean, I remember from the beginning, 1, 2 step goodies all the way up until now. When did fashion become such a serious thing for you? You know what I mean?

[Ciara]

Yeah. Fashion has always been my jam. I was always playing in my grandma's closet, my dad's closet, because I'm a tomboy. Yes. So back in the days when the Ralph Lauren tracksuits was a thing, I'd be grabbing his shorts. I liked baggy clothes. I liked oversized he was also in the military. My mom was also in the Air Force. But I would pull out the army fatigue outfits in the closet. And also, for some reason, this is coming to my mind. Remember back in the days, the corn starch, the spray.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh, yes.

[Ciara]

With the crease down the middle of the pants. Yes. The little bitty details. Like, that was my jam growing up. Just, like, I was always into fashion, and like I said, everything my grandmother did, she always did it big. So my family is kind of like that. You know, they always go big.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

And it's kind of in me. Like, it's. You know, to say, it's not on me.

[Keke Palmer]

It's in me.

[Ciara]

It's in me. Yeah. So I've always loved fashion, and I think it's such an amazing way to express yourself and for people to kind of feel you. Like, you can say a lot without saying anything through your fashion.

[Keke Palmer]

Without a doubt.

[Ciara]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

And you were there. It was great to see you reunite with another favorite fashion girly of ours, Reef, which I haven't seen you guys connect in so long. You know, I was there on the Internet in the Twitter days when it was that beef. So how fun was that? Means you now are grown women mothers. How was it seeing each other?

[Ciara]

So good. Rihanna is. She is killing the game.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. You both are.

[Ciara]

You know, obviously being women that are, I would say, living our lives as moms, you know, it's really cool to see how we can do it all. And I think she's another great example of that. And she's always so funny and so sweet. It's funny because we actually were chatting the Last Met Gala together, and so to see her now with her new bump. Yeah, right. You know, another one. It's really cool.

[Keke Palmer]

I mean, you guys probably have seen each other in private before then and had y' all. Oh, yeah. So this is kind of our. As the audience and the fans, first time seeing you guys.

[Ciara]

And I think I mentioned somewhere recently where she had sent me a dm, just randomly and just saying. She said, I'm so proud of you. And it was so sweet, you know, to feel that love to hear that from her, you know, and we were both just sharing back great sentiments. But again, you know, she's been doing. She's done such an awesome job with building her empire, and, you know, it's just. It's good vibes, and it's very sweet.

[Keke Palmer]

I love to see that, and I love that us fans got to see that. It was an awesome moment. Good to See you guys celebrating each other now. Another great thing about the network we.

[Ciara]

Can say, but we do know is that. That our fellas don't miss. Sorry. These boys.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay. Cause this is. I'm, like, already Reed. And I'm ready for Cinco. I'm not trying to put the pressure on you, but, I mean, Russell keeps.

[Ciara]

Telling us my honey.

[Keke Palmer]

And you guys were there at the Met Gal.

[Ciara]

This was his first time with you, first time together.

[Keke Palmer]

How did he feel?

[Ciara]

That was really cool.

[Keke Palmer]

Did he like it?

[Ciara]

That was really cool. He really enjoyed it.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, good.

[Ciara]

You know, he didn't know what. He was walking. He was like, what is it? Like, what are you doing? I was like, it's like a museum, babe. And then we're gonna eat, and we're gonna watch performance, and da, da, da. But he was so amazing. Like, I honestly have been dreaming of us going to the Met Gala together.

[Keke Palmer]

He was always working.

[Ciara]

He was always working on the west coast when he played for Seattle and, you know, and the other teams. And Pittsburgh was a little closer, but not quite in New York. So, you know, when you have that, you know, travel challenge, there's no way to make it to the east coast because the time goes, you go forward.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

So he won't be able to do practice and then go after. So luckily, being in New York and him being a giant, I'm so excited for him. He could leave from practice. He went from MetLife to the Met. Oh. So, you know.

[Keke Palmer]

I know. That's right.

[Ciara]

It was really cool. I was so happy. I was like a little girl. And when we got dressed up for the night, he was in one room and I was in the other. So, you know. Cause he's so sweet. He's like, she be having a whole lot going on, and he does, too. Cause he was doing, like, PT work and everything.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ciara]

He's like, okay, I'll let you have your space. And then we kind of, you know, he checks in, and it's cute, and. But I didn't see him until he was fully dressed, and vice versa for me. So it was kind of like walking out, like, on a wedding day kind of thing. Oh, my God. It was really cute.

[Keke Palmer]

And I love hearing you talk about the athletic aspect, because I remember we had this same trainer for a while, and he was like, you need to know Ciara's an athlete. You know what I mean? Because you did track Run.

[Ciara]

I ran track, yes. I was also a cheerleader growing up. Shout out to the cheerleaders because they had to give the cheerleaders some credit.

[Keke Palmer]

My sister was a cheerleader. Absolutely. The cheerleader girls are athletes. People don't realize that takes work. It does.

[Ciara]

Yeah. Yeah. So I ran track.

[Keke Palmer]

I love that comment.

[Ciara]

Yeah, we do. So I understand what he does. And being a performer, it also requires, like, a great level of athleticism and, you know, coordination and endurance. Like, you know, I can't believe how much I'm loving running these days. Like, doing cardio with training, like, because I really don't like running, but I.

[Keke Palmer]

Like that girl either.

[Ciara]

I've been liking it lately for some reason, and I think it's just knowing I'm gonna have good endurance for when I hit the stage. Like, that's important, too.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. And I mean, runner's high is a real thing when you run it. When you run it, you kind of feel, like, all floaty. You know what I mean? That high from burning all that energy.

[Ciara]

Yeah. When you're running, you know, or training, especially when you don't want to do it.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ciara]

That's when something good comes out of it. I be feeling like when I leave the gym, I'm like, I can tough something up. Like, I feel so good. Like, I'm so ready for the world. Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

It's so true.

[Ciara]

I feel so proud of my. When I really didn't want to do it.

[Keke Palmer]

Especially early morning. Oh, my gosh, early 5am, 6am I.

[Ciara]

Let me tell you, for the Met Gala, this girl right here was eating air chips, air hamburger, air fries. I said, I'm about ready for that pizza and them real fries. But I was on it because I had to travel and stuff. I had a training session at 4:30 in the morning.

[Keke Palmer]

That's my girl.

[Ciara]

OK. I had to get on the plane shortly after, do a fit. Like, it was crazy. But I was like, we gonna do what we got to do.

[Keke Palmer]

I love that we got. And that's why you look so amazing. I want to go to your childhood because you mentioned it a minute about, you know, you grew up as an army brat. You know what I mean? Where you were, Germany, Utah, Nevada. And you're all over the world. How did music find you? Was that something that grounded you growing up?

[Ciara]

That was in me, you know, I have to give credit to my mom and my dad and my grandma and my grandpa. Just growing up, music always surrounded me. They always played music, and they played a great range of music. And then it was really cool when I lived in places like Germany, because the music you would hear there would be so, like, you know, worldly. Like, you would hear music from all over the world.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes.

[Ciara]

So for me, I think it really helped me as a songwriter. Like, melodies is, like, one of my strongest, you know, things when it comes to writing melodies and catchiness. Like, I can hear a hit pretty good for the most part.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, I think so.

[Ciara]

And I can just know, like, what's gonna make, you know, what's gonna cut through. And I really believe that a big part of that is because of how I grew up with how I listened to music and how I was exposed to music.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

So it's always been in my soul. And, you know, with dancing, I've always loved dancing. I was. Soon as I could walk, I was dancing. I was that little girl, you know, so I've always had an appreciation for it. It's always been something special for me. Like, the day that I knew I was gonna become an artist, I remember I was watching Michael Jackson perform, and I'll never forget it. When he smiled, there was a feeling that I felt, and I was like, I'm going to do that. And I had goosebumps all over my body. But there's also something about how I hear music. Like, when I hear music, it does something different to me. I think I hear from a different perspective, you know, than probably a good bit of people, but that's the artist in me.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

So I've always just had a strong connection to it. And I was never trained to do any of what I did. I didn't take any classes, vocal lessons. I didn't have anybody teach me choreography growing up until I became an artist. But that was, like, God's gift to me. And I knew, like, this was ordained for me. Like, God, this is what you gave me. And it's such a gift to be able to do this thing.

[Keke Palmer]

And, I mean, you started so young, and, I mean, OG Seer fans are gonna know you started out in a girl group.

[Ciara]

Yes, I did.

[Keke Palmer]

Hearsay. Yeah. Like, what? So how did you find that group? How old were you? And, like, why didn't it work out? When did you realize, oh, I'm not a girl group girl, I'm a Sierra?

[Ciara]

So it's funny, because let me tell you, okay, let's try to do this as short as I can, but the power of manifestation is real. Okay. So I remember sitting at home and I had missed school this day. I don't know. I think I was sick or something happened. And I was just thinking about my life. I'm like, what am I going to do? Like, post high school. Because this was the time when people were, like, signing up for, you know, colleges and all that stuff. Like, I'm in ninth grade. Ish. And I'm like, what is my thing gonna be?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

And so I wrote down a goal sheet. Okay, I made a goal sheet. And my first goal I wrote down was to get discovered, period. And then I said, once I got discovered, I wanted to sell 3 to 4 million albums.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay. Then I said, this is specific minister. This is what they was talking about with that Sierra's prayer. Oh, God, you're doing it every.

[Ciara]

I'm praying all my life, girl. And then my third goal was to have Longev. Okay? So no lie. I swear to you. No lie. Two weeks after I wrote this down, someone asked me to audition for a group. There was, like, they knew that I wanted to be a singer because we were all talking about it at lunch. So they remembered that, and they said, there's a girl group looking for a third group member. Would you want to audition? And I was like, sure. Like, this is crazy, because, you know, I just said this two weeks ago. So I sang on the phone. I sounded a hot mess. Like, I don't even know why they wanted to see me after that. Cause it was shaking you boots, but, okay, they still wanted to see me. They saw me in person. I auditioned, and I made the girl group. And, you know, I was probably like, the fifth rotating member of my role. So there was two girls that were in the group, but they kept trying to get this third member right.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

So, you know, that was that. So did that. And I think I kind of came in a little ambitious. Like, I'm like, you got these groups here. You got these groups here. We got to be out here. Like, we need to be out here. That endurance we gotta be. You know, I was super turned up, but I was super clear on my vision of what I wanted to do. And unfortunately, the group didn't work out. But that was my opportunity. And I knew I always wanted to be a solo artist, but I still felt like, this is a great chance. Like, let's start here, and we'll see where it takes me. And so I signed my first publishing deal when I was, like, 14. 15. Yeah, yeah. Admin deal, as they would say. And then I signed my first recording contract at 16. So fast forward to. Okay. Signed my deal at Arista Records, was my dream record label. Okay. I wanted to be signed to Arista. And then my first album, I put out goodies. Remember that? Goal sheet, Right? So I got discovered. Check. Okay. And then I wrote down how I was gonna do it going back to that first goal checker offer thingy that I wanted to check off the list. When I did write down how I was gonna get discovered, I was gonna put myself in talent shows. I'm gonna do this, this and this. I went to go sing the national anthem for my high school. And I remember I cracked in the middle of like the air. And I was like, sorry, the monster. And I kept singing like. But I was like, we're starting somewhere. Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

Yo, you think? Sorry.

[Ciara]

Yeah, sorry. It's the sweetest thing that never dies. Yeah. But again, fast forward to sign my deal at 16 years old with Arista. And then I put out Goodies when I was 17, 18 years old. And then that album sold not only through the 4 million, but I sold 5. And then the third goal was to have longevity. And now it's 21 years since my first album, Goodies.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my God. First of all, congratulations. That's incredible.

[Ciara]

Thank you so much.

[Keke Palmer]

And I have to ask because obviously in the midst of all that, things don't go. I mean, so much of this went exactly as you had planned, but then I'm sure there were moments that didn't go exactly as planned, even though they might have gone better or went a different direction. How did you stay faithful in that?

[Ciara]

Oh, my gosh. Faith is the way for me.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

Honestly, that is like single handedly. I would say one of my, I don't want to say superpowers, but one of my superpowers, like internally, like without faith, you know, I don't know where I would be. Like, there's many times where I've wanted to, like, maybe like, you know, I've doubted myself or like something to go how I wanted it to go. And like, I'm like, well, what does that mean? And then you keep trying hard, you keep doing the same thing you know you would. You've done for things to work and it doesn't work. Like, what do you do then?

[Keke Palmer]

That's right.

[Ciara]

So for me, you have to double down on your faith. Right. It's being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, especially when it feels dark. Right. And so that's kind of the only way. That's how I stay up.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, what would you say was that first big moment for you, especially having all this consistent success.

[Ciara]

Oh, my gosh.

[Keke Palmer]

When was the moment where you. Cause on the outside looking in, it's like Ciara's always been Sierra But I'm sure there were moments for you where it's like, oh, this. This changed things. Like, was it after goodies? Was it after that? Okay, yeah.

[Ciara]

When? So, yeah, I remember. I won't necessarily say the song, but I just remember, like, having songs back to back to back be like, number one song in the world, number two song in the world, top five in the world, top ten in the world, back to back. And there was a song that I did that I really loved, but I did it with an artist, and this artist was like, on fire.

[Keke Palmer]

But I think I know what you're talking about. I'm not gonna say it.

[Ciara]

Don't say it.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, I'm not gonna say it.

[Ciara]

Cause I don't want people to like, yeah, yeah, no.

[Keke Palmer]

Yep, yep, yep.

[Ciara]

I'm like, should I say it? Cause I never said it, baby.

[Keke Palmer]

This is Iki Palma.

[Ciara]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

Memorial Day is right around the corner. And there is nothing more special than gathering with the whole family together to honor this, invite important holiday. And baby, I found the perfect way to celebrate. Booking an incredible Airbnb by a lake and throwing something on the grill. So y' all remember my winter ski chalet up in Big Bear with the gag ass? This spot is a year round paradise. I mean, you're waking up to gorgeous lakeside views, breathing in crisp mountain air, all while the smell of barbecue floats up from the deck. That's the kind of magic I'm talking about. The space was everything. We had a massive deck where the grill master could show off their grilling skills, all while the rest of us played cards and splashed in the lake and the game room. Your girl might be a movie star, but everyone can catch these hands when it comes to Ms. Pac Man. Okay, what makes Airbnb so special is how it brings families together, all with more space for the fam to spread out, privacy when you need it, because, you know, sometimes the Palmers need a minute. And locations that hotels could never match. The Memorial Day that's coming up is time to create the precious family memories and moments in a space that feels like home. Whether it's a lakeside retreat like my Big Bear spot or any of Airbnb's most loved homes, these are the places where memories are made. I would love to see it because I think I know as a singer.

[Ciara]

Tell me what song you think it is.

[Keke Palmer]

I don't want to say.

[Ciara]

So now you gotta listen.

[Keke Palmer]

That's the song. Can we say the first letter?

[Ciara]

What does it start with? What is it? Kiki. Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

Is it a few Words?

[Ciara]

Is it a few? It's two words. So you have a different story in your mind? No, no.

[Keke Palmer]

What is it? Tell me. Tell me. Oh, no, you have to tell me, please.

[Ciara]

I have to tell you now?

[Keke Palmer]

You have to tell me now?

[Ciara]

Okay, so here's the deal, because I don't. People take this wrong, okay? But at the time I remember, I've never said this before. I'm like, am I gonna say this? But at the time period I had this song, I feel wrong for singing. I'm very excited for this because I never, like, sing because I don't want people to, like. Okay, So I had this song. Let me just. Let me preface it first, please.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Ciara]

So I had a feature song with an artist who I really loved. Okay. This artist is amazing. And they were on fire. But at this time, they had probably, like, 25 records at radio that were all, like, great records and features. So by time I did it, I was like, 26.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

Okay. And I felt like creatively that wasn't necessarily what I wanted to do at that moment, but, I mean, I loved the record. You know, I was super excited about it and I believed in the record. It was just more so, like, the strategy, timing of, like, guys, this is the best record to do. So you have to say it. But the song, it didn't work so well. And that was Go Girl with T Pain. That was a big moment for me because. And I love T Pain. Like, he's amazing, right? But at that time period, it was like, my label kept saying, you gotta do this. You got. And every feature I've had in my career that I've done was because, like, one. First of all, I wanted to work with him, and we did that. But I've always. I was very intentional about, like, timing and how we were releasing the records. And at that time period, unfortunately, yeah, there was just so many records. So by the time someone goes to radio with a song featuring T Pain, it's like, well, we got.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, right. Yeah. I mean, there's feeling and then there's strategy with music that I think a.

[Ciara]

Lot of times, you know. And so my label really, really pressed me about that, and unfortunately, that didn't work. And it was a bit of a. It was a process after that, like, for me to try to, like, get things back on track. And me and my label just wasn't in sync. We weren't in sync at that time period.

[Keke Palmer]

And I feel like what's so interesting about you is because you always gave sexy and grown but when we met you, you were a kid. You were really young. I mean, how old were you? 17 or when I think I was.

[Ciara]

A baby, I was 17. I came out of high school. Yeah. So 18 years old is when I met you.

[Keke Palmer]

So we also saw you grow up. Like, I remember when your music changed and when I started seeing fashion change and you just became a woman and that impacted your music. I mean, it went from being the Atlanta Princess to the Atlanta grown ass woman. You know what I mean? And we all watched that happen. So I'm sure for you, yeah, sound was changing, music was changing, your relationship with your label was changing. What they expected from you. How did you, like for you, did you always see the North Star of where you are now?

[Ciara]

Like, oh, yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

You did?

[Ciara]

Yeah. Because, you know, it's amazing. That goes back to faith. Yeah, right. Is like, what you don't know is when you have this beautiful dream of what you want to make happen in your life, it looks beautiful. Right? When you dream, dreams are beautiful. Dreams are like big. And they're like perfect. And they're like, it's a dream.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, right.

[Ciara]

It's like a movie. But what you don't think about when you're dreaming big is the in between stuff. And the in between stuff is like, sometimes it's not pretty and it's hard and it's ugly. I mean, ugly. It is so true. Yeah. That's why I named my record label Beauty Marks Entertainment. I had a song called Beauty Marks because I said all the scars you get from the obstacles you face in life are your beauty marks. So that was like my way of looking at my life personally and professionally. Like, you know, God, you're so good. Like, God, you're so faithful. Like, you know, things didn't feel so pretty when I was going through them, but, like, they actually have a way of becoming beautiful. Like, the ugly does turn into pretty because you get so much from it. Right. You gain so much wisdom from it. You get better, you get stronger because of it. And that underlying thing is faith.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes. And what you're talking about is perspective. And sometimes I wish that was something that can bottle up, you know, and just give to people. Because it's like you're not really any different from your heroes. It's the way that you think you've got to be able to control the way you see things, the way you reframe things. And something you said, I think it was in. Was it parents mag in 2025, that being naive in the beginning of your Career benefited you?

[Ciara]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

In what ways? You know, would you say. Because I love that.

[Ciara]

Because I said that, like, when I was this little girl with this big vision, like, I was committed to it. Like, I wasn't thinking about, like, you know, I'm a girl. I'm a young girl. I'm also a black girl.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay.

[Ciara]

I didn't think of any of those things when I walked in rooms. I just thought about what I wanted to do. And I think that having that. What is it? Naivety. How do you say? Naivety?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, Naivety. Yeah.

[Ciara]

Having that perspective and just being so gung ho about what I wanted to do. And when I was told no, no was good for me because I was like, okay, you're gonna wish you said yes. And I was like, okay, well, it pushed me.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

But I think having that perspective allowed me to walk into rooms confidently with my vision, committed to my vision, and to actually make things happen.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes.

[Ciara]

Right. Yes. You know, because if I thought about all these things that you don't know actually can work against you, then I'm already walking to the room with my shoulders down.

[Keke Palmer]

That's right. I think that's so powerful, and I think it's so amazing that something that you teach your girl, you know, because it's like, I felt the same way growing up with my mom now. I was aware of things, but also I felt like that awareness doesn't mean that I have to carry that in the room with me. And I think I still hold onto that naivety as much as I can today. Yeah.

[Ciara]

Well, you know what? It's just simply believing. Because I think about those that have come before me, you know, especially with men in particular, they be committed to the cause.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay. Too committed.

[Ciara]

And they say. They say what they want. They do. No, they do. And it's like, why can't we say what we want? Like, right. Like. Or even if it's a successful woman, like, it's so inspiring when I see a woman do her thing, you know, it's like, I can do that. Right. So to your point, for my girls, I want them to know, like, if you believe in whatever it is that you want to do, you can do it. Right. Listen, it may be hard.

[Keke Palmer]

That's right.

[Ciara]

But you can do it. And so I hope that when they look at me, I'm an example of that. Like, that's.

[Keke Palmer]

How do you think that motherhood impacted you? Because I know for me, like, I thought I was strong and I thought I. You know, but after I had my son, I'M like, whoa, I could do something. Like, so what was something that changed in you that when you started, you know, having your children where you're like, oh, my gosh.

[Ciara]

Oh, my gosh.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm actually this girl.

[Ciara]

Come on now. Yes. Let me tell you, when I look up at these four kids, I be like, I Cece, you're doing. You doing some things. Cece, I'm not gonna lie. Cause these kids, they be tiring me out. I be like, oh, my God, I be tired. I swear. My car is my office. And then sometimes you sit in the car and you think you in pure tranquility, and then one of your kids come knocking on your door. I said, oh, my gosh, it's a kid on every corner in my house. Oh, my God.

[Keke Palmer]

4Kids is a beast.

[Ciara]

I'm not gonna lie. But you know what? When I look up and I see them, I just feel so proud. I feel like you're really doing something. Like, it puts the P in purpose for me, you know? I remember when I had my first baby, when I had future. He was born 9 pound, 10 ounces. Yes, ma' am. And then I said, I was like, you. Like, I was in the kitchen. Like, y' all did that? The doctor said. I said I was like, out of it. I was like, right off the limb. I was like, how much does he weigh? He was like, looks like £9. You know, I said, yeah, I about rose up from that bed. Like, I did what? You know, like. But you feel so proud, like, you know, like it's really a blessing. And I don't know, I just feel motivated, like, you know, to go even harder. That's a lot of work. I'm not gonna lie. Like, being a mom is a full time job.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, it is.

[Ciara]

I don't know if people really understand that, like, you know, even if a mom is a stay at home mom, that is a job. It's true, right?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. You never rest because you're always wondering and worrying and concerned, you know, about that child.

[Ciara]

Listen, you don't sleep.

[Keke Palmer]

Mm. Mm.

[Ciara]

That is a real thing. And let me tell you something, because I say, I got my four precious babies and I got Russ. That's my big baby. Okay, so this how it go in my house. Okay. He wake up at 4:30 every day for football.

[Keke Palmer]

I love that.

[Ciara]

Okay, so we start there and then we got the little ones at 6:30. I'll be like, how? I just had to say, lord, this is my life. So we going, we going, we going to accept that. So then I can accept that I don't get to sleep. Oh, my gosh. But it's such a blessing.

[Keke Palmer]

It is such a blessing. And I mean your music. When I think about how that's impacted your music, you've always, like I said, had sex appeal, whether it was. It was tomboy chic or just going full sexy, love, sex and magic. Do you feel like there was an expectation with your artistry that, oh, now that you have kids or that you're married, that now your music will change, you know, or who you are as an artist should change?

[Ciara]

You know, it's funny. I used to be scared to live my life in full for many years, because in our industry, it was taboo, like, to have a baby made you all of a sudden become old or, like, it's a rap. Like, that was how we kind of came up in the industry.

[Keke Palmer]

That's right.

[Ciara]

You know, so, gosh, I was gonna say.

[Keke Palmer]

I was just, you know, we were going on the thing of, like, how it impact your music now that you.

[Ciara]

Yeah. So now. But the thing is, is that people are living. You have to live. Like, we have to live as, you know, we're human just like anyone else in that regard. And that, to me, makes my life more full.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, right.

[Ciara]

And it's. To me, there's no greater feeling than waking up with the love of my life every day and knowing that he's there and knowing that we're building a family together and we're building a legacy together. I feel so blessed that we're also doing things together, whether it's through our why not yout foundation or, you know, we have three brand.

[Keke Palmer]

Congratulations on that.

[Ciara]

Thank you so much. You know, we have three Brand. You know, Russ's Kids brand with Nike, and, you know, and that's great. And our kids are a part of that. We do the photo shoots together and, you know, and then to just be out here doing my thing and grinding and finding my way, I don't know. You know, it's. I feel empowered.

[Keke Palmer]

And you're empowering so many of us to see that we can do it all, you know, and that's what we need. We love to see that. We love to see each other win because it just continues to raise the bar and say, why not? Why can't I have it all? Why can't I live this full?

[Ciara]

Why not? Like. But doesn't life feel good when you. You come here? You're working so hard, too. Yeah. I've got to give you your flowers. Oh, my God. Stop. No, no, I'm serious. Because you have been doing this for so long, and your face is a baby face forever.

[Keke Palmer]

You ain't.

[Ciara]

No, for real. I'm serious. But you have evolved in such a beautiful way.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my God.

[Ciara]

And when I saw that you were also having your first child, I know what that feeling is like. That is such a blessing. Right? How don't you feel so good when you go home from a hard working day to your baby?

[Keke Palmer]

Yes. And he's here too.

[Ciara]

See what I'm saying?

[Keke Palmer]

Literally, it changed my life. And I think especially with. I'm sure you can relate. Starting so young. And so much of the purpose is just like, who I dream of and how I can be. And you writing that and writing that and writing that. And then that baby comes and you realize it's so much bigger than that and that you had so much more to give and why.

[Ciara]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

And it just changes. It's like, how did y' all try to make people believe that being a mama would make things less. It makes things more.

[Ciara]

No, no, no. Honestly, I'm not gonna lie. Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

Girl, I never felt so sexy.

[Ciara]

You know what I'm saying? Cause I'd be like, I woke up today, I went to the gym, I took my babies to school. Oh. Then I went to a couple of conference calls. Then I got myself a little lunch.

[Keke Palmer]

I know, that's good.

[Ciara]

I kept the day moving. I picked them up from school, took them to baseball, took them to horseback riding. Then I came home and then I saw my man. You know what I'm saying? Oh, she doing that. Like, she's doing that. You know what I'm saying? Oh, my gosh. That's like purpose. Like that is. And I remember running into a few of my friends and them telling me they were like, I wish I would have, you know, actually had more kids. Like, they were telling me that. And that actually really helped me because I'm like, you know, you gotta live, right?

[Keke Palmer]

You got to.

[Ciara]

Because biological time, we can't get it back. And at some point in time, things do slow down. So these kids, you know, that's our legacy. And they are entertaining. It's walking TV shows every day, and everybody got different station with different programming. Oh, yeah. And it's funny and fun.

[Keke Palmer]

My son is on Blippi.

[Ciara]

Oh, my gosh.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm cool with him. Blippi is his Jay Z. Did I tell you?

[Ciara]

Oh, my gosh. Blippi be turning up, up. Blippi. Got the song in your head, right?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

I mean, Listen, we got this.

[Keke Palmer]

Makes me you're single. Run it up where you say, no matter how many points I put up on the board, just believe me, you.

[Ciara]

Know, they don't hate.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm in a league of my own. I'm a wife, I'm a mom. I go pick my kids up in a rave. You ain't gotta worry, you know that we straight.

[Ciara]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

What I mean, you were probably in the energy we were talking about right now when you wrote that song. But I love how we still get that Atlanta Cece. But it's evolved in a new language, in a new environment, and I think that's really.

[Ciara]

Joe, thank you so much. Thank you. Shout out to boss Mandilo.

[Keke Palmer]

Hey, Boss Mandelo.

[Ciara]

Yeah, boss man. Cause he hopped on that record so quick. For me, it's real. Like, that's my life. Right?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

You know, sometimes you. No matter how much you do, somebody gonna always have something to say. And that's just what I've accepted. And I'm okay with that.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, right. You seem so Scorpio, unbothered.

[Ciara]

Come on now. Yeah, you got to be okay. We think about again. I go back to the greats before it's the greater your great, the more they hate. Like, that's a real thing, right?

[Keke Palmer]

Yep.

[Ciara]

And so, so real when they have something to say. That's a good thing. Yeah, it's a good thing.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

Right? So I've really mastered, like, my own personal, like, art of reading commentary girl.

[Keke Palmer]

And that is. Cause you're you.

[Ciara]

You know what I'm saying? You're so sweet.

[Keke Palmer]

Now, I want to just ask quickly about this fifth baby. You know what I mean? Like, do you. When do you know you're ready for it? If you. You know what I mean? Gonna be ready for that, baby. This is Icy palma.

[Ciara]

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[Keke Palmer]

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[Ciara]

We just gonna go where God leads us. You know, I'll be honestly, I'll be honest with you. I, I, I am. I do want to have a fifth baby. Yes, girl, I do. I'm not gonna even, like, skate around. Did I do. I was like, russ, campaign game right now is so strong. And I said, babe, I said, these folks is on your side.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes.

[Ciara]

Now what's going on? Listen, the day I had Amora, our smallest baby, our most recent baby, Amora, I swear, he said something else about a fifth baby. I said, that's disrespectful. You talking about a five baby, and.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm still in the bed.

[Ciara]

Oh, my gosh. No, but honestly, I definitely want to have. I want to have another one for sure.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

Yeah. And we'll see where, like, time takes us. I will tell you this. I am not going away forever. I'm going to be honest. I'm not, because I do this. I keep getting a little older, but I do feel like my youngest self. But that is a real thing, so we'll see what happens.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. What was it about Russell? Because at the time you met him, you were getting out of a situation. How did you know you were open to this great love? Like, did you see that around the corner, or has it surprised you?

[Ciara]

I thought I was gonna be single for a long time before he came into my life. And, you know, there's this saying, when you know, you know. And I'll never forget the day that he Came over to my house because. Okay, so we were gonna. We were gonna go out to eat, like, at a restaurant. But the reality is, is that when you do that in our world.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

People preset the situation for you. So automatically, your boyfriend and girlfriend, you don't even have a chance to date like normal people.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

Because you're savage. Yeah. So we met in private, and I always say. I'm like, you know, we were meeting as friends. He was like, I wanna meet. I wanna come be no friends. You know, he says that to me, but he's like, I don't know what you talking. What you talking about, but, you know. But we were really, you know, building and speaking and talking as friends. And he came over to my house, and at that time, period, my dad was there.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, wow.

[Ciara]

And my son was there. Okay. And I remember calling my best friend Yoli, who's in the room before he came over. It's like, yoli, you know, what do you think? Blah, blah, blah. You know, she's like, it's gonna be fine. Like, you know, it's gonna be. It's okay. Cause I've honestly felt safe out the gate, even from our conversation we've been having. I did. So, you know, he came over and it was. We literally talked on. I forgot to eat. Like, we both forgot to eat. We were supposed to get some food, but the food came much later. But, you know, we talked and it was. It was. He was different. Like, I'm not gonna lie. Like, our conversation just at start. And that moment was different.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Ciara]

And so when he left, you know, I remember calling Yoli, and I said, yoli, it's like, I don't want to jinx anything, but I think he's. And I didn't want to say this, and she. She finished it. She said the one. And I said, yes. And he left my house on the elevator, told his friend at the time that came with him. He said the same exact thing that I said. And so it's just kind of amazing. There's a saying when you know, you know, when you know, you know, and it's different. I was. I literally was saying to someone the other day, you know, I said, listen, you know, in my life, I think I've. As a woman, I've kind of felt the need to preserve sometimes and, like, protecting myself, of course, when it comes to love, not saying that I didn't try, but there was, like, an ounce of, like, protection that I would have. And when you're in this place in life, when you're married, you know, all that's off. Like, it's vulnerable at the highest level. And I said, if I could take a picture, if I could visualize my heart in his hands, right? And he's holding it. He's holding it up, up high, and he's not letting it fall. And so that's the place you want to be in. To me, when it comes to love, like, you got to be able to, you know, to feel that way. And he should feel the same way, right? And so, you know, when you know, you know, and it's. It's honestly a blessing. And I feel like I'm really working towards something every day because we're doing it together. Like, we're in this thing together, right? And so. So I just feel so blessed. I really do. Like, this is all God's working that.

[Keke Palmer]

I really love and receive. And I think it's so good to hear that. And I love when you share that. You don't have to share those personal things, but it's so good for women to hear and guys, too, love on somebody, you know what I'm saying? And have that peace. Yes.

[Ciara]

Listen, if you gonna love love, don't be love bombing. What camera do I talk to? Listen here, y' all. Don't be love bombing. Folks hyping them up to then let them down. Like, male or female, don't do it. Cause it ain't even right. Like, don't be afraid to love. Like, love big, you know, Love big.

[Keke Palmer]

Don't love bomb.

[Ciara]

Don't love it.

[Keke Palmer]

Love big.

[Ciara]

Don't love bomb.

[Keke Palmer]

Something good.

[Ciara]

I like that.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, so 7 11.

[Ciara]

Kiki and Cece.

[Keke Palmer]

Keke and Cece eats. I have to talk about this album because I got a sneak peek. Okay, we're out, and the records are recording. And no one's ever said that before, but they were recording. And I just love that we're getting this album.

[Ciara]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Let's talk about Cece.

[Ciara]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

We're at Cece now. What is that time in between that brought us to this great record?

[Ciara]

Yes. This project has been a labor of love for me. It comes out, as you said, 7 11. I'm excited for that day. And Cece is kind of like that. It's my nickname. And, you know, growing up, people look at little Cece, look at cece, go. But my fans, they also say to me, hey, Cece. Or if I'm on a stage, they'll be like, go, cece, go. Cece, go. And every time I'm like that, lips start Turning up, I start getting real stank with that thing, you know. So CeCe just felt very fitting because to be honest with you, you know, I feel one a genuine and a personal connection with my fans through them calling me cece and just what that nickname has meant to me. But I just want to say thank you to my fans. You know, I've been doing this thing independently. This is my second album release under my label imprint, Beauty Marks Entertainment. And you know, I just want to say thank you to my fans for their support on the journey because they have single handedly held me up like the moment I took the risk and leap of faith to launch Level up, right? That was my first independent release and my fans helped me bypass any approval system that existed because I've been through the journey for many years where you have to get the approval from the CEO of a company or this group has to like it, this marketing team has to like it. That's not fun. So I had the vision, you know, of Level up and what I wanted to do. And within one click of a button, launching it on my platform through my imprint directly to my fans, they said, this is the jam. Like, so for me, my fans are the reason why I stand as an artist. They're the reason they're the backbone to my world as an artist. So I just wanted to say thank you to them on this project and I'm giving them these records that I've been working on for almost, almost five years. They have gotten a taste of some of the records so far. But I'm also here to tell you, Kiki. Okay, so the track list has been. Some people have seen it in this moment of my pre save and pre sell, my, you know, pre download era of cc because the album's not out yet, but that track list is not going to be the same when the album comes out. And wait a minute. Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Are the records I heard.

[Ciara]

Okay, so the records you heard are the correct. You heard the new. Yes, you've heard the new one.

[Keke Palmer]

It's good, y' all.

[Ciara]

She's so sick.

[Keke Palmer]

And I love because I'm getting so many of the different eras and essences of you and it reminds me, goes back, I'm telling you, all the way back to one two step goodies. Oh, all of that. I hear so much. I mean, you also have, you know, lotto, fellow Atlanta native on there, produced by Jazzy Faye. Produced. I mean, you and Jazzy. I mean that sound, you and him, that sound changed everything. Growing up when we were like, who the hell is Ciara like it, you know, So I love on this new album how we get elements of that still evolved, and we're getting new sounds for that represent where we are right now. But I feel the essence of that with the essence of all these other elements that you've brought into your artistry. And so it's really fun. Aw, you got Tyga on there.

[Ciara]

Yes. We actually made our song live on his Twitch together.

[Keke Palmer]

Twitch is something, ain't it?

[Ciara]

No, it. Honestly, it's a whole world. It's a whole. He kept saying, w's in the chat. I'm like, like, what is W's in the chat, girl? I said, I gotta get down with a lingo. Cause you know. Cause it's like a whole nother world in the streaming space. But he is so dope. Such an incredible artist and also an incredible soul. He actually just recently taught me how to play baccarat. Oh. We ran to each other in Vegas and he sat down and like, it's rich people's game. It's so funny. You're so funny. Thank you. But no, it was really fun playing that. But honestly, beyond that, like, we made this song live and the fans were showing so much love. It was W's in the chat.

[Keke Palmer]

W's was in the chat across the.

[Ciara]

Yeah, no Tyga. There's a song I have called Made it, which really, like, speaks to, like, you know, my life in a big way, you know, and people have been showing me so much love on Ecstasy.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. I'm like. I mean, come on. The divine gravity Challenge. Like, I just love how you've always done it, because for me, I remember the. Obviously there's ones who said there's goody. But when ride. My mom walked in, I was with my friend, my best friend. We were in the room, and I was like, she was watching me. She was letting me know if I was hitting it. And I was like, your friend was riding. I'm like, am I doing what cece did? I'm like, am I doing? Do I look like cece? She was like, yes, girl.

[Ciara]

Wait a minute, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

I was in that room for hours.

[Ciara]

You are kidding me.

[Keke Palmer]

You are my.

[Ciara]

Doing too much, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

Bout to the VP.

[Ciara]

Oh, were you?

[Keke Palmer]

I was 16, 17, and I was like, I need to be c. I put the outfit on, girl. It was too much. So you just keep doing it. And there's now a bunch of us on the foldable chairs trying to do the defying gravity. How do you come up with this stuff?

[Ciara]

Let me Tell you, I gotta shout out Taylor Terry. She is this amazing dancer. But I've also known Taylor for some time through my dear friend and creative director, Jamaica Craft.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, Jamaica.

[Ciara]

Jamaica started with me when I was just 14 years old. Okay, so you talk about 24 years in the room with my makeup artist. We're like 26 years. Okay. So she introduced me to Taylor, and then Taylor came through with the choreography. And when I saw the chair dance, I was like, this is insane. I was like, I want to do that. And I thought it was going to be really hard. And then I got into the room and I'm like, okay. I was scared of the chair. I was scared because I'm like, what's going to happen? And then I got on the chair and I was like, oh, my gosh. This is actually really, like, smooth and, like. And so I did it. And it's been amazing to see how people have just loved it and been trying it.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, so you've done it with everybody. I know I gotta let you go soon, but we have to do this because I seen you doing with all the girls. But I figured that we could do the Defying Gravity Challenge and level it up. Like, level up.

[Ciara]

Let's go. I see how you did that, and.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm gonna ask you some questions while we do the Defying Gravity Challenge. But we're gonna level up by putting things on our backs.

[Ciara]

Oh, my gosh.

[Keke Palmer]

As we do it.

[Ciara]

Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

Are you down for this?

[Ciara]

I'm down. I've never done this before. Let's go.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm so excited.

[Ciara]

Yay, baby.

[Keke Palmer]

This is icy Palma.

[Ciara]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

Tell me why Tropical Smoothie Cafe has your girl feeling more blessed than Sierra's Prayer. With only the freshest smoothies bowls and made to order wraps, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is serving exactly what you need to turn your everyday into a mini vacation. Now, they did not come to play, y' all. The naturally sweetened Detox island green Smoothie at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Ooh. It has spinach, kale, mango, pineapple, banana, and fresh ginger. You name it. That Caribbean jerk chicken wrap with the kale and apple slaw upgrade. Ooh, yes. Honey, eating your fruits and veggies has never been this fun. It's serving exactly what I serve at every Met gala. Pure excellence. And don't even get me started on their Chia Oatmeal pudding bowl. You want some morning motivation that balances craveable deliciousness and guilt free indulgence? That's the one. The Chia Oatmeal Pudding bowl with some almonds and fresh strawberries will have you grooving like Normani at 8am so go on, order ahead, take the scenic route and earn rewards with the Tropical Smoothie Cafe app. Download it today or visit tropicalsmoothicafe.com to find a cafe near you. You're on tropic time now at Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

[Ciara]

All right, you ready, Kiki?

[Keke Palmer]

Yes. Okay, guys, me and Sierra are about to do the defying gravity challenge while I ask her these rapid fire questions. I'm already scared.

[Ciara]

Don't be scared.

[Keke Palmer]

And Lauren, my producer, is gonna put stuff on our back.

[Ciara]

Do not go slow. Cause this is a beast to do this alone. Oh, my God.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, so you've collaborated with the greats, but who are you still dying to work with?

[Ciara]

Oh, I want to work with bad bunny.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my. Oh, man.

[Ciara]

Cause I like to learn how to speak Spanish. I'm learning right now. Come on, Pablo Espanol. Maya Mo, Sierra.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay.

[Ciara]

Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

First thing you eat when you back in the a. Ooh.

[Ciara]

I like to get me some good old fried chicken. Candy, yams. What is on my back like that?

[Keke Palmer]

She is really stacking.

[Ciara]

I love my soul food meal.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Me too. I love soul food. Okay, you have four kids. Oh, my gosh. Damn. I'm losing already. Get bread.

[Ciara]

Get the bread. But she's winning.

[Keke Palmer]

You have four kids. Sierra's winning. You have four kids. What's on your baby making playlist?

[Ciara]

Ooh, are we listening to Jojo? And I was like, I'll listen to myself on my list. I like what I'm about to say. What I like on my playlist.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes.

[Ciara]

Ooh, I like songs that don't say a lot of words.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, so she likes ambiance. Are we listening to jazz?

[Ciara]

I like, like, art of noise kind of music.

[Keke Palmer]

Ooh, you're so unique.

[Ciara]

That's a lot of information. Keep getting the teeth.

[Keke Palmer]

The girls are unique.

[Ciara]

Oh, my gosh. What's she about to put on her back now? Okay, a little stapler action.

[Keke Palmer]

Favorite song to perform on tour. Ooh.

[Ciara]

Ooh, isn't it? No. Put it back on the back. Put it back on the back. Come on, put it on the back. Yes. You know what? Lauren ain't stacking it right. That's what's happening.

[Keke Palmer]

That's Lauren.

[Ciara]

No leg either. I'm in flat now. I like performing one, two step. I like performing level up. I like performing goodies. Ooh, yeah. And I can't wait to perform Ex.

[Keke Palmer]

That's going to Be so fun.

[Ciara]

Are you moving your legs or not?

[Keke Palmer]

Yes, I'm moving.

[Ciara]

Oh, you are? Okay, I have not been one leg. I've been out here. Straight leg.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay. Football season or award season?

[Ciara]

Ooh, football. Ooh, that's.

[Keke Palmer]

Do you like being a wag?

[Ciara]

I like football.

[Keke Palmer]

We are so intimate right now. Oh, my gosh.

[Ciara]

Okay, what else is that?

[Keke Palmer]

You're the hottest wag ever.

[Ciara]

Okay, so sweet.

[Keke Palmer]

Date night. In or out? Y' all love going out?

[Ciara]

Oh, it depends. I love going out. I love eating.

[Keke Palmer]

But I feel like you're such a date. Fun date in person. You probably do something like making sushi. Yes.

[Ciara]

I'm not moving, Jack.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, last one.

[Ciara]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes, baby.

[Ciara]

Cinco. I do like sushi, by the way.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, I saw you make it once.

[Ciara]

I do like Mexican food. I think I'm Mexican.

[Keke Palmer]

Me too. I do think I'm Mexican too.

[Ciara]

For real.

[Keke Palmer]

Shout out to our Mexican folks. Love y' all. Hola, baby.

[Ciara]

Cinco boy or girl?

[Keke Palmer]

Oh.

[Ciara]

Oh, whatever.

[Keke Palmer]

God has. I love that.

[Ciara]

Hey, what is all those in our back right now?

[Keke Palmer]

Everything.

[Ciara]

And now we got a glass of water's on the back. Not yet. We just kept it. Cute.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh.

[Ciara]

Do we nail it? Okay, wait, let me see. Give me that money. Okay, hand me the mug.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my.

[Ciara]

Give me the mug right here. Cause it says, what's the tea? Right.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Me too.

[Ciara]

What's the tea?

[Keke Palmer]

What's tea?

[Ciara]

Come on, what's the tea? Let's go, baby. Ooh. Ooh. Yes, ma' am.

[Keke Palmer]

We nailed it.

[Ciara]

You're my girl. You my fan.

[Keke Palmer]

Ooh, y' all, that was a time. Now I might be sore from defying gravity tomorrow, but it's okay. It's so clear why Ciara has been in the game for what, more than two decades? She's taken risks, ignored others expectations, and consistently bet on herself. That's that Cece energy. Honey, I think sometimes we feel like things are out of our hands or that we need to wait for permission to get what we want in life. But by living with intention, we become the masters of our own stories. And as we evolve, grow older, get into relationships, or become parents, those intentional decisions we make only unlock. Unlock more potential for greatness. Now that's T, Boo. I hope y' all enjoyed and I'll see you next time. Because you know it's your girl. Baby, this is.

[Ciara]

This is Kiki.

[Keke Palmer]

Baby, this is Kiki Palma.

[Ciara]

Yeah.

[C]

Everyone has that friend who seems kind of perfect for Patty. That friend was Desi with until One.

[Ciara]

Day I texted her and she was not getting the text so I went to Instagram. She has no Instagram anymore. And Facebook. No Facebook anymore.

[C]

Desiree was gone and there was one person who knew the answer.

[Keke Palmer]

I am a spiritual person, a magical person, a witch.

[C]

A gorgeous Brazilian influencer called Kat Torres, but who was hiding a secret from wandering. Based on my smash hit podcast From Brazil comes a new series, Don't Cross Cat about a search that led me to a mystery in a Texas suburb.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm calling to check on the two.

[Ciara]

Missing Brazilian girls, maybe get some undercover crew there. The family are freaking out. They are lost.

[C]

I'm Chico Felitti. You can listen to Don't Cross Cat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[D]

Lamont Jones world is shattered when his cousin dies in custody just weeks after entering prison. The official report says natural causes, but bruises and missing teeth tell a different story. From Wondery comes Death County, Pennsylvania, a chilling true story of corruption and cover ups that begins as one man search for answers but soon reveals a disturbing pattern. Lamont's cousin's death is just one of many and powerful force forces are working to keep the truth buried. With never before heard interviews and shocking revelations, Death County, Pennsylvania pulls back the curtain on one of America's darkest institutional secrets. This isn't just another true crime story. It's happening right now. Follow Death County PA on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes of Death County PA early and ad free right now by joining Wondery Plus.