Best of BFFR: Alyssa Thompson's New Accent, Hayley Kiyoko's Meet Cute & Lilly Singh's Gay Met Gala

Podcast: BFFR with Sydney Leroux & Ali Riley
Hosts: Sydney Leroux, Ali Riley
Original Air Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This "Best of BFFR" episode compiles favorite moments and insightful conversations from a diverse roster of recent guests, including Alyssa Thompson, Riley Tiernan, Lilly Singh, Sarah Gordon, Hayley Kiyoko, and Becca Tilley. Hosts Sydney and Ali deliver their signature blend of candid talk, humor, and real-life on/off-field stories featuring everything from travel and training adjustments to personal identity, fashion, community, and the joy/chaos of life in the women’s soccer universe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Athlete Journeys & Adjustments

• Navigating New Environments: Riley Tiernan reflects on the challenge of joining a new team:
  • “I feel like the hardest adjustment has just been, like, coming into training and not knowing everyone and them not knowing me as well as everyone on the team knew me.” (00:57)
  • She highlights the differences in facilities and routines, missing her previous team's big spaces but appreciating the crisp field in her new setting.
• Building Connections:
  • Riley tries to keep her love for TikTok alive but struggles to find fellow TikTokers:
    • “I'll try to convince them to do more, like, easy ones, because I feel like they'll be okay with those ones.” (05:36)

2. Cultural Adaptation & British Slang

• Riley’s playful take on UK life, including the influence of "Love Island," and her attempt at a British accent:
  • “What's happening? You all right?” (07:06)
  • Expressions like "fussy" instead of "picky" amuse the group.
  • Discussion of UK-based celebrities she hopes to meet:
    • “Definitely Central C, like, for sure.” (07:51)

3. Jersey Pride & Regional Differences

• Conversation on the nuances of being a "Jersey girl" and differences between North and South Jersey:
  • “South Jersey are, like, gritty and, like, tough and, like, blue collar... North Jersey's a little bit softer.” (08:51)
  • The legendary pork roll vs. Taylor ham debate (09:41)
  • Memories of the Jersey Shore and the unique character it brings.

4. Community, Support, & Investment in Women’s Sports

Lilly Singh on Angel City:

• Shares her journey to becoming a dedicated Angel City investor:
  • “People always are like, did you grow up playing soccer?…I really don't even know the rules of the game. You know this. I don't really know the rules, but I will blindly support girls and women.” (14:09)
• Emphasizes the ripple impact of supporting women in sports:
  • “Sports is the intervention that we don't give enough credit to… it teaches girls and women such important skills.” (15:00)
• Discusses the inclusive, electrifying environment at Angel City games, loving how it brings people together:
  • "Everyone I bring…they all say the same thing. They're like, this is such a positive, just warm environment. And that's very unique for a sporting event." (17:00–18:00)

Notable Quote:

• Lilly Singh: “I don't do anything half assed. If I do something I do to the fullest of my ability.” (13:18)

5. Personal Identity, Names, and Heritage

• Discussion with Hayley Kiyoko on her decision to change her jersey name to “Marley,” reflecting on her father’s encouragement and the cultural/personal significance:
  • “In African culture, in the Congo... they can, like, just gift a name instead of, like, having a name passed down…” (21:16)
  • The bittersweet transition from "Williams" to "Marley," and the process of updating her signature.

6. The Angel City “Gay Met Gala” and Celebrity Stories

• Lilly Singh describes game days as the “gay Met Gala”—a celebration of inclusivity and community in women’s soccer.
• She recalls bringing high-profile guests (like Zed, Poorna Jagannathan) to Angel City games, aiming to normalize and elevate women’s sports.

Notable Moment:

• Lilly Singh: “If anyone is performing in any capacity…they’re going to get 100% of this energy because I know it…makes the difference when you’re…fueled by the energy around you.” (15:00)

7. Love Stories & Meet Cutes

• Becca Tilley and Hayley Kiyoko share the story of how they met (26:01), initially under the pretense of Becca setting up Hayley with her younger sister, only to become romantically involved themselves.
  • “So then the whole night, she kept asking our friend…‘is Becca into girls?’... I just knew. I thought she was really cute. I liked her confidence...” (27:23–28:43)

8. Fashion, Self-Expression, and Team Style

• Sarah Gordon is celebrated as Angel City’s unofficial style icon:
  • “I just love the form of self expression that it brings. It's like walking art when you put your outfit together.” (34:28)
• Honest fashion critique session of coach Alex’s evolving looks, offering playful but serious fashion feedback (40:14–44:28).

9. Athlete Motherhood & Club Support

• Becca Tilley reflects on pregnancy while playing and the increased support provided by the club and league:

  • “I never felt like I had to pick between my career and having a baby...” (46:51)

• Notable support moments: surprise ultrasound sessions at the training facility, and discussions about paving the way for younger players.

10. Appreciation for Pioneers & Mentors

• Just Women’s Sports founder recounts the media company’s origins and Ali Riley’s vital role in restoring its Instagram account after a takedown:
  • Quan Nguyen: “And like, yeah, you saved just women's sports.” (58:48)

Notable Quote:

• Ali Riley: "People who are just like, yes. Random girl who, like, I guess we went to the same school. I'll take your call. And yes, I'll help you out. And like, yeah, you say JW as Duda." (58:55)

11. Growth of Women’s Soccer and Quarter-Life Crises

• Celebration of NWSL’s growth, more broadcast visibility, and a reflection on career/life transitions for millennial and Gen Z women.

  • “We're kind of the first generation that has the level of mobility and access that we do. And, like, for the first time ever, we're, like, living alone, putting off motherhood, putting off marriage.” (67:12)

12. Penalty Shootouts — Mindset and Preparation

• Insight into the psychology and preparation goalkeepers undertake for penalty shootouts, the memorization of kicker tendencies, and the emotional toll:
  • "It's a cruel part of the game. It's a horrible way to lose... but the more that you can be in the moment... it's like, you won't get, like, put into a trance a little bit..." (68:56–71:59)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Riley Tiernan: “You have a vintage jersey now.” (23:30)
• Ali Riley (re: Jersey Shore): “Snooki. Something Snooki posted came up and I was like, oh my gosh, the Jersey Shore. I haven't thought about that in 20 years. I bet nobody even knows Jersey Shore. And it was like liked by Riley Tiernan!” (12:21)
• Sarah Gordon: “It's like walking art when you put your outfit together.” (34:28)
• Becca Tilley: On training while pregnant: “I actually feel great... I just feel a bit bigger and like bending over now like to put my stays on is a wee bit like, oh, I can't really squash the baby here...” (45:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Begins (MM:SS) | |----------------------------------------------|---------------| | Riley Tiernan on New Teams | 00:57 | | British Slang & Accent Attempts | 06:28 | | Jersey Identity & Pork Roll Debate | 08:51 | | Lilly Singh on Angel City Investment | 13:06 | | Hayley Kiyoko on Name Change | 21:16 | | Becca x Hayley “Meet Cute” | 26:01 | | Sarah Gordon on Fashion | 33:52 | | Coach Alex Style Critique | 39:52 | | Pregnancy and Support in Soccer | 45:01 | | Founding Just Women’s Sports Story | 53:03 | | NWSL Awards & Growth of the League | 59:08 | | Young Women & Quarter-Life Crisis | 67:12 | | On Penalty Shootouts | 68:56 |

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is fun, open, and a mix of heartfelt confessions, playful banter, and thoughtful reflection. It carries an unfiltered, supportive, and community-focused spirit—whether it’s about surviving career transitions, authentic self-expression, or simply sharing the joys (and messiness) of life as pro athletes, friends, and public figures.

Final Thoughts

This “Best of” installment is a rich sampler of everything BFFR offers: laughter, vulnerability, solidarity, and a view into the real lives and personalities driving the culture of women’s sports and beyond. Whether you’re here for the TikTok drama, the tales from the Jersey Shore, or deep dives into names, love, and legacy, you’ll find plenty of memorable moments and powerful takeaways.

Hosts and team wish every listener a happy holiday and a fantastic new year! (73:51)