The Bert Show: Vault — Avril Lavigne Joins The Show

Podcast by Pionaire Podcasting
Episode Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively Vault episode, The Bert Show welcomes pop-punk superstar Avril Lavigne and her guitarist Evan for a candid, engaging conversation. The team dives into Avril’s experiences on tour, the realities of fame and media rumors, working with producer Butch Walker, songwriting, and the daily grind of the music industry—all with the show’s trademark humor, authenticity, and warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life on Tour: Exhaustion & Routine

• Early Mornings, Always on the Move: Avril and Evan discuss the demanding morning routines of radio tours—often waking up early, visiting radio stations, performing their single, then moving on to the next city.
  • Avril: "We just woke up... we usually get up and do a bunch of radio stations and we play the new single, Don't Tell Me, acoustically and do a bunch of interviews and then go to the mall and then go to the next city..." (02:06)
  • Evan: "We're still sleeping." (02:16)
  • Avril: "There are some days where you wake up and you have no idea what city you're in... yeah, all the time." (02:33)

2. Media Rumors & Reputation Management

• Rumor Control on Alleged ‘Diva’ Moments: Host recounts reading rumors of Avril’s “fits” in interviews, including allegedly ripping posters down and feuding with Hilary Duff.
  • Radio Host: "We're getting all sorts of... reports of you being in interviews and snapping and pulling posters off the walls." (03:06)
  • Avril: "Wow. See how people can really manipulate a situation?" (03:37)
• Setting Her Own Record Straight:
  • Avril explains the Boston poster incident: She was asked by a radio host to rip down a bad photo; it was not a tantrum.
    • Avril: "He told me to tear it down... It wasn't like I was throwing a temper tantrum." (03:48)
    • Avril: "I love how people just try to make you, like, sound like one way or another, like, so annoying. But anyway, yeah, he told me. He's like, rip it down. So I did..." (04:20)
  • On the Hilary Duff Feud: Details how misattribution and internet gossip spiraled the situation out of control.
    • Avril: “There was a quote that I didn’t even say... and they asked her opinion on it... and then I said she needs to shut her mouth. ‘Cause she’s a giddy giddy and a mommy’s girl, and it’s not her place to talk about me or I’ll have to shut her mouth for her.” (05:02)

3. Navigating Fame & Trust in Media

• Distrust Developed Early: Avril describes her learned caution with the media due to how her words have been twisted.
  • Avril: “That's why a lot of times in interviews, I'm very, like—I hold myself back ... because people can take what you say and make it sound like you meant it in a completely different way than you did.” (07:02)
  • Evan (supporting): “Just every once in a while, you know, if an interviewer pushes her, you know what I mean? ...Sometimes they...corner you.” (08:10, 08:17)
• Lessons from the “Anti-Britney” Label:
  • Avril: “When I first came out, I was like, Britney Spears dresses like a showgirl, blah, blah, blah... then it was everywhere... and then I was like from the beginning on, from there on I was like the anti-Britney.” (08:30)
  • Avril: “I was like 17... one of my first interviews... it was everywhere and my parents were like, why did you say that? Because I cursed in it.” (09:08)

4. Songwriting & Collaboration with Butch Walker

• Working with Butch Walker:
  • Avril and Evan detail collaborating with Atlanta producer Butch Walker—especially the songs “Don’t Tell Me” and "My Happy Ending."
    • Avril: "Butch is awesome... he's like an amazing producer... Evan and I wrote this song, 'Don't Tell Me,' like a couple years ago before 'Complicated' was even out... he produced it and did an awesome job." (09:29)
    • Avril: "My second single is probably going to be called 'My Happy Ending,' and that's a song that Butch and I wrote together and he produced." (10:09)
• Recording, Songwriting Credits & Creative Control:
  • Avril: "I co-wrote on every song last album, this album I had a co-writer with me for every song as well." (10:29–10:35)
  • She withheld new material from the label until songs were finished to avoid pressure:
    • Avril: "I was just like, okay, I don't want people making a big deal of this. I don't want to feel any pressure... so I decided to just like write my songs and record them, and then when they were pretty much done, then I gave... songs to them to listen to." (10:45)

5. The Realities of the Music Industry

• Evolving Perspective on Promotion:
  • Early reluctance has shifted to a more practical outlook.
    • Avril: "I have a better understanding now as to why I have to do [interviews] all the time. And I really, you know, want my music out there... interviews and stuff like that are important..." (11:41)
  • However, the core love is always creating and performing, not self-promotion.
    • Radio Host: “You would just rather just do the music, go in the studio, do it and then just leave me alone.” (12:08)
    • Avril: "I guess I just thought it would kind of be like, oh, writing songs and recording them and then going on stage and performing and being in a tour bus. But there's so much more..." (12:15)
• Balancing Work & Joy:
  • Avril: “At the end of the day, when we finally get to perform... it was totally worth it... you work to get what you want and... do all this so that we can be up on stage...” (12:59)
• Greatest Comfort Zone:
  • Radio Host: “Is that where you’re most comfortable—on stage, or… in a studio... writing songs?” (13:27)
  • Avril: “I’m pretty comfortable with all...” (13:33)
• Band Dynamics:
  • Radio Host: “So the rest of the band gets to stay home... but you’re the one recruited to go work really hard.” (02:53)
  • Evan: "Yeah, but I love it." (02:58)

6. Live Acoustic Performance – “Don’t Tell Me”

Timestamp: 13:46–17:09

• Avril and Evan perform an intimate acoustic version of “Don’t Tell Me,” showcasing Avril’s vocal style and the chemistry with her guitarist.
  • Standout lyric delivered with defiance:
    "Don't try to tell me what to do and don't try to tell me what to say / You're better off that way / I'm better off alone." (16:51–17:09)

Notable Quotes

• On media misrepresentation:
  • Avril: “Wow. See how people can really manipulate a situation?” (03:37)
  • Avril: “I love how people just try to make you, like, sound, like, one way or another, like, so annoying. But anyway, yeah, he told me.” (04:20)
• On the endless rumor mill:
  • Avril: “Some guy said he was doing an interview with me, and I spit on him, and I walked out. I was like, I never did that.” (06:19)
• On lessons from early fame:
  • Avril: “I was like 17 and it was one of my first interviews and it was everywhere and my parents were like, why did you say that? Because I cursed in it.” (09:08)
• On creative autonomy:
  • Avril: “I don't think that's a bad thing... I want to go and write my songs and record them and I don't want to be like finishing songs and giving them to the label right away.” (10:45)
• On the grind and reward of pop stardom:
  • Avril: “Your days are full... I'm not complaining... it's work and everyone has to, you know, work...” (12:15)

Key Timestamps

• 02:04: Avril (and Evan) greet the hosts; discuss the touring grind.
• 03:06–05:29: Avril addresses persistent rumors (Boston poster, Hilary Duff, general media fabrication).
• 07:02: Avril shares her media distrust and caution.
• 08:30–09:08: Early days labeled "anti-Britney"; candid reflection on her 17-year-old self.
• 09:29: Description of collaborative work with Butch Walker and songwriting process.
• 11:41–12:08: Avril reflects on her attitude toward interviews and promotion.
• 13:46–17:09: Acoustic performance of “Don’t Tell Me.”
• 17:09–17:24: Show wraps up with thanks and praise.

Memorable Moments

• Raw honesty: Avril’s frankness throughout, especially about media manipulation and the realities of balancing her art with the demands of promotion.
• Playful banter: Evan’s dry humor supports Avril, easing tense moments.
• Stripped-down performance: The acoustic “Don’t Tell Me” reminds listeners of Avril’s unique voice and direct lyricism.
• Self-awareness and evolution: Avril’s reflection on personal growth from 17 to 19—how she’s learned to manage her image while holding onto her authenticity.

Episode Tone

Youthful, humorous, and candid—with moments of both vulnerability and defiant strength. Avril and Evan exude a down-to-earth vibe, balancing career gripes and gratitude; the hosts keep the mood light while prompting thoughtful responses.

This episode is a snapshot of Avril Lavigne at the height of her early-2000s fame, giving both fans and newcomers a front-row seat to the unfiltered reality behind the headlines.