The Bert Show – “Vault: Rihanna Joins The Show” (January 27, 2026)
Podcast: The Bert Show
Host: Pionaire Podcasting (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy & cast)
Guest: Rihanna
Theme: An intimate, candid conversation with Rihanna about fame, media scrutiny, personal style, touring, and life outside the spotlight.
Episode Overview
The Bert Show welcomes international superstar Rihanna for a lively morning chat. Despite missing her Atlanta studio appearance due to lost luggage, Rihanna joins the crew via phone right down the street, keeping the vibe relaxed and open. The episode covers her current career trajectory, her tour with Kanye West, navigating celebrity rumors, her evolving sense of style, and maintaining roots to her home in Barbados.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Rihanna’s Lost Luggage & Travel Woes
- Rihanna couldn’t come to the studio as planned because her luggage—with all her clothes, shoes, and makeup—didn’t arrive in Atlanta.
- “I put everything in one suitcase, and this is why I’m so mad, because I put everything in one suitcase that didn’t make it.” (Rihanna, 01:08)
- She remains hopeful it will arrive before leaving for the Bahamas for a festival show.
2. Touring with Kanye West
- Rihanna shares excitement and initial reservations about her upcoming tour with Kanye West.
- “When I heard the lineup, it was kind of more of a urban leading show…Kanye, he called me. He convinced me to do it.” (Rihanna, 02:08)
- She’s enthusiastic about the tour’s “Glow in the Dark” theme:
- “There’s a really cool theme behind it. Everything is glow in the dark. So there’s gonna be some really cool costumes and glow in the dark things on stage.” (Rihanna, 03:03)
3. Rising to Fame and Industry Recognition
- Reflects on her rapid rise since her 2005 debut:
- “It’s crazy. There’s got to be times where this just feels a little overwhelming to you.” (Bert, 03:38)
- Named one of the ten most powerful girls in Hollywood by US Weekly:
- “I remember reading the article, and I just. I was blown away…that’s insane.” (Rihanna, 03:44)
- She admits to feeling pressure to always do better:
- “Every time I go a little further in my career, the pressure gets…more intense, because you just have to keep—you want to make it better every time.” (Rihanna, 04:13)
- Describes herself as a workaholic:
- “If not by choice, sometimes by force. But I am always…I’m always working. When I’m not working, I’m thinking about working and missing work.” (Rihanna, 04:52)
4. Grammy Nominations and Performance Anxiety
- Rihanna is up for six Grammys (“Umbrella” & “Good Girl Gone Bad”) and will be performing with the Time (1980s band).
- “I can’t expect anything…Nothing is promised, and I hate being disappointed.” (Rihanna, 05:55)
- “It’s so nerve-wracking. I mean, you perform in front of thousands of people every night, but the minute the crowd is people that do what you do…it puts so much pressure on you.” (Rihanna, 06:45)
5. Media Rumors and Public Perception
- On rumors of tension with Beyoncé:
- “I don’t really address it because it’s kind of ignorant to me…Me and Beyoncé have no beef.” (Rihanna, 07:53)
- Stresses the strength and stability of both women in ignoring negative media narratives.
- On relentless tabloid attention regarding her romantic life:
- “Sometimes when I read those gossip sites and I read the comments—oh my gosh, I want to kill myself by the time I finish…It gets very depressing after you read what people have to say.” (Rihanna, 09:36)
- “Within the space of a month, I read about four to five different guys and I was just like, oh my gosh, I’m one person. How many people do you want to pair me up with?” (Rihanna, 10:55)
- She admits to reading rumors, ignoring most, and maintaining honesty:
- “Along the way when they get it right, I always admit it…But if it’s a rumor, it’s definitely a rumor.” (Rihanna, 13:04)
6. Influence on Style and Image
- Talks about her iconic bob and newly cut pixie haircut.
- “Very, very crazy. Cool…But I just cut my hair again. It’s a lot shorter than the bob now. It’s kind of a pixie haircut.” (Rihanna, 13:31)
- Fashion decisions are collaborative with her hairstylist—never just for sex appeal.
- “We kind of put pieces together. Like, we like the front of this one, like the back of that one…we kind of just create our own thing.” (Rihanna, 14:16)
- On whether she’s intentionally cultivating a sexy image:
- “I’m not purposely trying to be sexy…It’s all a theme behind everything…just being me, being different.” (Rihanna, 20:20)
- Addresses rumors of a nude photoshoot and maintains her boundaries about how far she’ll go in public imagery.
7. Connection to Barbados
- Misses home, despite encountering jealousy from some back in Barbados.
- “There are the people who are extremely happy for me, who are thrilled…and then there are the people who can’t stand me. But you get that everywhere you go.” (Rihanna, 15:06)
- “I can’t let the few negative people run me away. I really miss home…I wish I was there.” (Rihanna, 15:58)
- Explains the relaxed club culture and drinking age on the island.
- “In Barbados…the club that…they decide their age limit…there’s no, like, age limit.” (Rihanna, 16:57)
- Corrects American misconceptions about her home country.
- “I’ve definitely been asked if I have inside bathrooms before…Barbados is a very developed, tiny little place.” (Rihanna, 17:45)
8. Role Model Status and New Projects
- On being a health role model as part of the Body by Milk campaign:
- “I thought it was a good way of getting young people health conscious again…It’s someone that they can relate to, and …bring that back.” (Rihanna, 18:48)
- Teases interest in movies and fashion in addition to music:
- “Movies, fashion. I want to get into a few things, actually.” (Rihanna, 21:19)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On dealing with disappointment:
“Nothing is promised, and I hate being disappointed. So I don’t want to keep my hopes up…I just keep my fingers crossed, keep praying and hoping.” (Rihanna, 05:55) -
On keeping grounded:
“You cannot ever please everybody, and you just have to let it go. People are always going to say negative stuff about you. It comes with the territory.” (Rihanna, 09:36) -
On rumors about Beyoncé:
“I don’t really address it because it’s kind of ignorant to me…they still want to believe it because it’s a rumor.” (Rihanna, 07:53) -
On inspiration and performance:
“The minute the crowd is people that do what you do…it puts so much pressure on you. You just start to freak out…I’m shaking. It’s crazy.” (Rihanna, 06:45) -
On new artistic directions:
“We just wanted to have something new and different for 2008, and so we cut my hair even shorter.” (Rihanna, 14:02)
Timestamps of Key Segments
- 00:24 — Rihanna joins the show (phone, luggage lost)
- 02:01 – 03:13 — Discusses joining Kanye West’s “Glow in the Dark” tour
- 03:13 – 04:52 — Talks rising fame, being named a “powerful girl,” and workaholism
- 05:42 – 07:15 — Six Grammy nominations, nerves before performing, industry pressure
- 07:45 – 09:19 — Addressing Beyoncé rumors, standing firm against media narratives
- 09:36 – 12:38 — The cost of media/fan gossip, called “slut”; how tabloid stories begin
- 13:19 – 14:49 — Hair evolution (bob to pixie), fashion choices, celebrity influence
- 14:49 – 17:34 — Identity and life in Barbados, dealing with “hometown jealousy”
- 18:37 – 20:56 — Role model work: Body by Milk, racy photoshoots, family opinions
- 21:02 – 21:19 — Hints at new music, possible moves into movies & fashion
Tone & Style
Candid, humorous, and down-to-earth. Rihanna is both charismatic and introspective, offering honesty about the highs and lows of pop stardom, and displaying maturity in handling both success and criticism. The hosts’ playful banter keeps the atmosphere light while pressing for substantial insights.
This episode gives fans a relatable glimpse into Rihanna’s world—her artistic process, public and private identities, and the realities of maintaining sanity and authenticity in a media-driven industry.