The Breakfast Club Podcast: Ciara Opens Up About Family, Independent Artistry, Russell Wilson, Rihanna, New Music + More

Date: August 22, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne tha God, Lauren LaRosa
Guest: Ciara

Episode Overview

This episode features multi-platinum artist Ciara, who joins The Breakfast Club to discuss her new independent album “Cece,” family life as Russell Wilson’s partner, navigating motherhood and a music career, the realities of independent artistry, her evolving relationship with public perception—including memorable moments with hosts—and cherished collaborations. Ciara’s conversation offers a candid look at her journey, the lessons learned in music and business, the importance of ownership and community, and her vision for legacy and love.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Reflections and Warmth (02:19–06:18)

• DJ Envy shares a heartfelt story about his daughters dancing for Ciara and the importance of representation for Black kids in dance.
  • Ciara: “I went home and told Russ, I said, babe, these girls... my daughter Cena was there watching them, and I love that she was seeing a girl that looked like her watching your daughters do what they were doing.” (04:28)
• Playful banter about past interactions; Ciara reflects on not holding onto negativity from previous interviews.
  • Ciara: “When you got your energy in a certain place, you can't remember everything crazy that someone does to you or says about you.” (05:01)
• Charlamagne apologizes for his old “Ciara had the crickets” joke.
  • Charlamagne tha God: “It was what I used to say: Rihanna had the navy, Beyoncé had the beehive, and Ciara had the crickets.” (06:04)
  • Ciara: “That's crazy. Well, but crickets are chirping loud, ain't they? Period.” (06:11)

2. Life Changes: Moving to New York & Football (06:19–09:27)

• Ciara discusses her family's move to New York for Russell Wilson's new NFL journey, how her perspective on the city has evolved, and finding community for her kids.
• On supporting Russell:
  • Ciara: “It's organized chaos in our house … But we're having fun right now and I really love football too.” (08:48)

3. Relationship & Public Perception (09:27–11:41)

• Ciara addresses being in the headlines for her relationship:
  • Ciara: “I'm out here living … a part of living in front of the world is people—you're going to be open to people having opinions.” (09:36)
• Being a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and artist—embracing all aspects.

4. The 'Cece' Album: Personal and Independent (10:19–13:33)

• The significance of her album name “Cece,” her lifelong nickname, and its personal connection.
  • Ciara: “It's really more so just my token of appreciation … to have the level of support that I've had is like... just such a blessing.” (11:38)

Independent Grind & Ownership (11:41–13:33)

• The freedom and work intensity of being independent.
  • Ciara: “There's nothing better than owning your masters, right? … There's nothing better than ownership.” (11:51)
  • “Now I get to reap my full benefits of when I do take that big risk and make that big bet. So I like it this way.” (12:49)

5. Music Industry: Challenges & Resilience (13:49–16:01)

• Ciara recounts being underestimated by a label CEO and the satisfaction of her single “Level Up” succeeding afterward.
  • Ciara: “I ran into him shortly after Level Up took off... he was lost for words.” (14:07)
• On facing rejection and the importance of self-belief.
  • Ciara: “No matter how successful you are, you’re still going to hear someone say no or you can’t—that’s just what comes with it.” (15:01)

6. Redefining Success, Adaptation & Purpose (16:01–18:04)

• On “being slept on” and staying sane:
  • Ciara: “The most important thing for me is that when it's all said and done, do I have my sanity? … What is your definition of wealth? Mine is health … my joy, my sanity.” (16:07)
• Adapting through eras in music:
  • “I learned that... I'm built for it, I know I'm walking in my purpose. I think my purpose is greater than music.” (17:15)
• The family’s “Why Not You” foundation—service as part of her purpose.

7. Career Reinventions and Notable Songs (18:04–20:33)

• Looking back: “Goodies,” “Promise,” “Level Up.”
  • On “Promise”: “The CEO was like, ‘This is the worst R&B record.’ … and that week I came out… had my first number one album.” (18:41)
• “Level Up” as a moment of dancing through pregnancy, viral success, and independent risk.

8. New Music, Visuals, and Collaborations (20:33–22:34)

• Visuals for new tracks, filming “Dance of Me” with Tyga and Russell Westbrook.
• Upcoming deluxe album, “Low” feat. Diamond Platnumz.

9. Creative Process and Family Collaboration (22:34–23:58)

• Keeping music selection intentional; relying on husband Russell Wilson’s creative input.
  • “The thing about Russ that I don't think people know is, like, he actually has really incredible ideas that he'll throw my way.” (23:27)
• Russ’s hidden dance moves and playful anecdotes.

10. Public Critique of Russell Wilson & Blended Family (24:22–29:05)

• On “Russell Wilson is corny” critique:
  • Ciara: “Why would I even respond to that? … He's the most amazing human being you could know, the smartest, most intelligent Black man that I have ever known.” (24:32)
• The beauty of a blended family and not engaging in negativity.
  • “There’s beauty in love. … is the child being loved, how they should be loved. That’s all that matters.” (28:10)

11. Black Community, Sisterhood & Collective Uplift (35:09–38:26)

• On Black women’s evolution in entertainment and the need for community support.
  • Ciara: “The more we can support each other, the better we will be… let’s lift each other up, like, in our big moments. Let's celebrate.” (37:39)

12. The Independent Route: Business Insights (46:46–56:51)

• Walking out of a label meeting with her masters for free as a signal of the industry's disbelief—and her faith in herself.
  • “That alone lets you know how much they didn't believe... But it was the best thing that could have happened.” (50:51)
  • Breakdown of royalty splits, the pitfalls of traditional contracts, the value of self-management and lean teams.
  • “I love something that would never love me back how I love it. Damn music will never give me back what I give to it.” (54:30)

13. Navigating the Music Industry, Legacy & Mentorship (57:43–63:13)

• Surviving label changes, leveraging industry relationships, and mentors (shoutouts to Monty Olsen).
• “I'm not doing anything differently than I was doing when I was signed. The difference is just I own my stuff.” (60:46)
• Shoutouts to collaborators on the new album: Lil Baby, Tyga, Frida, Lotto, Diamond Platnumz, Rob 49, Bossman DLo, Molly, Oxlade, et al.

14. Motherhood, Family, and Work-Life Balance (62:23–74:41)

• Balancing motherhood and stardom; support from Russell Wilson.
  • “I've never had to split the two, because that just wouldn't make sense for me where I am right now.” (67:14)
• On motherhood’s impact on definition of success:
  • “Being a mom puts the P in purpose for me. … I think oftentimes in our world, you're constantly chasing success that you forget to live.” (72:58, 73:23)
• Insights and jokes on parenting, discipline, cooking, and plans for more children.

15. Relationships, Friends, and Support Systems (76:31–79:56)

• Responding to the public viewing her relationship as “goals.”
  • “I think it's sweet... we're just like everybody else trying to figure out life… but we do have each other. It's a blessing.” (76:39)
• Maintaining friendships through public divorces (Lala, Kim Kardashian) and supporting each other through ups and downs.

16. Music, BET, and Industry Frustrations (80:06–83:07)

• On being left out of the BET 106 & Park tribute:
  • “Nobody even reached out. … Y’all need to go talk to BET, that’s what needs to happen.” (80:24, 80:58)
  • Reflects on her very first TV performance and the difference in artist development then vs. now.

17. Rihanna, Past Beef, and Reconciliation (83:09–85:38)

• Ciara describes a friendly, supportive interaction with Rihanna at the Met Gala; both mothers, supporting each other's success.
  • “It was the best energy, you know? And Cece got love for Riri.” (83:58)
  • Notes the public Twitter exchanges of the past, but emphasizes growth: “We’re women... like, grown.”

18. At Her Core: The Real Ciara (85:45–86:33)

• Charlamagne: “If you strip away all the titles… who is Ciara at her core today?”
  • Ciara: “She a boss… a woman of ambition on a mission… I'm a woman that loves to serve. I love to give and I love to live.” (85:53, 86:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That's crazy. Well, but crickets are chirping loud, ain't they? Period.” - Ciara (06:11), referencing her past treatment in the media.
• ”There's nothing better than owning your masters, right? … There's nothing better than ownership.” - Ciara (11:51)
• “No matter how successful you are, you’re still going to hear someone say no or you can’t.” - Ciara (15:01)
• “I love something that would never love me back how I love it. Damn music will never give me back what I give to it.” - Ciara (54:30)
• On Russell Wilson: “He is the most amazing human being you could know, the smartest, most intelligent Black man that I have ever known.” - Ciara (24:32)
• “Do I want to say stuff sometimes? Absolutely. But is it worth it? No.... you ain't gotta respond. People respond for you.” - Ciara (26:25, 27:50)
• “Being a mom puts the P in purpose for me… you’re constantly chasing success that you forget to live.” - Ciara (72:58, 73:23)
• “I'm a woman that loves to serve. I love to give and I love to live.” - Ciara (86:04)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:19 - Ciara joins, banter and stories about meeting DJ Envy’s daughters
• 06:11 - The “crickets” joke; Ciara’s clapback
• 11:41 - Insight on going independent, ownership, and running her own career
• 14:07 - Confronting the label CEO after “Level Up”
• 18:41 - Stories behind “Promise” and “Level Up”
• 24:32 - Defending Russell Wilson’s character
• 28:10 - On blended families and step-parenting
• 37:39 - On communal uplift and supporting Black women
• 46:51 - Walking out of the label deal with her masters
• 54:30 - The challenges of the music industry and why she craves independence
• 60:46 - Differences between being signed and independent: “I own my stuff.”
• 72:58 - How motherhood has changed her life’s purpose and definition of success
• 80:24 - BET tribute exclusion and her first live TV performance
• 83:58 - Reconciling with Rihanna at the Met Gala
• 85:53 - Who is Ciara at her core? (“She a boss…”)

Overall Tone & Takeaways

This interview’s tone is playful, candid, and empowering, oscillating between deep honesty and lighthearted sisterhood. Ciara’s journey, especially her entrepreneurial pivot and focus on family, is presented as an inspiring blueprint for ownership, legacy, and self-actualization. The conversation is rich with laughs, lessons, and moments of personal triumph, making it a must-listen for fans and anyone interested in the intersections of music, motherhood, and ambition.