Ciara: Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time (FBF)

Join Alex in the studio for a chat with Grammy-award winner, Ciara! Ciara reflects on some of her most iconic moments throughout her career and discusses hard lessons learned after nearly two decades in the industry. In this episode, Alex and Ciara discuss what it takes to leave a toxic relationship, what she now recognizes as red flags, and why you should always choose yourself first. Ciara gushes over her husband, Russell Wilson, and reminisces on their love story. She talks about how she knew he was “the one,” how communication is key, and what their house is like on game day. Ciara is here dishing out wisdom and advice… so get ready Daddy Gang, it’s time to level up in all aspects of life!

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:00Alex Cooper?

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• 0:43Alex Cooper?

  I feel like the best gifts are always the ones that feel really personal, right? Like, anyone can buy you something nice, but when someone gives you a gift that is actually meaningful, you appreciate it so much more. And that's what I do love about Pandora. They have so many pieces that you can really just make your own, from festive charms to personalized engravings and jewelry that can represent the people and the moments that mean the most to you. So whether you're shopping for your partner or your mom, your best friend, you can find something that really is specific to them. Maybe it's a charm that makes you think of the trip that you guys took together once, or maybe it's an engraving for your anniversary, or just a piece that feels like them the second you see it.

• 1:28Alex Cooper?

  Pandora makes it so easy to give a gift that feels thoughtful and personal and makes every holiday moment even more meaningful and special. Because at the end of the day, the best gifts aren't just about the piece itself, but it's the intention and the story behind them. Say more this holiday season with Pandora. Shop now at pandora.net or visit your closest Pandora store. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Stouffer's. Let me tell you something. When I am hungry and I am trying to figure out what to eat, sometimes you can just actually become so, you're angry. You're like, I am busy, I'm hungry, I'm getting hangry, I'm getting angry. What can I eat? I need something hot and delicious and low maintenance.

• 2:10Alex Cooper?

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• 2:55Alex Cooper?

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• 3:13Speaker 01

  Experience the transformation.

• 3:21Speaker 02

  Remember. Love believes all things. Love hopes all things.

• 3:39Alex Cooper?

  Daddy gang, I am so excited for today's guest. Are you ready?

• 3:45Alex Cooper?

  Ciara is here. She is a Grammy Award winning, triple platinum musician. She's also an entrepreneur, cover model, fashion icon, wife, mother. I mean, god damn, is there anything that she doesn't do? I cannot wait to sit down with her and get to know her today. I remember being so obsessed with her music when I was younger, fully had a dance routine to one-two step. I still remember the choreography to this day. Maybe I will have to show her my dance moves. She like fully leaves and walks out. She's like, you're so bad. Um, no, but in all honesty, you guys, if you think about it, in her two decade-long career,

• 4:25Alex Cooper?

  Ciara has seen ups and downs, but our girls always come out on top. And Daddy Gang, we're getting into it today. We are going to discuss toxic relationships, knowing your worth, leveling up in all aspects of life. This episode is going to be, I already know it, full of wisdom and advice and just things that are going to make you feel good. Okay? So come hang out with me and Ciara. Ciara! This is, she's like, I'm not coming in now. Let's go!

• 5:00Alex Cooper?

  What is up Daddy Gang? It is your founding father, Alex Cooper, with Call Her Daddy.

• 5:12Alex Cooper?

  Ciara, welcome to Call Her Daddy.

• 5:14Speaker 03

  Thank you for having me.

• 5:15Alex Cooper?

  I am so happy you're here. First of all, congrats on your pregnancy.

• 5:20Speaker 03

  Thank you.

• 5:20Alex Cooper?

  To talk to me. How far along are you?

• 5:21Speaker 03

  Oh my gosh, I don't say how far along I am because I'm kind of funny in marking the time. Okay. Because the most important wish is a healthy baby and desire. And I feel like when you mark time, it kind of puts pressure on the time marker.

• 5:33Alex Cooper?

  Totally.

• 5:34Speaker 03

  But I am, I am, the bump is bumping. I'm feeling good. I'm feeling a little, I would say big and slow, but you know, I'm feeling good. I'm feeling grateful.

• 5:44Alex Cooper?

  So this is baby number four?

• 5:46Speaker 03

  Number four.

• 5:47Alex Cooper?

  Did you always want a big family?

• 5:49Speaker 03

  I did. I'm an only child. So I think because of that, like I used to always beg my mom and dad for a brother or sister. Like, please, please, please, can you have another baby? And they would be like, mm, it's not happening. And then I kind of liked being an only child as I got into my teens. I'm like, this actually works out. It's all about me. I like it.

• 6:27Alex Cooper?

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• 7:12Alex Cooper?

  SoFi, get your money right. This is a paid advertisement by SoFi Technologies and is not intended to be financial advice. This is a paid ad by BetterHelp. I always think it is so important to find time to take care of myself because I think self-care for me a lot of times is getting some alone time, even if it's just go on a 10-minute walk outside. Self-care can obviously look different at different stages of life, and the ways that we practice it often evolve over time. But one possible way to take care of yourself is through therapy. Therapy with BetterHelp, one of the leading online therapy platforms, can be a space to prioritize your mental health, reflect on where you are, and check in with yourself. With over 30,000 therapists worldwide, BetterHelp has served millions of people globally.

• 7:56Alex Cooper?

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• 8:37Alex Cooper?

  microbiome is key to our mental health, immunity, and of course digestion. And I just feel like I didn't know any of this until recently, which is a problem because this is literally everything that we do need to know to take care of ourselves. But did you know, because now I know, the gut microbiome shifts during pregnancy, ladies, and these shifts can impact mom and baby's health in pregnancy and postpartum. And that is why Ritual created NADAL Biotic, a specialized biotic with clinically studied strains for pregnancy and postpartum microbiome support to support digestive health, mood, vaginal health, and baby's immune health. I have been trying so hard to take care of myself during this pregnancy, and I think

• 9:19Alex Cooper?

  something that has been very helpful is actually learning about the things that now I will carry, not only just during this pregnancy, but I will continue to take care of myself in a way that I really never have before. I think sometimes as women, we don't have the tools, or we don't know what we're supposed to be doing. And so we sometimes just freeze and we don't do anything. And since having Ritual in my life, it has been so nice to have this daily ritual where I'm actually taking care of myself and my baby, which feels great. So whether you're pregnant, postpartum, or looking for everyday trusted daily gut support, get clinically studied biotics to support your gut health with Ritual. My listeners

• 9:56Alex Cooper?

  can save 25% off their first month at ritual.com/callherdaddy. That's ritual.com/callherdaddy for 25% off your first month. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I am such a big fan and this year marks the 20th anniversary of your debut album, Goodies.

• 10:20Speaker 03

  Yes, yes.

• 10:21Alex Cooper?

  It is crazy to think that because it's like you've just done so much in your career, but to think back to those OG days, I'm wondering like, what does it make you feel when you know that people 20 years later are still so obsessed, so in love with the original hits?

• 10:36Speaker 03

  Oh my goodness, I feel grateful. Um, it's actually, this is the 19th year, the 20th year is coming up.

• 10:41Alex Cooper?

  Coming up, okay.

• 10:42Speaker 03

  Yeah, so, but knowing that I'm about to enter that year, um, I feel a heart full of gratitude. Um, it makes me feel motivated, you know, um, it's so funny because it also just reminds you why you just keep on going, like why you don't stop, why you don't stop believing, and you say committed to your vision, because when I was young, I was like, I spoke so much into like the things that I saw happening for myself, and it's kind of crazy, like, I actually, I had a goal sheet. So my goal sheet, I was, um, like 14 years old when I wrote it down before I got discovered. I had three goals. So the first goal was to get discovered.

• 11:14Alex Cooper?

  Okay.

• 11:15Speaker 03

  And I wrote down how I was gonna get discovered, so I'm gonna get in talent shows and all this kind of stuff. And then my second goal was once I got discovered, to sell 3 to 40 million albums. And I did five, which was a blessing. So, check off one and check off two, and three was longevity. So, it was broad, but I was still like envisioning like long-term success. So, to know that, having a vision as a young girl, dreaming big, and it actually happens.

• 11:41Alex Cooper?

  Dude.

• 11:42Speaker 03

  It's kind of crazy, because that's kind of the story of my life. Like, I speak a lot of life into like a lot that happens to me. Um, and I envision it before it happens, and it's crazy that we're sitting here almost 20 years in.

• 11:53Alex Cooper?

  It's also crazy to hear you at 14, putting that goal list together. I'm like, what the fuck was I doing at 14? Like, picking my nose and like getting on Accutane. I was like, oh shit. Like, damn, like, were you always that ambitious? And were your parents, like, go Ciara? Or were they ever like, oh my god, slow down, like chill, you don't need to be doing all this at this young of an age?

• 12:12Speaker 03

  Yeah, well, my dad was, my mom and my dad were supportive, and I always say, the one thing I can say I'm truly thankful for is that they allowed me to do what I wanted to do. Like, they didn't stop me. My mom was more... You know, she had more reservations than my dad did about the music industry because she watched all those VH1 like True Story. I forget what they call the show. What was the show called? Do you remember?

• 12:33Alex Cooper?

  Yeah, something like True Hollywood Story.

• 12:36Speaker 03

  True, yeah, something like that.

• 12:38Alex Cooper?

  Or Never Ends Good.

• 12:39Speaker 03

  Yeah, basically. It's like all the bad stuff. So you watch those shows and you're like,

• 12:44Alex Cooper?

  Fuck.

• 12:45Speaker 03

  Yeah, it's a little scary. Like, is that what my daughter's getting into? My mom was thinking that way. So I think she was a little like, what's that music industry world about?

• 12:54Speaker 03

  And but she still allowed me to do it. And she was super supportive. My mom and my dad, where my dad would travel late nights to the studio with me, sleep on the sofa, while I'm recording in the booth, drive me back home, get ready for school. I mean, he was in it. They both were supportive. So, you know, I'm glad they let me do that, right? I'm glad they allowed me that opportunity. And I will never forget that for my babies. Like, I gotta like let them pursue their dreams and what they're passionate about. So I took a, I've taken a note from that.

• 13:22Alex Cooper?

  Couple notes from your parents.

• 13:23Speaker 03

  Yeah, just a few.

• 13:24Alex Cooper?

  Just a couple. You've done so much in your career. When you reflect on your career, and I know this is kind of hard to answer, but like, what is the most iconic moment in your mind of your career?

• 13:36Speaker 03

  Oh, my goodness. That's hard.

• 13:38Alex Cooper?

  I know.

• 13:41Speaker 03

  You know, I do, I will say, I think Goodies was very special for me because it put me on the map. My first single was number one for eight weeks long. We were breaking records and all this cool stuff then, which was really amazing. And it was kind of that moment of like where my identity was established like right away, but it was clear on like who this girl was, like Ciara from Atlanta, CiCi from Atlanta. But here to stay kind of energy, I feel. And I think even the imagery of things that we did, like the swimsuit with the jeans and I wear my tall boxer boots. I mean, I couldn't go anywhere without the high top. High tops are still my thing to this day. But the boxer boots were like my jam. I needed my wrestling boots, actually.

• 14:19Alex Cooper?

  Yeah, I feel like it was something that like everyone will always remember. Like it fashion wise, music wise, like as a woman, like it was just so iconic. I remember when it came out, I like still listen to it to this day. I remember making up also like, oh my god. And then when One Two Step came out and I was like making up the like most awkward dances like with my friends thinking we're like hot shit like it wasn't hot just to clarify Sierra it was not as hot as you.

• 14:43Speaker 03

  I know it was cute.

• 14:44Alex Cooper?

  No, eh, okay, but um, I, I just think about you at that young age though, and I'm curious, like if you can take me back a little bit to like, what was life like? You're coming out with music, you're rising to fame and you're only 18 years old. Like,

• 14:57Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 14:58Alex Cooper?

  What was your life like at that time?

• 15:00Speaker 03

  So I was always super, super focused, super driven, you know, very, very um, headstrong.

• 15:05Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 15:06Speaker 03

  You know, I remember when I was like putting my vision together for the project, I'm like, I want to do like this and I'm do like that and I'm do this and it's gonna be this like, and I was very clear on my vision, like no one could tell me anything different. Um, and I was very opinionated.

• 15:19Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 15:20Speaker 03

  At a young age.

• 15:21Alex Cooper?

  I relate in some ways to that of just being like so, yeah, like headstrong and like, I know what I'm doing, like I'm gonna make it, I'm gonna make this happen.

• 15:30Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 15:30Alex Cooper?

  Sometimes I've experienced though, you almost struggle to pause and be happy for yourself in a moment of like, oh shit, like I did this.

• 15:39Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 15:39Alex Cooper?

  Do you have a moment in your career at that young age where you were able to stop and be like, oh damn, like I made it, like that one I made it moment, do you remember that?

• 15:48Speaker 03

  Hmm, I think maybe a small blip of that was winning a Grammy.

• 15:52Alex Cooper?

  Oh, just a little.

• 15:55Speaker 03

  That was a very special moment for me because I'd always dreamt of something as, like, that's like the Super Bowl for music.

• 16:01Alex Cooper?

  Mm hmm.

• 16:02Speaker 03

  Right? It's like, it doesn't get any higher than that award. So for me, that was super special and significant, but to be honest with you, my world was going so fast, so as you can imagine, it literally was like the first 10 songs in my career, whether it was my song or collaboration, they were all top 10, top 5, top 3 records. Or number 1 records. So I don't think I really allowed myself until a little bit later to stop and like really realize where I was. And I think you realize it even more when you have a challenge, when you've, when you face adversity, that's when you go, oh, you start to realize like, okay, exactly where things were. Um, you know, and then when you're determined, you stay at it, you fight through it, you battle through your challenges and you keep it moving and you keep on staying on the track because that's all a part of it.

• 16:46Speaker 03

  But my, my true made it moment, though, I will say, if I could pick a moment where I'm like, oh, like, was definitely winning a Grammy.

• 16:54Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 16:54Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 16:55Alex Cooper?

  Damn, damn.

• 16:56Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 16:56Alex Cooper?

  I think a lot of people are like, I hope that's my, oh, I made it moment where I win a Grammy. Here we go. Hearing you, obviously, like, you're such a savvy businesswoman. And I'm just sitting here, like, thinking of you because your career started so young, like, what was the hardest business lesson that you had to learn early on?

• 17:11Speaker 03

  Oh, you gotta leave your emotions at the door.

• 17:13Alex Cooper?

  Hmm.

• 17:14Speaker 03

  Like, you know, there's a time and a place for sincerity and, and being emotional, especially as a woman. So, like, early on, I learned that, you know, I'm like, in business, there's no, there's no gray. It's only black and white, right? So if you can, you know, find a way to manage your emotions, you know, that's, it's game changing. Cause you also realize that a lot of people in our industry don't really care for your emotions. A lot of people don't really care in general. It's like, what can you do for me in this moment? What can you do for me in general? That's kind of the mentality for a lot of people, a lot of my experiences. And then when, you know, the good ones, you hold on to them and you value them. But I think being a young woman, being determined, um, you know, and all that good stuff.

• 17:59Speaker 03

  And having to like manage my stuff, like, mind you, my parents weren't like, you know, navigating this world for me. I was a young girl, like, hiring and firing and do, I mean, like, everything. So the emotions I had to learn early, take them, leave them at the door.

• 18:14Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 18:15Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 18:15Alex Cooper?

  Do you think that, like, on a personal level, like, how did you stay grounded while you're getting, like, famous and pictures and everything? Like, where did you find your center core?

• 18:24Speaker 03

  I'll be honest with you. I'm a spiritual girl, right? I think, I think a lot of people know that. But, so for me, my foundation was that I had faith. I, for me, I know who God and Jesus is. Like, that's important for me, right? Everybody has their thing. But I think that kind of helps to keep me, like, level set. The people around me, like, to this day, I still call my boy Jasper, who I met when I was like 14 years old, a quarter of my First song like he was there in the booth with me. So mind you, that's twenty plus years of relationship. My best friend and makeup artist who's been in my career since I was sixty. My first professional shoot as a solo artist, actually my first professional shoot in general, she did that. So we're twenty plus years of friendship and she's my matron of honor.

• 19:06Speaker 03

  My team, I stay pretty consistent. I try to keep it like I'm a creature of habit. I think consistency is key, but I do believe having people, having that consistent group of people and circle of people that can trust.

• 19:17Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 19:17Speaker 03

  And know they got my back. I think that was a big part that really helped me to stay like level headed. And to be able to reset or have a place to go to, because I always say, I don't care how strong you are. I don't care how capable you are. You have to have somebody you can talk to. Like that is so important because the one thing that is very detrimental to, can be detrimental to a person. Is when you bottle stuff in and you don't have a place to go.

• 19:45Alex Cooper?

  Yep.

• 19:45Speaker 03

  So for me, I think having a place to go has always been a great thing for me or someone I can trust and talk to. Even if it's just one person, like everybody doesn't have to know your stuff, like, you know, but just one person. If you have one, you have enough for me personally. And then of course I pray and all that good stuff.

• 20:02Alex Cooper?

  I appreciate you sharing that because again, obviously most people that are going to listen like they can't relate to maybe some parts of your life. But that's some of the most relatable shit is like making sure that you have good people around you.

• 20:14Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 20:14Alex Cooper?

  And actually people that you trust and it doesn't have to be a lot of people, but I think if you don't have good people. You can lose your way because if you're then you're potentially hanging out with people that could sway you or you don't trust. And then you have trust issues. It's like making sure you know people are there for the right reasons, which sometimes you can't. You have to just trust.

• 20:32Speaker 03

  One hundred.

• 20:32Alex Cooper?

  And sometimes you get screwed over.

• 20:33Speaker 03

  One hundred percent. You gotta have people that you know are going to be honest with you. That will, you know, hold you accountable, but it's also how they hold, how do they hold themselves? Like how do they live their lives too, right? You can't have the wrong piece of people feeding you, like you said, like that's when it is dangerous, right? And one thing I have learned is that when you're vulnerable, that is the most crucial spot that you to listen to the right person. Cause you can listen to the wrong person when you're vulnerable and they can send you completely left, right? Like that's the thing about life. It's like amazing how one decision can change your life for better or for worse. One decision, right? So who's feeding you when you're vulnerable? Like, that's so important.

• 21:10Alex Cooper?

  You even see some celebrities and you can tell like the people that maybe don't have people with the right intentions in their camp. Because it's like, of course, like you guys at some point can be just reduced to like an object of like, go here, go here, go here. We're all making money off of you. And at some point, you have to decide like, you're the one that keeps it all moving. So you have to advocate for yourself in some capacity, like keep those people that actually have the right intentions and the right. Like, they want the best for you. And that's hard, though.

• 21:40Speaker 03

  It is. It's hard. But you know, my thing is, is like, there's a line in the Bible that talks about what good is it for a man to gain the world and lose his soul? One of my, one of my greatest fears is to have a certain amount of success. It's like the highest level, but to not know who I am. And I'm very, very, I'm very intentional about that. Like, making sure I'm checking myself too. Like, I gotta check myself sometimes too. And it's like, I wanna be incredibly successful, but I don't want it that much. I'm like, lost in the end.

• 22:08Alex Cooper?

  Right. Imagine, it all comes down, you get, we pray, we all get to eighty, ninety. And you're like, I did it for all, what, I got no one around me. I got nothing that I, I don't even know who the hell I am. Glad I got the Grammys and the awards and the albums, but like, who am I?

• 22:23Speaker 03

  Empty. Yeah. That I'm so terrified of that. And I see it happen so often in my industry. Like, a lot of the greats that I respected and admired, a lot of their stories, like, it's not that beautiful story that you saw and why you fell in love with what they do. And I'm just like, man, like, that's not truly living to me. Like, it can't, my life, my, the success of my life can also be based off of the materialistic stuff. And the awards and all those great things. Like, that's, that just can't be enough to fill my cup. Because honestly, sometimes, those things don't happen for you when you want them to happen anyways. Like, there's still things that I wish I, you know, could do, I'm hoping to do.

• 23:01Speaker 03

  And it may not happen. So I've gotta make sure I have a level set and understanding of like, what is my definition of success?

• 23:09Alex Cooper?

  Right.

• 23:09Speaker 03

  When you're so young, you look so far ahead, like, and you should, you should look far ahead. You shouldn't dream big, but you're like sometimes so honed in on like, you know, all these things that you have so much time to get to. And it's like, you know, you gotta have perspective, right? You gotta like stay rooted within yourself and know who you are along the way. Cause you can lose yourself.

• 23:30Alex Cooper?

  It's so true. And I appreciate you saying that because it's like, I feel like we right now, our culture is very like, go, go, go. You want more. We want the coolest fashion. We want money. We want success. We want the big cars and the houses and the cool things. And if you don't have it, then you're a loser and you're not as cool. There's just so much comparison right now. And especially for women. It's just like, the aging aspect and like, we're not good enough if we don't get the, there's just so much. What is something that you learned in your twenties? That you still carry with you to this day that you can share with us?

• 24:00Speaker 03

  Patience. I, I really, that's one of my favorite words. Well, actually perspective is one of my favorite words, but also patience. I would say patience is everything. You know, sometimes like I say, you want things to happen at a certain marker for you. And they may not happen until you're fifty or sixty years old. You just don't know, right? So to me, you gotta have patience in the process, like trust the timing that's meant for you. Things are going to happen for you when they're supposed to. Even for me, I have to remind myself when stuff is ugly. I'm like, this is a part of life, right? This is, you're supposed to have a little bit of the ugly. Like I say, sometimes you have to go through the ugly to get to the pretty.

• 24:35Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 24:36Speaker 03

  Right?

• 24:36Alex Cooper?

  Even also you saying earlier, you were like, I didn't even stop in moments because like when everything's going well, you just keep moving. And the hardest moments are the moments that you actually are hip checked with you and yourself to be like, whoa, first of all, so grateful for the good times.

• 24:52Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 24:52Alex Cooper?

  Cause this shit's rough right now. And you then gain that perspective.

• 24:56Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 24:56Alex Cooper?

  I also think what you're saying about patience is really important too, especially with people in this young generation. I feel it of like, the patience of like, the comparison is, oh my God, that person got that job and I didn't get the job or I didn't get the thing I wanted. And it's like, we're comparing ourselves to the person around us or our friends around us. Everything moves at a different pace.

• 25:15Speaker 03

  Yeah, it does.

• 25:15Alex Cooper?

  And the reason you didn't get that job is for a reason because you're going to get another thing.

• 25:19Speaker 03

  Tell you.

• 25:20Alex Cooper?

  It's hard now.

• 25:21Speaker 03

  And sometimes too, things look pretty on the outside, but you don't know what somebody is going through. When you're like looking at what they have going and you want what they have. You don't know what they're going through.

• 25:30Alex Cooper?

  No clue.

• 25:31Speaker 03

  Right? So it's like you gotta trust your own timing like, you know, it's it's it's so much better that way. Like, do you know what's crazy for me? Is I remember like in the days of me, you know, being signed to the traditional labels. And I look, I would look up and I would watch other artists. Like, I'm like, I've been around the block for like a long time, but she just come in and she like looking like she rolling. Two times faster than what I just like, and I'm busting my butt. Like, I'm like, I know I work hard and she works. Like, I know she ain't showing up how I should. And it looks like the world is just going so taken off of them. It's like, you know what? Like, that's for them. Like, and and celebrate it too, actually. I think there's something really good about celebrating the success of others because. When it's your time, it's gonna happen for you. Things take time.

• 26:13Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 26:13Speaker 03

  Right?

• 26:14Alex Cooper?

  It's so true. And it's also like, like you said, like if someone pops off so fast. And it's so different. Like, we don't know what they're going through. Maybe they're also really struggling. Like, who the hell has popped off so fast and been like? Mental health is at a hundred. Like, it's not a thing.

• 26:30Speaker 03

  It gets crazy. And sometimes too, I think when you go so fast in the beginning. You don't have much to look forward to, or you don't appreciate it. Like. I appreciate every step of the way for myself because of what I've gone through. And I know for a fact. I wouldn't appreciate it if I had everything given to me, the world given to me when I wanted it, you know, when I wanted it, basically. And it's like me telling my kids, like. You can't have everything at, you know, can you imagine how crazy the world be if we had everything we wanted when we wanted it? Like, that would be nuts.

• 27:00Alex Cooper?

  Nuts. We'd all be miserable.

• 27:02Speaker 03

  Crazy. Like crazy. Like, we'd be running around like crazy town. All of it. I'm telling you, everybody'd be lost. Like, you know, like losing it too.

• 27:10Alex Cooper?

  So true.

• 27:11Speaker 03

  So there's something to like, you know, the struggle. There's something to adversity. There's something to. Getting knocked down and getting back up. There's something to like all of that good stuff, right? And just like trust the process. Like, if it's meant for you, it's gonna happen for you when it's supposed to, how it was supposed to, and it's gonna be so great.

• 27:29Alex Cooper?

  It is kind of about the process of like letting things play out. Then you appreciate it more. You have more understanding of who you are as a human being. When you go through more shit, like. You come out on top because you have learned experiences rather than just getting it all. You're like, oh, this was easy.

• 27:45Speaker 03

  Yes.

• 27:46Alex Cooper?

  Speaking of relationships.

• 27:49Alex Cooper?

  I want to talk to you about love and relationships. Obviously, you're married to Russell Wilson, the Denver Broncos quarterback. We love that for you. It's so cute to see, like, it seems like you guys have such a healthy and loving relationship. I see online, people commenting like, Ciara, like, where do I find my Russell? Like, where do I find, like, my couple goals? And obviously, in order to get to a healthy relationship, you got to go through things before you get to that point. And I want to talk to you a little bit about growing and learning and how you got to where you are now. Around the time that you met Russell, you were going through a really public and what looked like painful breakup. And I think about, like, leaving a relationship is so hard to make that decision,

• 28:35Alex Cooper?

  especially, I'm assuming, as you, when you have a child. How did you know for yourself it was time to leave?

• 28:42Speaker 03

  Oh, my goodness. When you know you're supposed to make a, make a super defined decision in your life, you know it from, like, the head to your feet, from your feet to your head, and your soul and your body, you know it. And it's almost like your taste buds change, right? You have a taste bud for a certain kind of thing, and then the taste buds just go. You got to sometimes also look in the mirror and reflect on yourself, too, right? Like, okay, what are things that I could be doing differently in my life? Or, you know, what's a part of what I'm looking for a change, but what does that mean? So you have to kind of define everything about making changes in your life that are very critical. And, you know, I've talked about before, obviously, when you have a child,

• 29:25Speaker 03

  it's very important to me, like, now it's no time to play around. Like, the whole, like, experimentation kind of phase is out the doors. Like, I am now responsible for another life, right? So what am I doing? Like, how am I thinking that through? So, you know, and then when you're tired, you're tired. You're tired. You know, and so we get tired, and we don't want to be tired all the time, like, you know? I'm like, I want to, I want joy. I want to make sure my cup is full. Like, how am I living my life? Like, I always say, don't let nobody waste your time. Like that's one thing like we talk about like, you know, you know, life and the trajectory of life and what, you know, it's like, I don't care if it's a relationship or friendship, business, whatever it is, like, don't let it waste your time.

• 30:10Speaker 03

  It's just not worth it.

• 30:11Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 30:12Speaker 03

  Right? So, yeah, I mean, those are, those are things that come to my mind, how I process when I'm making a pivotal, when it, there's a pivotal moment in my life and in, and in any aspect of my life.

• 30:22Alex Cooper?

  When you hear people talk about it, it does seem like, oh, that's so simple. But when you're in it, it is like, it's really hard to collect yourself when you're trying to leave something and you're like, you're so used to something.

• 30:35Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 30:36Alex Cooper?

  Even if it's toxic, like I have women write in to me, Ciara, that are like, it, the fear of being alone sometimes is worse than the fear of staying in something toxic. And I wonder like what advice you have because like.

• 30:49Speaker 03

  Thing is, is that what you do learn is toxicity will, it can kill you. Like toxicity, putting toxic things into your body is not good. Is not like, so I think it's like, we have to be real with ourselves, right? It's like, what do you want out of life for yourself? You have to be a little selfish in your thought process and whatever's around you needs to align with that. Right? Like, you know, that's important, like, but that whole, like, the toxic, like, is like, there's nothing fun about, you know, being confused all the time or someone taking you on like the ring around, like, that's not, that's not fun.

• 31:28Alex Cooper?

  It's not fun. And I feel like from my personal experience, like I've been in some toxic relationships where it almost you can normalize it. Like when you're in it for long enough, and I like that you spoke about it, like, there is a moment and, and I pray for a lot of women listening, like, you catch that moment before it gets really detrimental to your own health, but like, there's that moment, you know, but for a while you can like have full blinders on and just not see it because it becomes so normalized. I'm wondering like, when you were younger, like, what is something that you now recognize is a red flag, but at the time you would either like ignore or maybe like turn away from?

• 32:07Speaker 03

  Well, yes, like how is a person talking to you? How do they treat others? How do they, you know, you do ignore a lot of stuff like when you just want to see what you want to see. But again, when you start thinking holistically, it's like, you know, no one's gonna be perfect. But you do want the one that's perfect for you, like, and how many boxes can they check off for you that fits? Like what your desire is, and it should be both ways, right? We and Russell, we always talk about being equally yoked. Like, for us from day one, like, honestly, I think it was a, you know, healthy place and I thank God because we always saw. We kind of saw a lot of things the same way. So I think that's more than half the battle when you're kind of aligned. Yes, it's definitely like how someone talks to you. What's their track record?

• 32:53Speaker 03

  What's their track record? And sometimes too, like, listen, you know, you don't, again, you see things how you see them, like, sometimes you do overlook things because of your perspective. And again, it's like, you're trying to see things like the glass has full. Like, you're trying to see it from a positive lens, but again, like, what's a person doing? I think more than anything, it's like, they can tell you everything. A person can be like, oh, I've changed and I'm doing da-da-da. And I've heard those stories before. I've heard that song before. Um, but what are they doing? Right? And I think sometimes you tend to put the words before the actions. Right? You listen, you listen more versus like just watching, like, how are they showing up or not showing up?

• 33:35Speaker 03

  Like, and then sometimes you don't realize, like, they're telling you. It's like they're telling you the same thing in a different way. It's like, well, wait a minute. What you told me last time, you're telling me the same thing again, and you're doing the same thing again. So like. You know what I'm saying? Like?

• 33:52Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 33:53Speaker 03

  And, yeah.

• 33:54Alex Cooper?

  And I love what you said about you and Russell, it's like, we're very similar in the way that we think and what we like and what we believe in. And like, of course, everyone's different, but when you find yourself trying to make something work so hard. And you're the one that's constantly forgiving or coming back.

• 34:14Alex Cooper?

  Full stop.

• 34:15Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 34:16Alex Cooper?

  Red flag.

• 34:17Speaker 03

  Red flag, yeah, for sure. It's like, it takes two.

• 34:19Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 34:20Speaker 03

  You know, and like, how are you showing up? Like, you ain't showing up. So I ain't showing up either. I'm actually going, I'm out. Like, yeah, I showed up and I'm cool. Like, you ain't gonna exhaust me. Cause honestly, you can lose yourself in those moments. Like, and like I said, it's one of my greatest fears. And I've been there before. I'm looking to someone, I'm like, you ain't gonna waste my life. I'm sorry, like, that's not an option, like.

• 34:44Alex Cooper?

  It's so scary though, right?

• 34:46Speaker 03

  It is scary. It is scary, but you know, you gotta like, put your foot down for what you want and what you deserve.

• 34:53Alex Cooper?

  All the girlies are taking notes right now. They're like, fuck, yes, yeah, like, yes.

• 34:57Speaker 03

  Don't be afraid.

• 34:58Alex Cooper?

  No, yeah, you're right. Don't be afraid of like, the best part is leaving. The best part is getting out. The best part is finding yourself without that person. And obviously, you now are in such a healthy relationship, it looks. And I'm so happy for you, just like, even when you talk about him, I can just tell, like. Yeah, like, you're happy. And so I also wonder, like, when you go into a healthy relationship, I think sometimes it's so annoying, but like, sometimes we can't help but bring our baggage and our habits from our past relationships that we've had in our life. Like, was there anything that you had to unlearn essentially, when you got into your relationship with Russell?

• 35:37Speaker 03

  Leave it at the door. Leave it at the door. That, I think that's so important for yourself and your own sanity, but it's also not fair to your partner to bring old baggage. That is from the past. Cause then I think you don't give yourself an opportunity to fully be in that love, be engulfed in that love, and to create something fresh for yourself. Before Russ came into my life, like, I didn't think he was gonna come into my life that fast, to be honest with you. But before he came into my life, the place that I was at mentally, when I decided, like, you know, I'm I'm desiring something different and I was clear on like, I was very intentional in that phase of my life. And obviously, you have my baby in my life, my first born. You know, I took that moment for myself.

• 36:22Speaker 03

  Cause I think sometimes too, like if we go back to back, you know, in relationships, you also aren't having a chance to like make peace with yourself and to really like tap into you in a way that you maybe don't know you need to, but you need to sometimes pause, like take a break and just like love on yourself, reset, get clarity, you know, the past is the past, where are you trying to, where do you wanna, and really try to look ahead, like, and be clear and intentional with that. So I think, I will say, the, the moment before Russ came into my life, I said, I thought I was gonna be single for like four years at least, I was like, I'm not doing this, no. I'm, I guess I'm tired, like, I'm like,

• 37:03Speaker 03

  it's, eh, what's going on? And I'm also, I'm, it's self reflecting, it's everything going on, right? So I had like to go through that phase and that process and that journey, um, you know, and so in that moment when you're resetting, the things are of the past, they're starting to become of the past to you, right? So it's like you're already clearing up your mind, just in general for yourself, like not even for someone to come into my life, but just me doing this self cleanse thing I need to do with myself, like get, really find myself, like who am I, like what's this woman wanna feel like when she walks throughout the world, like what does she talk like, what does she think like? Like, I mean, it's all these things that are about myself, I'm like, this is what I need for me, right?

• 37:47Speaker 03

  And then of course, like who's gonna be in her life? Like, I'm thinking about these things, and I'm like, I mean, my mind is as vivid as it can be, and like, he's gonna be a man of God, like he's gonna love kids, I have a child now, I'm like, he's gonna love to like travel the world, like, I mean, all these things, like I'm envisioning it so much that I can taste, so you talk about those taste buds, that taste buds starts to have a palate, it's all, it's like fit for all that stuff. So I'm thinking that way, you know, already, so when I see it, I know it. And when I saw my honey, my, my husband, like, I've never seen anything like that. Yeah. Never. Not, I haven't talked to anyone like that, like I haven't felt anything like that, but I felt everything that I saw, like I almost can cry, my hormones, but maybe

• 38:31Speaker 03

  it's not my hormones, but, but I could like see, like, it was exactly what I was seeing right in front of me, like it's crazy. Oh my god. Like crazy.

• 38:42Alex Cooper?

  When, when did you meet him? Like, what was the situation? How did you meet?

• 39:03Alex Cooper?

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• 39:45Alex Cooper?

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• 40:27Alex Cooper?

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• 41:10Alex Cooper?

  This is a paid advertisement by SoFi Technologies and is not intended to be financial advice. When did you meet him? Like, what was the situation? How did you meet?

• 41:19Speaker 03

  We met, um, when did we meet? What year was this 20, oh gosh? 2015.

• 41:23Alex Cooper?

  Okay.

• 41:24Speaker 03

  2015.

• 41:25Alex Cooper?

  Okay. Where were you?

• 41:27Speaker 03

  We were actually in California. And the crazy thing is we started talking early at first.

• 41:33Speaker 03

  We were chatting a little bit. And then we had our first in-person meeting before we, so before we met in person, we were chatting a little bit. And when he met in person, it was the craziest thing because I was trying to make sure I'm doing this right. Because, mind you, I hadn't met a guy at this point. I hadn't talked to a guy or anything at this point. So I'm like, this is like, you know, it's a guy in general. And then he always, he was like, well, because I'm like, well, when we were meeting, I'm like, I also was looking at it from a friendship perspective. You know?

• 42:03Alex Cooper?

  Sierra.

• 42:04Speaker 03

  I'm just saying, like, you know, the buildup before you get there. And he was like, what friendship? He's like, I want, looking for no friend, you know? So we joke about that.

• 42:12Alex Cooper?

  I love it.

• 42:13Speaker 03

  Because I want to be like, really like,

• 42:15Alex Cooper?

  Best buds. I gotta hear it.

• 42:18Speaker 03

  Yeah, what you talking about? I mean, but he was cute though, you know? You know, but you know, we gonna start, we gonna go on phases, kind of thing.

• 42:24Alex Cooper?

  Right.

• 42:25Speaker 03

  But when we met in person, the first time in person we talked, was actually at my place.

• 42:33Alex Cooper?

  Oh.

• 42:34Speaker 03

  And, you know, the, it was kind of the, not kind of, but it was the best thing for the both of us. We felt because even though we were, you know, meeting as friends and all that stuff. Even we're doing that.

• 42:46Alex Cooper?

  It's not a thing.

• 42:47Speaker 03

  You know. He, my son was there and my dad was there. So see, the friendship perspective.

• 42:54Alex Cooper?

  Oh yeah, you really were like, meet my, he's probably like, oh my God, I'm meeting the dad.

• 42:57Speaker 03

  No, no, no, no.

• 42:58Alex Cooper?

  You're just a homie.

• 42:59Speaker 03

  No, no, no, no, no, no, no. We actually talked about it and you know, what did he say to me? He was like, well, I'm gonna have to meet him anyways. Like Wes is very like.

• 43:07Alex Cooper?

  I love it. Confident.

• 43:08Speaker 03

  Very. So I'm like, you know, so we meet and again, that's not, that's not like a traditional way. I'm not telling someone to do that.

• 43:15Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 43:16Speaker 03

  But because it's he and I, you know, you're public figures in our world. Unfortunately, oftentimes I think if you jump, you put the cart before the horse, before you are officially together, the world puts this pressure on you and this, it's just become something else that it, it kind of like gets in the way of what, you know, the tru, like the true um thing is that's there could be. So we just were being private, basically.

• 43:40Alex Cooper?

  Love it.

• 43:40Speaker 03

  We were gonna go out to eat dinner and then we kinda like, we just, let's keep it in.

• 43:43Alex Cooper?

  What did you guys do?

• 43:44Speaker 03

  So we just talked and we were supposed to have dinner. Food was like, belly was like content, even though it was hungry, it was content, like you know. Cause we were like talking and talking and talking and it was crazy. Everything that we talked about, like we were aligned on like, and I'm not gonna lie to you. It was one point in time we were talking and he was talking to me and I wasn't hearing nothing he was saying because I was like, he's so beautiful. Like I'm looking at him, I'm like, he's like gorgeous, like, cause I didn't like look, I didn't look him up. I don't wanna know anything about like him before we met.

• 44:19Alex Cooper?

  Right.

• 44:20Speaker 03

  So I'm just like, wow. Yeah, no, I was. I was literally just sitting there like, he's talking, I'm like.

• 44:25Alex Cooper?

  Like, oh wait, but just run, just run, just run.

• 44:27Speaker 03

  But the words were going like this phew over my head and so yes, you know.

• 44:31Alex Cooper?

  Do you agree? You're like, uh huh.

• 44:32Speaker 03

  Exactly.

• 44:33Alex Cooper?

  Uh, what'd you say? Yeah, love that, for sure.

• 44:36Speaker 03

  I mean, I'm hearing what he's saying, I'm in the conversation, but I can't remember all that he was saying, you know, so.

• 44:42Alex Cooper?

  He's looking great.

• 44:43Speaker 03

  It was nice. So we just sat and talked and. I knew, and I said this the other day, when I, when I was talking to him, I was like, this is something different. I knew, like, that I'd never felt what I felt in that moment. I knew this was a different man that I was talking to than, you know, I just knew, like, I just, it was different. Like, so much to the point that I called Yoli, my best friend. I called her after and I said, Yoli, I was like, I don't want to jinx anything, I was like, but I think he's the, she goes, the one, and I go, yes. Like, I, and I've never said that in my life. Never said that in my life. So.

• 45:26Alex Cooper?

  It was meant to be.

• 45:27Speaker 03

  Without a doubt. Without a doubt.

• 45:30Alex Cooper?

  What was it about him that really impressed you that day?

• 45:33Speaker 03

  It was, you know what, his conversation, how he talked about life. It's also a feeling too, you know, it's kind of hard to put in words. But I know, I know what I'm talking to, like I said, those taste buds are activated, like I'm talking to, like, every sense, everything that I had on the palate was like, stim, it was stimulated, it was like, clear, like, um, you know, and so, I just knew, like, even how he talked to my dad, you know? And my son was like moving around and at some point in time, like, he's holding him, like, there was actually this funny thing, y'all think we ever told you about this, but where there's this chair that's like in my living, in my, um, kitchen,

• 46:14Speaker 03

  and the chair is like about to fall over and future is literally, my son is, he's right there and literally Russ like slides in the socks, catches the chair. It honestly, no, it's, this may sound, but no lie, he slides over, catches the chair. And I'm like, okay.

• 46:32Speaker 03

  Okay, Superman, we got a Superman. No, but, you know.

• 46:37Alex Cooper?

  You were literally sitting there like.

• 46:39Speaker 03

  No, it was just everything, no, everything about, everything, like.

• 46:45Speaker 03

  There wasn't one thing that wasn't something like, do you know what I mean?

• 46:49Alex Cooper?

  I know what you're saying too, and I think it's important because obviously like you said, which I love that you're explaining. After a breakup of what you know you don't want anymore and you have that moment within yourself. You quickly align of like, whoa, I gotta get my shit together. Like I didn't like how I felt. I didn't like this, this, this, this. Or I liked this and I want to bring this into my next relationship, whatever it is. But then when you meet that person, especially when you've had maybe not like the healthiest of relationships before.

• 47:15Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 47:16Alex Cooper?

  It's a feeling of like, you still have those like giddy butterflies. Like we said, like you're drooling in the corner.

• 47:21Speaker 03

  Yeah, yeah.

• 47:22Alex Cooper?

  But it's you, there's a sense of like calmness and I remember I, I felt it with my fiance because I, it was like.

• 47:30Alex Cooper?

  He is kept, it keeps me on my toes and it's so exciting, but it's like. Safe and calm and I'm not insecure and I'm not like, there's still that feeling of like, oh, you want to impress them and have fun. But it's a different level of connection where you feel like you've known them for a long time.

• 47:45Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 47:45Alex Cooper?

  You know what I mean?

• 47:46Speaker 03

  It is.

• 47:46Alex Cooper?

  Like there's something there that you're like, whoa, like your souls almost, this is like corny, but like. It's like almost like you knew you were supposed to meet.

• 47:53Speaker 03

  No, one hu- one hundred percent. No, no, no, no, no. One hundred percent like, cause that's what, and also too like, and I, I think I've said this, but just in case. It's like literally the conversation we're having is so aligned, like you're going back and forth and then you're like. You're going like, yes, like everything you're saying is like a fiery kind of feeling to it because. You're like almost talking to yourself a little bit, right? But there's something he made me think about. Um, hold on, wait, let me see. Oh, with the giddy thing, right? What's so amazing and I feel so blessed, um, because now we are in year seven of marriage, eight years of being together. Oh, baby, on our way. No. Is that I still get the giddy feeling. I think it's so important. We always talk about that, right?

• 48:35Speaker 03

  Is that you still wanna, like Russ always says, you know, I, I believe his dad was saying like, you gotta always compete. It's kind of one of his things that he came up with, but. You gotta always compete. So it is that thing where it's like, even though you do build a comfort over time, you still wanna like, you know, you still wanna make sure you keep it like cute. You wanna keep it sexy. You wanna keep it spicy. You wanna keep it fun like, we still do, we do date nights every Friday. Cause in football, that's the off day. So we do date nights every Friday. We stay committed to that and we like look for, it's something I look forward to. And the fires, they burn like, you know, and you still feel like dating all the, the other night we played Uno at dinner and I was like, and I said, babe, can we take the Uno cards? And he was like, yeah, we take, you know, but and he played Uno, but that was the little things.

• 49:21Speaker 03

  And I was like, I had so much, I looked home the next morning, I had so much fun, like. So I think it's like, you know, it's, it's all that, you know, it's like, you know, do you, do you have someone in your life that's also down to try new things with you? Like, do they accept you at your lowest of your low points, right? Like every day is not perfect. Like I've had moments where I look up, you know, and I'm going through a challenging time and he's the one person, the only person I can look to in that moment. And he has, always has the right words to say, like, you know, all those things are important too. Like, how does a person speak to you when you're at your low, right? In your relationship? Cause that's key. Like, it's really you too, like.

• 49:57Alex Cooper?

  So true.

• 49:58Speaker 03

  When it's all said and done, like it's you too, and you have your kids of course too, but like.

• 50:02Alex Cooper?

  It's the two of you.

• 50:02Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 50:03Alex Cooper?

  Even hearing you too, like when he came over, it wasn't just you, like, you had a son, like you have a son, you're like, you're bringing someone into your life that now is not just gonna be a relationship with yourself. You need to also have a relationship with my son. Like, how did he take on being a stepfather?

• 50:20Speaker 03

  He jumped right in. Changing the diapers right away, um, no hesitation. He's an amazing father. Like watching him with all of our kids is like, it is one of the sweetest things. It's one of the sexiest things, to be honest with you. Um, I'm just saying ladies, when a man jumps in and changes the diapers and he be pulling up to the teacher parent conferences and he be, you know.

• 50:45Speaker 03

  It's like, ooh, he surprised Cece at the dentist the other day and she was like daddy and I was like daddy. I would say the same thing too.

• 50:52Alex Cooper?

  Like daddy at the dentist?

• 50:54Speaker 03

  Yeah, I'm like, okay. But it is, that's what you want. Like you, that feels good, you know?

• 51:01Alex Cooper?

  It's so good.

• 51:02Speaker 03

  It, it feels, it feels good when, you know, there's something about a man turning on that part of them. Like, you know, they're manning for you, they're, they're being a man for you, but they're also being a man for your family.

• 51:13Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 51:14Speaker 03

  Like, there's no better feeling than knowing that when we all look up and we, if we look at him, like, he's got us. Like, I know he's gonna wrap his arms around me and my babies fully. Like, there's no depth that he won't go to, go, you know, go to for us or to make sure things are like, right for us. Like, that, that is, it's kinda hard to put that in words, but that feels good.

• 51:54Alex Cooper?

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• 52:39Alex Cooper?

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• 53:22Alex Cooper?

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• 53:48Speaker 03

  What?

• 53:48Alex Cooper?

  What is your favorite part about being married to a professional athlete?

• 53:52Speaker 03

  Oh, gosh. You know what's crazy? I loved football before he came into my life. Like, I'm a tomboy, so I watched the game with my dad growing up.

• 54:03Speaker 03

  But, you know, I mean, I think I say that because I think that you really enjoy, I really enjoy the journey with him. I enjoy the highs and the lows with him. I enjoy his competitive nature. Like, I really respect it. Like, one thing about Russ is like, when it comes to football, he is so dedicated to football. It's like football and family, football and family. Like, I mean, he's really dedicated to his game. And I really admire that. So, obviously, doing what I do, I feel like I get so much of a motivational dose, like, every day on his journey and what I do. Like, I get really inspired, like, you know, you know, you would think that I'm in the huddle with him when he's in the huddle. You would think that, because, like, I'm in this thing, like.

• 54:49Speaker 03

  But we have so much fun, like, sports. You know, sports are such a, it's such a powerful force. Music is a powerful force. So it's such a blessing to have sports and music in our household. But I do enjoy, like, the joy that we get, even, you know, like I said. Say the highs and the lows, getting ready for each Sunday, or if it's a Monday night or a Thursday night. You know, the jump up in our, in our household with the kids, like also being excited and being able, it's just a whole, like, it's, it's a blessing.

• 55:17Alex Cooper?

  I was about to say, like, tell us, what's the vibe of the house on game day? Like, what are we doing?

• 55:23Speaker 03

  Okay, game day, okay, so Russ is a creature of habit. Okay, so he's, he's like very consistent, so it's very routine. Um, you know, he does his body work, his treatment work and all that good stuff. Um, and he's in his piece then, and typically when he does it, I'm with him. So mommy's like, okay, kids, like, I'll be right back, like. But I gotta be there, like, in that zen moment. Um, and then he goes to his motion, prepare for the game, and then. The kids are definitely upstairs running around like chaos, turned up, excited, you know? It's not that serious for them at this age, um, although I will say future is getting more serious, he's also into sports too. So he can feel a little bit of the journey too. Sienna's like, go daddy!

• 56:07Speaker 03

  Yeah, and Wynn's like, go, go daddy. I mean, this is just different levels, right? But, um, we have that flow and then, um, he gets ready, we do, we, he gets ready to roll out the door, we do prayer. Every, every time before a game as a family, he goes off to do his thing and then it's me and the babies, we're getting ourselves together, we ride to the car, we jam out, I'm DJ mama. The kids are DJs too, they all wanna pick their own songs. It's all the good energy rolling up to the stadium. And, um, and then we roll into the suite and then, you know, when you sit down, I'm not gonna lie to you guys, especially being pregnant. The emotional roller coaster is like.

• 56:45Speaker 03

  Oh lord, I be talking to myself, like, I'm, I mean, it's just a journey, I'm like, geez, heart stopped pumping so fast sometimes, like, it's crazy.

• 56:54Alex Cooper?

  I love it though.

• 56:55Speaker 03

  It's crazy, cuz you feel, like I said, I'm, I'm in the huddle too, I'm out there, like, you know.

• 57:01Speaker 03

  You know, I'm, I'm, I'm wanting, you know, always the best outcome, so, um.

• 57:06Alex Cooper?

  So good.

• 57:07Speaker 03

  But it's fun and after the game, we eat dinner together, you know, um, or whatnot and it's, but it's pretty chill. It's, it's exciting, but it's pretty chill, right? Cause it's super, you know, Russ is really serious about what he does and I think it's important that we respect that journey, that process for him.

• 57:22Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 57:22Speaker 03

  You know, on a daily basis. So we try to make sure we kinda, you know, we, we, it's a combination of all that stuff.

• 57:29Alex Cooper?

  I love it.

• 57:30Speaker 03

  But it's fun.

• 57:31Alex Cooper?

  I'm thinking of you saying you're also in the car with your babies. I'm like, do you play them your music? Do they know mom's music?

• 57:36Speaker 03

  When it's new.

• 57:37Alex Cooper?

  Okay.

• 57:38Speaker 03

  I don't like playing my music back to me. I just feel like.

• 57:41Alex Cooper?

  I get it.

• 57:42Speaker 03

  That's kinda weird sometimes.

• 57:43Alex Cooper?

  Do you think?

• 57:44Speaker 03

  But I'm not gonna lie to you.

• 57:45Alex Cooper?

  Oh, tell me.

• 57:46Speaker 03

  When I have a song that I really love, I might listen to myself a little bit, you know, just a little bit. Um, you know, and my kids, they may pick my songs. Like when I put up Level Up, they love that song. Um, I'm honestly, I'm not saying because it's my record, but I really love my song, How We Roll. That's my jam and I ain't gonna lie. I put it on the other day and played it back about seven times. I'm like, this song just feels so good. Like it's me, you know?

• 58:10Alex Cooper?

  Also the same with like Loki and BRB. I was like, okay, like it's, it's, it's a vibe and I, I wonder if Russell plays it in the car for the kids while you're not there. He's like, this is mommy.

• 58:22Speaker 03

  He will, you know, he's really big on like, guys, you gotta listen to mommy's music. He will make sure they know my music or, or hear it and listen to it. But he'll definitely make sure the kids like, you know, support mommy, which is sweet. Like they, I think one day it was like the kids were having a pick between one song or the other. I don't even know what the songs were, but one of them was mine and one wasn't. And he was like, you better pick your mom's song. You know, so.

• 58:44Alex Cooper?

  Like, let's keep it real. We know who we support in this family?

• 58:47Speaker 03

  Let's make sure we, you know?

• 58:49Alex Cooper?

  I love it.

• 58:50Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 58:50Alex Cooper?

  It's really cute to, cause I'm sitting here and I'm like, you've won a Grammy, he's won a Super Bowl. Like you guys are the ultimate power couple. And I think a lot of people look at you guys and envy you obviously. And it's like, whoa, their life is so amazing. Like when you do go through the hard moments, like how do you guys level set each other? Like what is the process of keeping each other grounded and keeping each other like?

• 59:12Speaker 03

  Being able to be honest and communicate, I think has been game changing for us. Um, and even when it's ugly, sometimes it's gotta get a little ugly. Like I said, get a little ugly before you get to the pretty.

• 59:23Speaker 03

  But I just think some, like, there's nothing better for me than knowing, like, I was able to say what I felt fully and he heard me.

• 59:29Alex Cooper?

  Yeah. And don't you like it too?

• 59:31Speaker 03

  And vice versa.

• 59:31Alex Cooper?

  It's different in that type of relationship where you know, like, you're, you're both trying to come back together and like, you both have the same goal. Like, no one's winning. No, we actually just have to hear each other, understand it. Where in other relationships I've had, it's like, oh, this is just an ego thing. Like, I'm never gonna win, because you aren't even listening to what I'm saying.

• 59:48Speaker 03

  When you say the word toxic, it kind of rings a certain way for me, because like I said to you earlier, I'm like, toxic things can do damage to you, can be harmful to you. So, the glorifying of things that are harmful to you will never be cool to me. Never be cool. Like, never be fly, never be the way of, you know, um, it's just, that's just not it to me personally, so.

• 1:00:10Alex Cooper?

  You have this great relationship now, knowing the relationships you've had in the past of like, sometimes you gotta go through the bad to get to the good, like we said. So it is exciting for, I think, for women listening of like, oh, like, even if you're in the trenches right now, listening to this, and you're not in a healthy relationship, or you're not feeling good about yourself, or it's an abusive situation, whatever you're in, like, you can get out.

• 1:00:33Speaker 03

  Yes.

• 1:00:33Alex Cooper?

  And you can find happiness and you can find what you deserve. But again, patience, like, give yourself some grace. It can't happen overnight.

• 1:00:40Speaker 03

  100%.

• 1:00:41Alex Cooper?

  But it is nice to hear from you of like, it can happen.

• 1:00:44Speaker 03

  It can happen, baby.

• 1:00:45Alex Cooper?

  Let's talk about your music, though, because like I said, we were all jamming to it in the office. Say, we were just like laughing, we were blasting it, we're like, how creepy. If she like rolls up and we're just like screaming your music, but now I'm like, I think you would have liked it.

• 1:00:56Speaker 03

  I love that. I might jump in and dance with you, ay.

• 1:01:00Alex Cooper?

  You're EPCC. I need to understand.

• 1:01:03Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 1:01:03Alex Cooper?

  Who is Cece? Who is Ciara? Talk to me about the two.

• 1:01:06Speaker 03

  So, Cece and Ciara are connected. It's not an alter ego.

• 1:01:09Alex Cooper?

  Okay.

• 1:01:10Speaker 03

  But there is an energy that comes out when you say Cece. Like, I turn my lip up a little bit, she get a little stank with it. I'm from Atlanta, so you know, there's a lot of soul in what we do there. And, um, you know, when I came up, it was obviously my nickname, but people would be like, you know, when they say, go Cece, go Cece, go, go Cece, go Cece. Like, there's an energy that comes with that. There's a film that comes with that and it's, you know, it's, I would say, um, I just, I really on this project, I wanted to make sure I had those core elements of what that is, because that's something special for me from a music standpoint.

• 1:01:45Alex Cooper?

  Yeah.

• 1:01:45Speaker 03

  Like when you say go Cece, when you say go Cece, go Cece, go, like, there's something about that, that's just like a little, it's a little saucy. You know, and so, um, you know, that, that's kind of it. It's not an alter ego though.

• 1:01:58Alex Cooper?

  Yeah. It's just like a little bit more of like,

• 1:02:01Speaker 03

  A little more sass.

• 1:02:02Alex Cooper?

  Yeah, like a little sassy vibe.

• 1:02:03Speaker 03

  She got a little more sass to her. Cece era, you know, if you talk to me and I'm in my like Sierra mode,

• 1:02:12Speaker 03

  and it depends on the situation, I try to like, you know, like Michelle said, when they go low, you go high.

• 1:02:17Alex Cooper?

  Yep.

• 1:02:17Speaker 03

  You know, that kind of thing. Cece might, she might snap back a little bit. She might bite back a little bit, just a little bit.

• 1:02:24Alex Cooper?

  I love it. I love it.

• 1:02:26Speaker 03

  A little more, you know.

• 1:02:27Alex Cooper?

  What do you want people to like feel when they're listening to this music? Like, is there a specific place you envision people listening to it? What's the vibe?

• 1:02:35Speaker 03

  I feel like this music on this project is kind of like that perfect house party energy, where you can like kick back if you want to. It's feel good. It's a little, it's a sexy record, but it's also, if you want to like chill back, people, if you want to roll up, roll up on the skates or roll up literally if you want to, you know, put toast up to it if you want to. My song Too In Love, it's a slower record. That's a moment where I'm trying to remember, it's like one night Russ and I like had a little bit of a disagreement.

• 1:03:08Speaker 03

  And I'm like, gosh, like the truth is I'm just too in love, you know?

• 1:03:14Alex Cooper?

  No, when I was listening to it, I was like, oh my gosh, like this is like really like all about how in love you are and I love it.

• 1:03:20Speaker 03

  It's so sweet.

• 1:03:21Alex Cooper?

  It's so sweet.

• 1:03:22Speaker 03

  Well, you know, it's that feeling on that record where it's like you're upset. Like, you know, I watched this TikTok or something someone was doing and. They were like mad at each other. It's like this is how couples do when you're mad like but you still love each other and like you slam the car, you let them in the car but you slam their hard or you like gotta give them food but you open the fridge with attitude and you close the fridge with attitude like that kind of energy. So like on two in love, I'm like, like you, he always put his arms around me a certain way and like if he doesn't do it, I'm like, like with someone we're sleeping, I'm like, I feel that like, but I mean, I want to be mad too, but I want you to put your arm on me like, you know, I'm like, it's like all those kind of feelings. So before I put this project out, it's exactly like what I wanted to be and there's no better feeling than that.

• 1:04:07Alex Cooper?

  Yeah, you now being able to do things on your own and figure out what you want to continue to sound like as your career continues to grow and expand.

• 1:04:16Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 1:04:17Alex Cooper?

  Um, it's just truly was such an honor sitting with you today because like you are such an accomplished woman and, and sitting with you and getting any of the wisdom we can get from you today, Ciara, I know I'm like, I'm taking it in note. I'm like, everyone's writing notes. Like you're just such an inspiration and it's really surreal for me to sit down with you today because I'm such a fan and thank you, thank you, thank you. And congrats on your baby.

• 1:04:39Speaker 03

  Thank you.

• 1:04:39Alex Cooper?

  So happy you're expanding the family. Maybe we'll see a number five at one point.

• 1:04:44Speaker 03

  You sound like Russ. Like don't get crazy now. Okay. Let's just go one baby at a time.

• 1:04:49Alex Cooper?

  Thank you.

• 1:04:50Speaker 03

  Thank you. I had so much fun and congratulations to you. You were like killing it. Like I think there was this new article on about you on Forbes and um, you know, I mean, keep on doing what you're doing. You're obviously doing, um, you're obviously giving a platform for women. You've created a platform for women that is very important and critical and your personality is incredible. So keep on shining your light.

• 1:05:13Alex Cooper?

  Thank you.

• 1:05:14Speaker 03

  Yeah.

• 1:05:14Alex Cooper?

  Thank you. Cheers. Woo. We did it.

• 1:05:17Speaker 03

  Call it daddy.

• 1:05:34Alex Cooper?

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