Ciara took a significant risk on herself and emerged victorious almost two decades ago. In an interview with Bustle published on Thursday, February 13, the renowned “Goodies” songstress shared the story of how she defied the odds by leaking her track “Promise” back in 2006 after a Sony executive dismissed it as “the worst R&B record.” At the age of 39, Ciara decided to take matters into her own hands with this bold move.
“We leaked it at an Atlanta radio station, and to our amazement, the song skyrocketed and became a massive hit,” she reminisced. The outcome of this daring move? “I ended up achieving my first No. 1 album. That week was truly monumental — it was me, Gwen Stefani, Eminem, and so many others.”
Reflecting on her experiences, Ciara also shared the story of investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in promoting her song “Gimme Dat” in 2010, both as a single and with a music video. Unfortunately, this gamble did not yield the same success as “Promise” did on the music charts.
“There have been moments where things didn’t go as planned,” she revealed. “But I’ve always stayed true to my beliefs, and I refuse to give up hope.”
When it comes to defining success, Ciara emphasized that she does not rely solely on accolades as a measure of her achievements. She highlighted the example of her 2013 hit “Body Party,” which topped the R&B/hip-hop radio charts but did not receive the expected award nominations.
“Despite having a chart-topping song that made a significant impact, there are times when the metrics don’t necessarily translate into recognition,” she explained. “If I were to base my success solely on awards, I might feel like a failure.”
Now, more than 20 years after her breakthrough with “Goodies,” Ciara continues to be deeply connected to her music. In 2024, she embarked on a tour alongside Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and Timbaland for the Out of This World — The Missy Elliott Experience. During part of the tour, she brought her family along, including her husband Russell Wilson and their children Future, Sienna, Win, and Amora.
Recalling the experience of touring with her kids, Ciara exclusively shared with PEOPLE the joy of having her family by her side. “My children were with me on the road, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
Describing the vibrant energy during the tour, she added, “They were like little tour babies, having the time of their lives with Auntie Missy and Uncle Busta. The atmosphere was simply incredible.”
Reflecting on the summer tour with her four children, including the youngest addition born in December 2023, Ciara expressed her gratitude for
