Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Montana Tucker: Be Proud To Be You

Episode Date: June 3, 2021

TikTok superstar and all-around inspiration, Montana Tucker, joins Kaitlyn to start off Pride Week by sharing details around her new single, “Be Myself” and talking all about finding your passions and sticking to them, no matter what the haters say. Kaitlyn and Montana bond over their shared love of dancing, the beauty of TikTok for finding your niche, and their biggest inspirations (obviously Britney is discussed). Montana opens up about the bullying she faced in school and why, despite the occasional troll and unwelcomed comparison culture, she’s incredibly grateful for social media. Stay tuned for Kaitlyn and Montana’s upcoming TikTok collab… you won’t want to miss it!  You can find Montana on Instagram @montanatucker and make sure to check out her new single, Be Myself, on June 4! HYUNDAI - Learn more at hyundai.com. APOSTROPHE - To get started, just go to Apostrophe.com/VINE and click Begin Visit, then use our code VINE at sign up and you’ll get fifteen dollars off your dermatology visit! GEICO - Go to geico.com and in 15 minutes you could be saving 15% or more on car insurance. FUNCTION OF BEAUTY - Go to FunctionofBeauty.com/offthevine to take your quiz and save 20% on your first order. OXICLEAN - Visit OxicleanCoupons.com now where a coupon is waiting for you PLUTO TV - Download the free Pluto TV app and start streaming now!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Okay, listen up if you love a good slow burn romance, and let's be real, who doesn't? You need to check out the new Audible Original of Pride and Prejudice. It's an intimate performance that literally makes you feel like you're right there swooning with Lizzie Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Marisa Abella as Elizabeth and Harris Dickinson as Darcy, I'm obsessed. So whether it is your first time with Jane Austen or your 50th, this version is such a fresh, fun listen. Go to audible.ca slash Jane Austen to dive in. We start with O.C.R. Podcast One presents Off the Vine, Great Therapy.

Caitlin Bristow is going to answer your question. Drink to your confessions and hear what you have to say about anything Bachelor. Let's shake it up some more. Here's Caitlin. Welcome to Grape Therapy, aka Thirsty Thursday, and it is probably. Month, loud and proud for all of my LGBTQ2 Vinos, friends, family, not just this month, all months, but extra, extra this month. So to kick off, I have Montana Tucker joining me today to talk about her new single, Be Myself, featuring Todrick Hall, which is dropping tomorrow and it's all in support of Pride Month as it was picked up by Zumba as their Pride Anthem. And they have a really fun video challenge that they'll be announcing where they'll be donating a dollar for every time a video is

made to It Gets Better Organization. I am all for helping incredible causes gain traction and you can bet I will be making a video myself. So speaking of videos, we of course talk about Montana's TikTok megastar status from the amazing dance videos that she creates, her childhood and the bullying she's experienced and how that led her to being a huge anti-bullying advocate, as well as how she is dedicated to using her social platforms for a positive influence for her fans of all ages. We also talk about some fun things like all the A-Less superstars. She has danced alongside and recorded with. God, I hope she's danced with Britney Spears.

And side note, vinos, you'll get to hear from the owner of the small business that was chosen for last month's Pump Your Tires, Asian-owned business in an upcoming episode. But in the meantime, for this month, June, with it being Pride Month, this theme, of course, is going out to any and all LGBT2-plus owned businesses. We're switching it up just to make it a bit. easier to nominate so that all you have to do is tag the business and pump your tires post on the Off The Vine Instagram at Off The Vine podcast and that is it. Okay, a good dose of great therapy coming at you. Hi, how are you? Hi, I'm great. How are you? I'm so good. Thank you for

joining me today. I know you have a busy, a busy day and I'm just a hot mess express over here. Like, I can't tell if I'm allergic to something if I have allergies or if I'm sick. Those are what I'm going. What happened? What happened? I don't know. So yesterday, actually the last two days, I've had like this brutal stomach ache, like cramping and stomach ache.

And then yesterday, like, around, I don't know, sometimes in the day, my throat started getting sore. And then last night, I was up all night coughing. And but everyone in Nashville is saying how bad their allergies are right now and that it's like, having the AC blasting in your house and with the allergies like everyone's having like a scratchy throat and a stuffy nose and I'm like oh this is this is fun but yeah anyways so I heard honestly I think it is for sure allergies everyone I know is going through it also so really okay that makes me feel better because in the world we're living in to like tell people you feel

sick I'm like good thing we're oh you can't and you god forbid you cough no no no no no if it's on a podcast like Zoom I don't feel as bad but I still have like this incredible insecurity around coughing in public now. Like I think that's of everyone is suffering from that. But my gosh, okay, dance idol, TikTok megastar, anti-bullying advocate, singer with a new single and a personal story as well as incredible initiative behind your new single. I'm like, I don't even know where to begin. I feel like I like to think we have a lot in common besides the fact that my TikTok status

isn't as incredible. I need to look at your TikToks. We need to, we need to film one together, okay? Okay, that's what we need to do because I, I'm just not consistent on TikTok. Is that like a secret to getting, like, how do you freaking get to 7.4 million followers on TikTok? Not, I mean, obviously because you're talented AF, but also, like, you must have to be consistent with that. It's honestly crazy because I started TikTok like a year and a half ago and it was so fast. And then I've been like on Instagram for, I don't even know how long.

um it's just i think tic talk it's easier it's a lot easier to grow than instagram personally i found i find if you have a skill yeah i mean but you know what people always think that it's just like little girls dancing and it's so not bad i think ticot has something for everyone you can find like i like learned stuff on there i find out all these interesting facts that i never knew and there's just so much you can find out on ticot but even like doctors are on it um i mean there's just like everything. So I think that it's TikTok, like once you find your niche and your thing, then go with it. That's a good point because I think people are really starting to learn the power behind TikTok and the education you can like bring to yourself because there's, like you said,

there's something for everybody. Even we were talking with Kevin O'Leary from Shark Tank yesterday and he got on TikTok and, you know, he was like, I didn't think I would ever do that. But that's because people don't understand that there's something for cooking, there's education, there's dancing, like, you're passionate about, there's something for everyone on there, which is so cool. I'm so passionate about dancing. The fact that you got to dance with Sierra, like, I did an event with her one time and I walked up to her and like, like, my jaw was dropped because I was like, I used to watch you dancing, like, all growing up, I wanted to be a backup dancer for Sierra.

That was my goal in life. Goodies, like, goodies made me just die. But my real, my real, I mean, I love Sierra. I still think she's so incredible. But my, like, Britney's Rose was definitely the first person that made me want to. to do anything um and then and then jlo i mean jlo and i'm still to this day like insanely like it's probably like unhealthy how stuff's sam with her but it's okay no that's i mean there's there's reason it's not like like she's just so talented have you ever met brittany spires or jalo

i met jalo i actually got to do a video with her it's still it still doesn't feel real because you know you like look up to people and you're like they're so untouchable like there's no way i ever even breathe the same air as them because they're just that amazing and um i just always love jalo i've always i've worked with a lot of people that she's worked with and i actually did this tribute video to her where i recreated all her videos so i did like love don't cost a thing i did jenny from the block and i did um get right and this is like how sick of i'm she has like a sweat stain on in the video so like i made sure i had a sweat stain there like i i did it up like I literally did it up.

And you saw it and liked it, comment to shared it. And then we have the same vocal coach, Stevie Mackey. And they were, it was the end of her Vegas residency. And they were wanting like creators to come in and like promote the ending of a residency. So my vocal coach recommended me to her. And she was like, oh my God.

Yes. Like I know who this is. Whatever. Like, let's have her come. So they brought me to Vegas. And I did a whole video with like on her planet Hollywood stage with all her dancers. And then she comes out at the end. And it was just insane.

Wow, that's freaking iconic. That, okay, wait, now that you're saying all this, I feel like I saw that. And I remember, did it get posted on, like, so many different channels because it's possible. I think so. I really believe I saw that somewhere. Like, was it like two years ago? It was like two years ago. Yeah.

I swear. Now that you're saying all that, I was like, wait, I remember because I remember being wildly impressed with how committed you were to the J-Lo role. Oh, I was committed. I was committed. I went for it. look into how I saw that because I think it got reposted obviously so many times and then I think it was on like comments by celebs that she had commented on it or something. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I'm getting like flashbacks to all that. Wow, that's incredible. That's yeah, J-Lo's, I mean, I totally get,

Britney Spears inspired me. I used to dance and I auditioned for Britney Spears new perfume campaign and I danced around like different provinces in Canada to her song. And I was like, I was like, I've made it. I dance to Brittany Spear is like I can retire now yeah yeah I was like 60 that's all you need yeah oh my god okay so now we have to do a dance video together we have to I it's so I live for TikTok dances that's like that's what I follow just because I mean dancing is a passion of mine dancing wine and podcasting and like humor those are like my things on TikTok those are really good ones those are good right those are really good one what was like your breakthrough dance or singing role that you're like okay here we go game on oh i think you know i've

been in the entertainment industry since i was eight which is so crazy wow i'm like old and wow what the heck that's so young um but i've been doing it i've just always like even my mom found these videos of me when i was like four and five like trying to direct people like my friends come over thinking they're having like a calm little sleepover and i'm like no no no we're gonna like you're like five six seven eight oh yeah i'm like we're gonna pretend we're in the wizard of and like I'm going to play the good witch and the bad witch because I can do both like I was crazy um and then I did Barney when I was younger um I did a too really Ariana a grande called adventure kids I was on PBS so wow it a lot when I was younger and then I always just loved to dance but never really

took a dance lesson and I don't know if you remember actually you would if you loved Brittany you would remember Darren's dance grooves like do you remember Darren Henson yes okay so it was like learn how to dance like britties beer and sing whatever yeah i begged my mom to like take me had a workshop in florida i'm from florida yeah begged her to take me to his workshop and so we went to the workshop and after the class he's like i need to speak to your parents and so he went and spoke to my mom was like you need to move her to la or new york and at the time like my family couldn't just like get up and move so my mom actually opened a dance company in florida with darren called pock stars And this is before social media, like, I mean, there was like maybe YouTube-ish, like kind of, not real.

I don't even think YouTube's around. Yeah. And so she'd bring all these choreographers down from L.A. and New York to Florida. So like Wade Robson, you know, we are. Oh, yeah. Lurian Gibson. Wow. I mean, just like every big choreographer came down to Florida. And then that's kind of how I got into dancing, won the world hip-hop championships when I was 11.

Wow. Really young and I'm old, you know. And while hearing the ages out loud, it's just like, oh, that's crazy. Well, that's cool, because you've done so much if you think about it. I'm like, at eight years old, I was like, my mom had to tell me to not pick my nose. Like, I was not. That's where I was at in my life. No, it's great.

But you know what it's crazy also because most people know me from like my TikTok dance videos and probably think like, oh, I just started maybe like a year or two ago. I'm like, no, no, no, I haven't done this for a long time. I've been grinding since I was four years old. grinding, but I mean, that's, that's a career though. Yeah, it's been, you know what? And I'm honestly so thankful for it because my career kind of took all these different paths. I think like social media definitely, because I've done a lot of, a lot and, you know, I had songs and like the step up to the streets, dance movie and bring it on movie. And I had a song with a flow rider when

I was 16. And I've done all this stuff, but social media, I think is definitely just, I mean, I'm so grateful for it. I mean, people want to talk really, like, say bad things. about social media, which I think it does have its pros and cons. Absolutely. But for me, I think it's just, it's really changed my life in such an incredible way. And I think it's so awesome that you can make these, you know, I started off making my Instagram dance videos, which are these one minute videos. And it's like crazy how much a one minute video can like impact someone's life or can get, can be seen by 20 million people or something crazy like that, you know. So I'm really grateful for it. you know, I, I love creating, and that's why I do love Instagram and TikTok and these

apps because it gives you a chance to, like, be creative on a smaller level. Obviously, the dream is like being movies and TV shows and all these things that are going to just be this on a bigger level. But I just, yeah, I love it. So I would say social media is what really changed everything. You're right. That is so cool, just how many people you can reach doing something that you love. And like you said, obviously there's.

some negative about social media and we'll get into bullying and all of that because I've experienced that online myself but it's I was on a call was it last night I'm part of this raw beauty campaign where we talk you know it's a group of women that come together and we talk about like relationship with food and how we see ourselves and how we talk to ourselves and all these things and Aaron who is the founder of raw beauty she's been on the podcast so many times And she said, you know, when she was younger, she used to just wait for those cosmopolitan magazines, YM, all those ones to show up at her door. And it would be telling her, you know, you have to look this way or act this way to guys to think you're cute and to be successful. And it was all about image.

And she goes, now with social media, another beautiful thing about it is you get to be the editor of what you, like the media that you take in. So you can unfollow people that don't, you know, make you feel good about yourself. You can follow the people that inspire you. and you can be the editor of your own media intake. And I just thought that was a really cool thing as well. Grab a coffee and discover nonstop action with BudMGM Casino. Check out our hottest exclusive. Friends of One with Multi-Drop.

Wanted even more options? Play our wide variety of table games. Or head over to the arcade for nostalgic casino thrills only available at BetMGM. Download the BetMGM Ontario app today. 19 plus to wager, Ontario only. Please play responsibly. If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact Connix Ontario at 1866-531, 2,600, to speak to an advisor free of charge.

But MGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming, Ontario. Now back to Off the Vine Grape Therapy. But I did want to ask one question just because I know I didn't, I didn't ever make it as a dancer. I wanted to so badly. And it was like why I moved to Vancouver from my small town. And that was like my next step to get to L.A. and I really wanted to make it as a dancer. But you had a different path you were supposed to be on.

1,000 percent. 1,000 percent. And I'm like, that's crazy because I, like, love everything that's happened in my life. And then I ended up winning dancing with the stars. So I'm like, okay, I started it as a dancer. I love that so much. I have done a lot with Gleb, a few videos of Gleb. Oh, yeah, yeah.

But I've done to you with Gleb and Alan, actually. I did a few with Alan and Max. actually I did one with Max. Max is always. They're all amazing. That's awesome. But I was like so much rejection. And like since you started with at such a young age, how I mean, you had to have dealt

with rejection at something. Maybe you didn't. Maybe you were just like. Yeah, I have. Yeah. And how did that shake your confidence to, and how did you continue to move through that? You know, I think that's why I make a lot of the content that I make in the song that I have coming out, like the message behind it, why.

It means so much to me. And, you know, I have done videos with people who have zero followers and people who have a gazillion followers. You know, it doesn't matter. I think when I'm passionate about someone or something, you know, I had a song before I'm not alone that was with people with all different abilities and all different walks of life, four kids with Down syndrome in the video and just like the most incredible things. I think in my life, I've been told no so many times. And I've also, I used to do a lot of modeling when I was younger. and the reason why I stopped doing it is because I felt so insecure about my body. I would go to these castings and I would be near people and it was like at such a like young age,

you know, and I would just know that I don't look like everybody else and I would just feel like insecure. And, you know, once my mom started seeing that's when she was like, okay, we're not doing this anymore, you know, because it was like getting to me so much. And listen, still to this day, obviously with social media, we compare ourselves to everyone. And like, you're not human if you don't do that, I think. I think everyone is not guilty of doing it, but in a sense, we are, you know, like you look at people's lives. People are only posting their highlight reels on social media.

And I mean, some people really post the real stuff, which I think is amazing as well. But, you know, I think it's so hard to not compare yourself and so hard to, even when people tell, you know, like, as a singer, I've been told no so many times. As a dancer, I've been told no so many times. And I think that, like, I am just so incredibly passionate about what I do. And I have been for so long that I just know I'm, like, meant to do this. I know it. And no matter how, like, no matter how many times I've been told no, or how many times, like, people have said, like, oh, maybe we should try this instead.

Like, even as a young, you know, girl, I've been told, like, it's hard. And I'm sure you can relate to this also with online. You know, you see a lot of women that, and I'm not doubting them at all, but are posting like half naked photos all the time and are posting certain things that you're like, oh, do I need to do this for attention? Are people, people not going to like me if I don't, if I don't post something like that. And I've had plenty of offers also to do stuff like that. And I just, I think I've stayed true to myself and I've believed in what I'm about. And I think that's why I'm where I'm at today. And I hope to go way further than. where I'm at now and and I think it's just I think the most the most powerful people and the most successful people when you hear their stories they all have been told no so many times I don't know if you ever watched katie Perry's documentary yes I loved it but incredible right yeah so good star she's she's she's incredible and she lived out of her car and she was told no she would never make it even Britney Spears was turned down by every label yeah um saying this girl cannot sing she will never

make it blah blah blah and then like an So I think it's, it's one of the hardest things to do to believe in yourself and not give up. It sounds like, oh, just believing yourself, but it's so hard. Well, when everyone else is telling you no and you're telling yourself to just keep believing in yourself, even though you're getting turned down time and time again, like that's, that's some character building right there. And that shows your passion. Like you said, you're so passionate about what you do and that shows.

And that passion alone will get you so far if it's doing what you want to do. 100%. I think, listen, plenty of people just get lucky and wake up one day and just like something happens. And that's so awesome for them. But, you know, it doesn't always happen that way. And so I think life's a journey and life's a, you know, whatever you're trying to do, whether you're trying to be a doctor or a lawyer or musician or anything, it's going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of, you know, believing in yourself and a lot of ups and downs. So yeah. So many ups and downs. Yeah. I mean, that's all just part of it. And like you said, like when you hear, people's stories are the people that have really made it and made it big it's their stories are always the most incredible part about how they got there and i know with june being pride month our interview could not be better timed for your single that we'll talk about called be myself it's dropping tomorrow and my vinos i feel like they wanted to ask you you know about the lyrics and the music video that you created for it and the song so tell me the meaning behind the song and what it stands for Yes. So kind of like what I was saying before, I feel like this song, I'm so excited about the song because a lot of the music I've put out before has been just like really fun dance music, feel good dance music. And I love that so much. But this song in particular is really like something that I'm always trying to portray in my social media, but I've never really like made it into a song. And so I wrote this song with my friend Justin Jesso. Justin is an incredible songwriter. He's the singer on stargazing.

with Kaigo and he wrote that song and he's just an incredible artist and then um my friends lash and Shindo produced it and Shindo is the producer of Peaches by Beber. This is really cool and we're all just kind of friends and all of us I mean I was friends with all them separately and brought everyone together to do this and I think that's why the song came out that they did because it was like a lot of times you kind of get like not forced into sessions with people but you get set up by like a label or whatever saying okay like we want you to work with this person it's just kind of like was like, I'm friends with all of them and I'm like, let's just like do this. I really want to get in the studio and create something meaningful. And that's just kind of how, how that happened. And,

you know, I think reverting back to everything that we've said, you know, people are always nowadays trying to make people into someone that they're not or you're feeling like you have to be someone you're not because you're seeing people online and because maybe you were bullied when you were little and you're feeling like, okay, it's clearly not them. It's like you always want to think it's you. And really when you're bullied, it's always them, by the way. Yeah. Yeah. But, you know, a lot of people are going through so much nowadays in the younger generation and they all follow me. And so this song is not just something for me. It's really for everyone else to be proud of who you are.

You know, people are always going to try to change you. It's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to go the opposite way of what people are telling you to be. Just be yourself and be proud of who you are. So I wrote the song and then I was listening to it over and over. And I'm like, this song, I feel, you know, I'm an ally. to the pride to the pride community and I just felt like this song was just so perfect for the pride community and LGBTQ community. And so I reached out to my friend Todger Call who is just

so beyond incredible. I mean, are you familiar with Toddger? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So he is one of the most talented people I've ever met my entire life. Like I don't even know how his brain works. It's just insane. And and so I reached out to him. I did a few videos with him, you know, like on TikTok and stuff like that. I reached out to him, sent him the song, and he loved it and got on it. And so that was really exciting. And then the music video took the song to a whole other level, which that I'm really excited about. I don't want to say too much about the video, but have a lot of fun cameos from a few different creators and that. And the music video is really powerful. It kind of follows my experience of being bullied and Tajik's experience of being bullied throughout middle school.

high school and then shows us kind of where we are today so it's it's a really really powerful video excited that is powerful it's and it's so important to show that showcase like the good bad and the ugly you know like it's for for younger generations to see and understand and relate to and know that they're not alone and it's just so incredible to see how many people are stepping up to share their stories and you know that's again another blessing of social media is people being able to share their stories and and for people to not feel so alone because I mean, everyone does the comparison thing and I always keep trying to tell my niece of like inspirational accounts to follow and things that are going to make her feel good, you know,

and it's hard to tell young kids that, but I think that you can do that through music and through dance and through your stories and music videos. I think that's incredible. And like you said, you've always been like a huge anti-bullying advocate and you've done speaking at events and panels And, of course, on your social media platforms as well. And you just said that you were bullied for most of your childhood. So of course, social media wasn't around during that time. But what was that like for you experiencing that at such a young age? You know what?

I can't even imagine what it would be like if social media was around. To be honest with you, because that's why I feel so much for kids nowadays. Because you get, you know, I got the bullies, the in-person bullies. But the cyber bullies are a million times worse, actually. And so I get that part of it. And so like I just, I can't even imagine, right? But for me, I, you know, like I said, I've, like I said, I've been doing this since I was eight years old. So I would always, you know, miss a lot of school. And I would have like commercials that were on TV, you know, that everyone would see or Barney or all these things that I did. And my mom said, if I want to do this career, I have to be in honors and AP classes, which is very hard missing school all the time and totally. But I did it somehow. And so all the kids, you know, thought that I felt that I was better than. them because I was never at school. And I thought I was cool because I was on TV. And so they would walk in the halls and be like, oh my God, look, it's Montana Tucker. And they wouldn't let me sit with them at lunch. I had to sit in the bathroom stall for like, I did it for like a month before

I told my mom. And then I finally told her. And then she came every day to school. And I sat in her car for lunch every single day. Oh, your mom sounds like an angel. She's the best. My mom, my mom has always managed me. So it manages me. And yeah, she's incredible. always there. And so, yeah, so that's crazy. And then also growing up, you know, I was like a little bit like bigger than most of the girls. And so I was always made fun of for that. I was called Montana a bunch of times when I was younger. It was, it was terrible. And so I imagine that with social media. I, I, I just can't. But, and then, you know, I think that's why I make the videos that I make. And that's why I have this song coming out because it, you know, the song is obviously so

personal as I corroded with Justin. And also I hear I have my fans writing me all the time sharing their stories. I mean, I'm sure with you and your podcast, you probably get so many people writing into you about things they're going through and how you've helped them with your podcast and everything. It's, you know, there's no better feeling than that, right? To know that's something that you're doing is changing someone else's life. Like that's such a wild concept, but it's so incredible that we can do that, you know? It really is. Like I get emotional all the time when people say things like that because sometimes I'll be like, oh, I'm so like tired or this. And then I'll just see one message and I'll be like, God, I don't even care if I get paid or not like that to me is so

fulfilling and like rewarding. And that's what always I've dreamt of in my life is having like some sort of voice and like able to reach people and have a community. And I didn't, you know, obviously know what that was ever going to look like. I thought I was going to have my own radio show when I was little. I used to walk around with a little microphone like. now you have a podcast. I know. And I'm like, it's again, I'm so passionate about it. And it's just so, um, just rewarding. Like you said, and I know you're so connected to your fans. And, and they're, that means everything to them. You know, like that's, that's the people that you should be responding to and having those conversations with. And I know you do a really good job

at that. And, um, always. I'm, I mean, I always get yelled out by my like, friends and everyone around me because they're like, can you get off your phone? But I'm like, I'm literally just, like liking every comment responding to every comment like no one else has access to my Instagram I do art and TikTok I do it all my own so it's time consuming but I I I wouldn't want it any other way I would never want somebody else on my accounting for me or or or not responding to them you know yeah it's it's it is a big job but it again the fulfillment and like people knowing that it is you it just goes such a long ways you know it's such an easy thing it's time consuming but that goes such a long way

this is off the vine grape therapy and i know you don't want to tell too many secrets but you do have like a challenge that you're going to do right for the yes yes tell me about that i'm actually um i'm really excited because i'm doing i don't know if you've ever seen on ticot they do like the sound off lives so i'm doing an official live with ticot um that's going to it's going to be a banner up on on ticot's page and i'm doing it on monday So I'm really excited for everyone, if everyone wants to tune into that. And I'm going to be doing it with Tadrick. And we're going to be talking a lot about the song, what the song means to us.

And then we're going to teach the dance that we made up for TikTok. It's a little, a little TikTok challenge. And then we're also doing the Be Myself Challenge, which is you don't have to be a dancer to do this. And something that I love about TikTok of the app is that it gives a chance for everyone to be themselves. And it's you, you'll come across people that have no. No arms and no legs, but dance and love to dance. And you'll find, you know, someone with, like, maybe like a skin deformity that people are always making fun of them.

But then they've gone to TikTok to share their stories. And now they're getting millions of viewers and all these people loving them. And, you know, you see all these, like, emotional, amazing stories on there. And it gives people a confidence that they never had, you know. And so that's what we're going to, you know, imply in this, in this challenge, implement, is that, you know, show why you're proud to be yourself, whatever it is. show your story whatever you've gone through to where you're at now we want to see it all of like what you're proud of and like why you're proud to be yourself so if you want to dance you can

dance if you want to show pictures of your childhood and then like the glow up now however you want to do it we want to you know want to see it so we're going to announce we're we're going to talk about that a lot on there as well and you know on tic talk and we're so excited to see all the all the videos dancing or not dancing it's it's going to be awesome i love that i love when people use their platform to make people feel good and to you know do good things with it and what you're doing i know that you're doing a dollar will be donated for every video made to the organization it gets better yes so that's with zumba actually we partnered with zumba and um which is really awesome so all their instructors the zumba instructors have actually had access to the song a little bit earlier than the rest of the

world and zoom was incredible i mean i've been working with them for three years now on the dancing And now with the music coming out, they're really just so incredible and so supportive. And so yeah, so we're doing every video doing the Zumba choreography made to the song, $1 going to the It Gets Better Foundation. And it's cool. Tadrake has worked with them before. This is my first time working with them. And I think they're just absolutely incredible and everything that they do.

And we've already had like thousands of videos made to the song with Zumba, which is kind of insane to see like because Zimbab's all over the world. it's every country has zumba like literally every country country's i've never heard of yeah so it's it's really really cool to see these videos come in and like everyone is just so you know proud of of the song and proud of what zumba's doing and obviously everyone always wants to give back in any way or shape or form so it's it's it's really awesome to be able to do that yeah that's huge i mean that's huge and i just i just wanted to say like thank you for being an inspiration to you know people online and and and you using your platform for all this good work and giving back and you're just your passion and how

you use your social media platforms to influence others. I think it's really important. And I mean, I think I know the answer to this, but I just want to hear from you of why it's so important to you. Yeah, well, thank you for saying that, by the way. I mean, I think you're absolutely incredible on what you're doing as well. And it's hard to, you know, it's hard to come across these days of especially as a female and industry that we're in and everything. It's definitely hard. I think, I think what you're doing is absolutely. And thank you. And I think just with social media in general, it's, it's so not knocking anyone now, but you see these people have, you know, these platforms and they're posting things on there that I'm like, do you know who's following you

and like really will do anything you say? Yeah. And it's just, it's crazy. Like, you have to watch everything you say or do because you're always people are going to. You're a role model. Yeah. And so thank you. And so it's just, you know, it's crazy. But why this stuff means so watch me again, you know, because of my upbringing and childhood and things that I went through and then getting onto social media and having, you know, my fans writing me their stories of things that they're going through. It's like, okay, everyone thinks that they have it. You know, you always think like, why am I going through this? Like, why is this happening to me? Like, you know, my life is so terrible sometimes. And we've all been there before we think that. And

then you like, hear somebody else's story and you're like, gosh, like, I can't imagine, right? I think everyone's going through something and that's why I think you have the opportunity to be able to be a positive influence on somebody and make their day even like not even just like outside of social media even saying hi to somebody on the street like it's crazy that you don't know what that like I've even had a bad day before and like some like nice little old lady will like say hi to me and like I want to cry and I'm like but you know what I mean it's like little little acts like that and little things can like really change someone's you know mind and life and so if with social media we have millions of people that are watching our stuff if if one little

thing like saying hi to someone on a street can change something imagine what you could do with you know a full platform of people so yeah that's amazing uh and then just a few questions from my listeners hana p wanted to know how do you deal with struggles of truly identifying yourself Ooh. Again, I think I keep reverting back to social media, but it's like so hard because you see all these other people and you're like, oh, I want my hair to be like that. I want my body to be like that or like, look at her traveling everywhere. Like, I just want to travel everywhere. And she's just a social media influencer. She probably doesn't do anything all day except travel and get her hair done and get her makeup done. And, you know, I think it's so hard to identify who you are when you have all this outside influence trying to tell you. what to be and who to be. And I think, again, you have to really, like, deep, like, sit down with yourself and dig deep and say, like, okay, what are my passions? Like, what do I really want to do? Not what everyone else is telling me to do. Like, what do I, like, am I into fashion? Like, am I really into this? Or do I feel like my friends are into it so that I should be into it? Like, do I like

science? Do I want to be an astronaut? Like, whatever it is, you have to, like, sit down with yourself and see, like, do I see myself doing this for the rest of my life? Like, do I want to do this? Or am I just temporarily interested in it let me look into it let me see what it is i think it's i think what's so cool about our what we're like the world we're living in is we kind of could be whoever we want to be if we set our minds really and you know we have that opportunity right so i think it's like no matter what age you're at obviously when you're younger you don't really know exactly always what you want to do and that's totally fine you shouldn't have it all figure it out i think people also feel like to have the stress of having to have it all figured out

when they're, you know, so young. I'm 28 and I'm still working towards my goals and dreams. And I started when I was eight. So, you know, it's a long time. So I think you don't have to have it all figured out. And it doesn't have to all come to you right away. But really just, you know, follow your heart and follow like, you know, what you're passionate about.

It's so true. I mean, I'm 36 this month. And literally like 21. So tell me everything you're doing, please. Thank you. Botox. but it's so crazy because I mean I didn't even know what I wanted to do when I was 25 I really didn't and I started figuring it out around 29 like what I like I started to really sit down with myself

and think about my passions and what I want like a legacy I want to live who I want to be who is Caitlin like there is I think it was around 29 so I mean you started at eight girl that's that's impressive but that's a that's a great answer I think everyone's timeline is different. I think that's something important to know that, you know, look at their kids on TikTok that are making millions and millions and millions and millions of dollars and they're literally like 12. And so that's amazing, right? So it's like everyone's timelines are different. And whenever it's your time, it's your time. And you can't really like stress yourself out about thinking, you know, like, why am I not here? Why is this person there? Right. You know,

obviously like life can be stressful. And of course, like financially, if you're like struggling and you, you have all those those thoughts in your head of like why am i like what am i doing wrong but yeah again you just have to keep like believing that when your time is right like it's going to happen yeah absolutely um stacey asked this and i was like wait i actually want to know your opinion on this as well what is the best way to deal with bullying because for me i i will like sometimes be sassy and i will like clap back and sometimes i ignore it and sometimes i want to ask them where it's coming from and if they're okay like there's so many different times where I don't know how to deal with the bullying that can come with having a platform or whatever and even for kids in school

or any walk of life what do you think the best way to deal with bullying is I personally if I get negative comments don't respond to them only because I feel like as a young girl until now bullies always want a reaction out of you right whatever it is so if they they just want you they want attention. Even if you're just responding, like, oh, I'm sorry you're going through whatever you're going through. Like, are you okay? Like, that's giving them attention.

Right? You're right. So any kind of tension or being like, why would you say that? Like, just anything is going to just add more fuel to the fire and add them to keep writing you and responding to it. So unless it's like them like threatening your life, which is obviously like absolutely terrible and not acceptable. And then that needs to be handled like reporting them or something like.

that. But if it's just like, oh, you're fat or like you can't dance or like you can't whatever or I can't even imagine what you get bullied for because I literally would have nothing to I don't even, I can't even think like what would anyone say to you? Like you're literally too much. Too much Botox. Well, like it's like what would you respond to that? Like, thank you. I do. Sometimes I'm like, yeah. Yeah. I do have a lot. That means you think I look great. Thank you. Like I don't know. Like, you know what I mean? So it's like it's an insecurity of theirs. that they're projecting onto you. And so it's like whatever you're going to respond to that is just it's not going to it's

it's not going to help. Yeah. That's fair. What about like in person like for kids in school or like people growing up like who you went through it? Like how did you respond to bullies when you were in high school? So I there was one time actually I went to a private school and they required us to have laptops and I got my laptop stolen by this girl that like hated me for whatever reason.

Oh my God. And I, that was like, I then went to obviously, like, principal and she got suspended for stealing my laptop. Yeah. I think you have to stand up for yourself, of course, because like you should have just allowed people to walk all over you. But I always think how somebody above you, if someone's being like really mean, whether it's your parents or your teachers, I know people are always scared to like say that because they don't want to look like they can't handle it or whatever. But nowadays, things get too serious. and you never know what something can escalate it can escalate to you so i think always say something to somebody else and not go directly to them because again i just i don't know i just think how kids are nowadays

it's usually something that's going on with them and that you just can remove yourself and add someone else that's more you know exactly in a position to do so yeah that's like you're bullying you they're probably bullying others or well-built bullying others so it's not just even like something direct because again it's never when someone's bullying you it's usually never anything to do with you. It's whatever they're dealing with and they're projecting it on to you. Yeah. So yeah. Hannah B asked, she said, ask Montana, what makes her feel supported, not just by family and friends, but also from her fans. Ooh. I think, I mean, just the constant support of like whatever I put out, I feel like everyone is so supportive. Like, you know, when I put out music,

most people know me for my dance video. So when I'm putting out music and they're like so excited, about it, that's, that's so cool to me to be able to have that support from strangers who have never met me, which even though I have, like, I'm sure, I don't know if you feel those, that you have, like, a few, like, supporters that have been, like, so diehard and I've been there from the beginning and you feel like they're like your little sisters, like, yeah, I feel like there's some of my fans on here. I feel like they're like my little like little sisters. I don't know. It's the cutest thing. They're just so sweet. And so to get support like that from, you know, technically strangers who,

like don't owe you anything, but like are always there for you and always support you. I think that's like the craziest feeling, right? To know that like you have people that like have your back and that like support whatever you do. Like if honestly, if I probably said, hey guys, I decided I wanted to like go into whatever industry. I feel like they would still support me. Yeah. So that's also a testament to who you are because you've built that community, right? You've been a good role model influencer.

or you've built this community of empowering people who are supportive. And I think that's really cool. And of course, anyone who has those kinds of numbers are also going to get bullies because of jealousy. So, oh, yeah. I mean, I think, and I think no matter who you are, what you are, I think this industry does take a very strong person, right? Like, it's not easy.

And I think people that aren't in it don't realize. And I think also with the cyber bullying of people who are like, you know, have a little but you know have a lot of followers i think people think like we're like these like untouchable people that you know wouldn't get offended or whatever it's like no we're actually like fully real humans just you that like get upset and cry and do all these things when you people say things like that you know it's like i mean some i'm not honestly knock on everything i really really really really get online hate i've gotten it before i've talked about my grandparents are Holocaust survivors and um I've shared stuff like that and I've I've unfortunately which is so

crazy to say I've gotten a lot of hate from that gosh it's like I've never ever posted anything about any side or anything I've just listed my grandparents wow and I've you know gotten hate about that and trust me there are times I wanted to like respond to these comments that I get that you know you're talking about my grandparents like you're not talking about me yeah this is my family like How could you do that, right? And I wanted to respond and I wanted to say things and I'm like, it's not even worth it. Yeah. Anything you're going to say right now is not going to help at all.

Only going to add more fuel to the fire. And the goal here is to help, right? So anything I'm going to do now is not going to help. So that's amazing. You've got a good head on your shoulders, especially you're so young. You're thinking you're like, because you say, no, I'm not. You are. You are.

If you're not, to me, 50 is when I'm going to start. really feeling old. I feel like, unless you're J-Lo. Unless you're J-Lo and you don't even, it's, and my, my mom is 68, my dad is 69 and they both feel like they're in their like late 40s. It's all about how you feel. That's what we have to start thinking. Absolutely. It's about how you feel. And then last but not least, I can't leave you without making you confess something to me. anything embarrassing you want to tell me that that's i mean anything anything that you think like oh my gosh this is so embarrassing because people love when people confess things that are embarrassing because we've probably all been through it okay this is kind of embarrassing i've actually

never shared this oh perfect that's the greatest kind of confession share away it's not that crazy but crazy to me yeah so like growing up i had a terrible list like i like this yeah literally it was terrible like really really really bad and i went to speech therapy for like years yeah and now i'm like a singer and talk all the time and interesting do what i do it's just so bizarre because i'm sure no one ever thought that at what age did you i literally i literally never shared that i don't think it's like really yeah that's so cute i don't think i'm like anybody and it's funny because when i did barney i was maybe i was a no it was probably like nine and you can still if you like look at the video you can still hear it like it was but i was just starting out then um and you still kind of hear

it but thank god i think it's gone but that's amazing it was bad like i literally would talk with my tongue out of my mouth like it was bad well i mean it clearly it's not hurting anything in your career anymore but like i don't think anyone would have ever thought that no what i do that's for sure no that's true see even young kids who have a lisp out there you can still, you know, become a singer and the speaker and do all the things. I just love that you were on Barney. That's so iconic. Like, wait, did you get a confession from you?

Oh, well, it's so hard because I podcast like twice a week. So I'm like, am I always supposed to come up with something embarrassing? And like, it was so funny because I was talking to Kelly Osborne and I said, my confession to her was like, I find her just so big time. And like, I don't know, I just had the nervous poops. I met the nervous poops before I talked to her. her. And so that was my confession. And she was like, she told me to make her a sweater that says, I give Caitlin Bristow the nervous shit. So I did. No. Stop in. Wait, that's freaking hilarious.

Isn't that funny? So I can't wait to send her that because I'm like, she better wear that. That's funny. She has a podcast now with, I've never met her, but my friend Jeff Beecher. Do you know, Jeff? Yes. Well, I only learned about him when I started, because I, when I was going to do the podcast with Kelly, he was supposed to be on it too. but he had to fly somewhere or something. And so I started looking him up and I was like, holy crap, like the stuff that guy's done. He's amazing, such a good guy. Thank you so much for taking the time.

I know you're doing a bunch of media today. And I can't wait to watch this video and listen to the song. And I'm going to do the TikTok dance. Is there anything else like where people can find you on TikTok? They probably are already there. But Instagram, TikTok. Make sure you guys listen to my song. It's going to be available on Spotify, Apple Music, all the things.

tomorrow, June 4th. I'm so excited to my song, Be Myself, featuring Todd's or Call, and, of course, on TikTok, Instagram, all the things, at Montana Tucker. Perfect. It's such a good name. Montana Tucker is such a good name.

People always ask me if it's like, they're like, okay, what's your real name? I'm like, no, no, no, it's Montana Tucker. Like, okay, but what's your name? I'm like, do all my first certificate. I will show you. That's amazing. So great.

I can't wait to listen. Yay. Thank you so much. Gosh, that was fun. Okay, guess what next week is? Well, I'm pretty darn potent sure you know. The premiere episode of The Bachelorette, where you're a girl, you know, the one, it's me. As a mentor alongside Tasha for Katie's entire journey is about to start, and oh my gosh, I am so freaking pumped.

Also a bit nervous. I think it's a lot of freaking pressure to be back on TV, but please be kind. Not that you guys wouldn't, but I love you. We'll be kicking off next week with one of the OG bachelors. I'm talking way back to season eight with Travis Stork. He is now a board certified emergency room physician happily married with the cutest stinking baby boy. And we go way back into the archives to hear about his time on the show. And also his life now as Dr. Daddy and some important Dr. COVID-related stuff too,

as I really wanted to hear his professional opinions. So anyways, don't think I'm going to sleep until the premiere episode airs. And then, yes, you bet the great therapy. He goes back to good old juicy bath recaps as of next week. So time to stock up on your spade and sparrows. We're all going to be drinking it together every Monday night. And next time you see me, I'll be on the big screen. I'm Caitlin Bristow.

Your session is now ending. Thanks for listening to Off the Vine, Grape Therapy. Tune in to hear new minisodes every Thursday. And check out new full-length episodes every Tuesday, exclusively on podcast.1.com. the Podcast One app and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Who's that with OTV?