Michael Riley Reflects on Purpose and Progress During BET Red Carpet Pool Party

Image Credit: Michael Riley (Instagram)

LOS ANGELES—While attending the BET Red Carpet Pool Party during BET Awards Weekend, Rhode Island media personality Michael Riley, known as The Voice of RI, shared his thoughts on his growing career and the need for authenticity in entertainment.

Riley, an entrepreneur and content creator, joined other rising talents and influencers in the city for one of the most notable weekends in the industry. The pool party was both a celebration and a chance to network, giving new creatives like Riley a chance to build connections, gain media coverage and be seen in spaces often reserved for established figures.

“My experience was wonderful,” Riley said. “I met Ryan from Black Ink Chicago and saw Lil Murda from P-Valley. You encounter many celebrities, but networking was the most crucial part. It was key to opening more doors and staying true to myself.” 

Riley traveled from Providence, R.I., where he built his reputation as a podcast host, media correspondent and digital influencer. His platform, The Voice of RI, showcases rising creatives and celebrity interviews while providing commentary on culture and entrepreneurship. He believes being present at events like BET Weekend is about more than just visibility; it's about finding opportunities.

“I was an entrepreneur and content creator,” Riley said. “I was scheduled to appear on WBRU the following Tuesday morning. I also interviewed celebrities and created media content. It was about lifting up voices and building something meaningful.”

Over the past year, Riley expanded his media portfolio. He appeared as a guest on 9 Dayiané with Kyle Gordy and received coverage in Median Magazine. His upcoming features in XXL Magazine and The Source indicated that his profile was rising in national entertainment media.

“I had an article out with Median Magazine, and I have another article coming with XXL on June 25,” Riley said. By July, I was expecting a feature with The Source. It felt like things were finally coming together,” Riley said.

Despite his growing presence, Riley stayed grounded. When reflecting on the BET Weekend experience, his primary focus was not on celebrity sightings but rather on the new connections he made.

“We started the day before as strangers,” Riley said. “By day two, we were in the same room again. That was the power of networking — getting to know each other as individuals. That’s what the weekend was about for me.”

As someone who navigated the industry without major support, Riley recognized the challenges of breaking into entertainment independently. He said trust and discernment were crucial.

“I told people to stick with the genuine ones — you’d know who they were,” Riley said. “The industry can be tough, but keeping around those who lift you up makes a difference.”

Riley stressed that he did not operate from a place of competition but from cooperation. His personal motto was to uplift others while pursuing his own success.

“For me, it was always about supporting one another,” Riley said. “I didn’t ask for anything in return, but I was always willing to give—whether it was advice, a resource, or a connection.”

Riley understood how the industry was and instead of repeating what others do he decided to help others get to the top with him to succeed.

“I wasn’t a gatekeeper, and I believed that honesty would lead to continued blessings,” Riley said.

Throughout his career, he stayed focused on his identity and purpose. Though he had been in rooms with major celebrities, he felt that what mattered most was remaining true to himself and remembering why he began.

“I had stood beside Nicki Minaj’s mother, Tiffany Haddish and other celebrities,” Riley said. “But the most valuable part was staying true to myself and knowing why I started.”

He hoped his journey would inspire others from smaller markets to chase their dreams, reminding creatives that success isn’t confined to big cities.

“I wanted people to know that if I could do it from Rhode Island, they could too,” You didn’t need to come from New York or L.A. to create something impactful,” Riley said.

As the Pool Party wrapped up, Riley left with a renewed sense of direction. He felt that attending the event confirmed that his voice and platform belonged in spaces he once thought were out of reach.

“God has continued to make room for me in places like these,” Riley said. “I just wanted to keep walking through every door with gratitude and purpose.”

With growing media attention, a strong online presence and a reputation for giving back, Michael Riley continues to establish himself not only as The Voice of RI but as a voice of integrity in entertainment media.