Let's be real for a second. If you’ve been following the orbit of Drake’s love life—which, let’s face it, is a full-time job—you know the name Bernice Burgos isn't just a random blip on the radar. She’s a legend in the video vixen world. A Bronx native who literally changed the game for bartenders-turned-entrepreneurs. But whenever her name comes up in 2026, the conversation almost always loops back to those blurry paparazzi photos in Australia.
Was it a fling? Was it serious? People love to speculate.
Honestly, the "Bernice Burgos and Drake" era was peak Instagram culture before Instagram became what it is today. It was a time of "Diced Pineapples" and secret flights. But if you look at the facts, the story is a lot more about mutual respect and professional longevity than just another tabloid headline.
The Perth Photos That Set the Internet on Fire
It’s March 2015. Drake is in Australia for the Future Music Festival and his If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late tour. Suddenly, photos hit the web of him lounging poolside in Perth. He’s not alone. He’s with Bernice Burgos.
The internet absolutely melted.
The photos weren't even that "scandalous" by today’s standards, but they were intimate. You saw Drake with his arms wrapped around her, whispering in her ear, and even a forehead kiss that had every gossip blog claiming they were "official." At the time, Bernice was already a star in her own right, but being spotted with Drizzy put her in a different stratosphere of fame.
Where did they actually meet?
The timeline doesn't actually start in Australia. That’s a common misconception. Most people think they just met and hopped on a plane. In reality, they had been in the same circles since at least 2012.
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Remember the Rick Ross "Diced Pineapples" video? Drake was in it. Bernice was the lead girl. That video was shot in Anguilla and St. Maarten, and that's likely where the initial spark happened. You don't just fly someone to Australia for a "first date." There was history there.
The Famous Name Drop in "Odio"
Drake doesn't just date; he archives his life in his lyrics. If you want to know who is on his mind, you listen to the features. In 2014, a year before the Australia trip, Drake hopped on Romeo Santos' track "Odio." He dropped a line that confirmed he was already deep in the Bronx culture:
"And you look like you drawn by an artist / No, you, you look like Bernice and Yaris / But both put together, those are some girls that I know from back home."
That’s a heavy co-sign. Yaris Sanchez and Bernice Burgos were the two biggest names in the NYC modeling scene. By putting them in a song, Drake wasn't just flirting; he was acknowledging their status as the gold standard of beauty in the culture. It also proved that he’d been "knowing" Bernice way before the paparazzi caught them down under.
Why Bernice Burgos Isn't Your Typical "Video Vixen"
Most girls who get linked to Drake disappear after a few months. Bernice didn't.
That’s because she was never just "Drake’s rumored girlfriend." Even back then, she was a mother and a grandmother—something she’s always been incredibly open and proud about. She started as a bartender at Starlets in New York, a place Drake notoriously frequents.
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She used that platform and the "Drake-adjacent" fame to build Bold & Beautiful, her own sleepwear and apparel line. She didn't stay in the "vixen" box. She outlasted the rumors.
The "Side Chick" Rumors and Clearing the Air
A few years after the Drake sightings, Bernice found herself in the middle of a messy situation involving T.I. and Tiny. During an interview with The Breakfast Club, she had to set the record straight. She famously said, "I'm not a side chick. I would never be a side chick."
While she didn't talk much about Drake in that specific interview, her stance was clear: she’s a boss, she makes her own money, and she doesn't need a man to validate her. That energy is exactly why someone like Drake—who respects hustle—kept her in his circle for so long.
The 2023 Reunion: Are They Still Friends?
Fast forward to July 2023. Just when people thought the Bernice and Drake story was ancient history, Drake posted a throwback photo of the two of them on his Instagram story.
It wasn't a "we're back together" post. It felt more like a "we've been through it all" post. Drake has a habit of "circling back" to his old flames, but with Bernice, it felt different. It felt like a tribute to a woman who has remained consistent while the rest of the industry changed.
Even in 2026, when you look back at his long list of muses—Rihanna, JLo, Sophie Brussaux—Bernice occupies a very specific niche. She represents that gritty, authentic New York energy that Drake has always tried to emulate.
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The Reality of Celebrity Rumors
We have to acknowledge the limitations here. Neither Drake nor Bernice ever sat down and did a "tell-all" about their relationship. That's the smart move.
- Privacy is key: In the world of high-level celebs, "situationships" often stay private to avoid the PR headache.
- The "Flying her out" culture: Drake’s line "If I like her, I just fly her to the city I’m in" is basically his lifestyle manual. It doesn't always mean a wedding is coming.
- Social Media vs. Reality: Just because they aren't pictured together every week doesn't mean they aren't in contact.
People often get it wrong by trying to label what they had. Was it a relationship? Maybe. Was it a deep friendship with benefits? Probably. But whatever it was, it was built on a foundation of mutual benefit. She got a boost in visibility; he got to spend time with one of the most beautiful women in the world.
Why This Connection Still Matters Today
The reason we’re still talking about Bernice Burgos and Drake is because they represent a shift in how fame works. Bernice used her "vixen" years to become a mogul. Drake used his "lover boy" persona to become the biggest artist on the planet.
They are both survivors of an industry that usually chews people up and spits them out.
If you're looking to understand the "Drake effect," look no further than Bernice. She took the spark he gave her and turned it into a permanent flame.
How to Apply the "Bernice Strategy"
If you’re building a brand or navigating a high-profile industry, there’s a lesson here. Don’t just be a "feature" in someone else's story.
- Pivot quickly: Use the attention you have now to build something you own (like Bernice did with her clothing line).
- Stay authentic: Bernice never tried to pretend she was someone else. She stayed "Bronx" through and through.
- Maintain the bridge: Even if a romantic connection fades, keeping a professional or friendly tie with powerful people is invaluable.
The Bernice Burgos and Drake saga isn't a story of "what could have been." It's a story of two people who understood the power of the moment and used it to cement their legacies. Whether they're still texting in 2026 or just "liking" each other's photos occasionally, they’ll always be linked as one of the most iconic pairings of the 2010s hip-hop era.
To stay updated on Bernice's current business ventures, you should check out her latest collections on her official site or follow her verified social channels, where she continues to prove that there is a very successful life after being a "Drake girl."