HOUSTON – It was the hug seen around the world.
Lady Gaga received rave reviews for her halftime spectacle Sunday night at Super Bowl LI. From drones to repelling onto the field to pyrotechnics, the pop artist put on a show that won’t soon be forgotten.
During her performance of her new hit single “Million Reasons,” Gaga walked off the stage and onto the field, where hundreds of dancers who were helping with her show were waiting.
As she walked through the crowd, she stopped and hugged Ally Bellini, a sophomore at Dobie High School.
Bellini is part of the school’s dance team, and the group said they spent two weeks practicing for the show. They said Gaga and her team were supportive and encouraging during their rehearsals, giving a lot of them high fives throughout the process.
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The hug, however, was never part of the routine, according to Bellini.
"I was hugging her, and then I realized so many people are watching me,” Bellini said. “I was, like, tearing up, and I was just (trying to) hold it together just a little bit longer. As soon as the lights went down in that area I bawled. I cried. I couldn't stop crying."
Bellini said the embrace by the pop diva is something she’ll be sure to tell her grandchildren about.
"It’s a really cool experience to share and talk about,” Bellini said.
All of the participants were told to keep all of the halftime stunts a secret, Bellini said, so that the show would be a surprise for the audience.
Bellini said Lady Gaga is welcome to hug her anytime.
“I’m always here in Houston,” Bellini said.
Bellini’s team was just one of several local dance troops that participated in Gaga’s halftime show.