'It was completely random!': Texas teen hugged by Lady Gaga during Super Bowl halftime show says she had 'no idea' it would happen

By Mike Larkin For Dailymail.com

Published: 19:59 EST, 6 February 2017 | Updated: 20:22 EST, 6 February 2017

It is an event that is usually staged to within the millisecond.

But the fan hugged by Lady Gaga during her Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday has spoken out to insist their embrace was 'completely random.'

Texas schoolgirl Ally Bellini, 16, was one of 800 students who got to participate in the show, and had spent weeks rehearsing for her big moment.

Spontaneous combustion: The crowd erupted into applause when Lady Gaga 'randomly' hugged schoolgirl Ally Bellini during her Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday

Spontaneous combustion: The crowd erupted into applause when Lady Gaga 'randomly' hugged schoolgirl Ally Bellini during her Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday

But the Adobe High School sophomore said she had not idea a hug was on the cards during the event at the NRG Arena.

Asked if she had practiced the embrace by Billboard, she said: 'No, it was completely random! 

'It was an amazing surprise to me. We knew she was going to go around and high five people but I never expected her to hug me. It was... amazing'

The 30-year-old singer, real name Stefani Germanotta, was performing her 'freedom song' Born This Way when she made her move.

Ally, who attended with other members of her school's drill team, said: 'We were all star-struck. We were just screaming and excited. 

Having a tinkle: Moments before the pianist was playing her instrument

Having a tinkle: Moments before the pianist was playing her instrument

Crowd pleaser: But she soon abandoned her instrument so she could mingle

Crowd pleaser: But she soon abandoned her instrument so she could mingle

Not keeping a Poker Face: Gaga gestured to Ally when she caught her eye in the crowd

Not keeping a Poker Face: Gaga gestured to Ally when she caught her eye in the crowd

The schoolgirl has since become something of a minor celebrity among her peers.

She said: 'My friends were so excited for me. I didn't know how to react at the time but they were all yelling and jumping on me and hugging me.'

The self-confessed Gaga 'monster' said she could not believe it at first when she discovered they were being given the opportunity to be near her idol.

She said: 'I'm a huge fan of hers and when I found out we were doing this I cried for days.' 

Gaga's performance has earned plaudits for being one of the better half time shows in recent years, and boasted a memorable sequence that saw her descend onto the stage from above while attached to wires.

The moment was Born This Way: They hugged as she sang her 'freedom anthem'

The moment was Born This Way: They hugged as she sang her 'freedom anthem'

Sending a message: The singer performed with a multicultural trope of backing dancers

Sending a message: The singer performed with a multicultural trope of backing dancers

Entrancing entrance: She spectactularly descended to the stage while hanging from wires

Entrancing entrance: She spectactularly descended to the stage while hanging from wires

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