Rihanna used to be a UFO spotter

She said: "My dad used to make me sit outside on the steps all night long looking for UFOs flying by, and I had to do that for years.

"I didn't see any but I saw a falling star once and I was like, 'Yessss, Dad! Come and see, it just darted'."

The 'We Found Love' hitmaker - who goes to war with aliens in new movie 'Battleship' - admits her role as Navy gunner Raikes has deepened her admiration for those who fight for their country.

She told The Sun newspaper: I have so much respect for soldiers.

"They dedicate their lives to saving other lives and saving their countries and a lot of times they don't even get recognised for it, even when they come back. Sometimes they don't have a place to go.

"It's really sad but they put themselves on the line out there and I admire them so, so much.

"It really takes a certain character and person with a certain discipline to be a soldier."

Rihanna admits her acting debut has given her a taste for the big screen, but insists she won't be turning her back on music any time soon.

She said: "Doing movies and getting into acting is something that I always wanted to try and I never knew whether I would like it, hate it or love it but I just wanted to try it.

"It ended up being a really awesome experience. But I don't see why I can't do both acting and music."