Pop superstar singer Rihanna is no stranger to the tough-cookie persona. With songs like "Rockstar" and "Rude Boy," the femme fatale likes to play up her fiery side. In this summer's much-anticipated film "Battleship," she is no different.

While Rihanna showed her softer side, laughing and smiling during an MTV interview, it was her tougher side that she wanted to bring out in her debut big-screen performance. With only two female leads in the action flick, the pop singer landed the part of undercover FBI agent Raikes. The role of the sexy love interest named Samantha went to the lovely Brooklyn Decker.

"I think that's what I really wanted to do. I wanted to do something badass," Rihanna said. The singer did not want to be a love interest in the film. As it turns out, the role was a lot more vigorous than she expected but Rihanna was up for the challenge. "I didn't imagine that it would be grungy, like, straight Navy soldier, no makeup," she admitted. "But I enjoyed it. It was a brilliant surprise for me," she added.

The "Talk That Talk" singer also revealed that the filmmakers used real weapons in the movie in lieu of fake, plastic props. The actors were taken out to train before shooting a scene in order to get acquainted with the artillery. "We would train up and down, just speeding the boat, turning and learning how to shoot and handle the weapon. Two hours later, we're shooting that scene," she shared. Rihanna was then asked how comfortable she was with handling a bazooka. "I have one of those at home," the singer joked.

It is clear that Rihanna enjoyed the role but a lot of her fans are probably wondering what initially convinced her to turn from singer to an actress. "A couple of things," she said. "I met with Peter Berg, the director of the movie, and went through the entire film and he talked me through the story. He showed me some of the characters and some of the aliens and what they would look like. He was so enthusiastic and when someone is passionate about something that much, you trust them," Rihanna shared.

"He certainly was very enthusiastic about me playing this part and I just felt like, 'OK, well, if you're sure, then I believe you. I think I can do it. And if you think I can do it, then let's try.' And it was as simple as trying and it being a role that wasn't too big for me to pull off," Rihanna recalled.

Now, Rihanna has her eye on a starring role by telling the United Kingdom Press Association that she would give her entire life for the opportunity to portray the role of the late music legend Whitney Houston. The pop icon died last February and rumors of a biopic about the star have been circulating on the internet ever since.

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