Reyna Roberts, Who Sang on Beyonce’s ‘Blackbiird,’ Says She Was ‘Praying’ for That Moment Her ‘Entire Life’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Reyna Roberts; Beyoncé.Photo:Tibrina Hobson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Amy Sussman/WireImage

Tibrina Hobson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Amy Sussman/WireImage

Reyna Robertssays singing onBeyoncé’s “Blackbiird” track was a moment she’s “been praying for my entire life.”

“I’m not even being dramatic,” the country star, 27, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview to celebrateBlack History Month. “Because I know who I am as an artist … I always believed that it would happen one day, I just didn’t know when. And that’s the part that was a shock and surprise.”

“I’m like, ‘I’m going to work with Beyoncé, I’m going to work withChris Stapleton. I’m going to work with these artists that I love so much and that have inspired me’ — I just don’t know when,” she continues of manifesting her music dreams.

Beyoncé (left) and Reyna Roberts.Julian Dakdouk

Julian Dakdouk

Roberts says it was “incredible” having a chance “to be a part of something that’s bigger than myself and just a small part of [Beyoncé’s] legacy.”

“It was everything that I hoped and imagined that it would be,” she adds of their collaboration.

Beyoncé has always been her “No. 1,” she says, explaining, “And it’s not even because of me being on her project the past year, but she’s always been my No. 1 favorite artist in the world.”

Now that she’s had her pinch-me moment with the formerDestiny’s Childmember, Roberts is ready to check another music idol off her bucket list: Stapleton.

Chris Stapleton at the 2024 CMA Awards in Nashville.Jason Kempin/Getty

Jason Kempin/Getty

“I absolutely adore him,” she says. “My other dream is to perform with him one day, hopefully go on tour with him or create music together. He is one of the reasons I wanted to be in country music.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

While Roberts has yet to share a stage — or a recording studio — with Stapleton, 46, she did get a chance to meet the “Tennessee Whiskey” singer. “He was so kind and so genuine,” she recalls of their interaction. “Thankfully, all the people that I’ve met and that have inspired me have just been absolutely wonderful.”

Reyna Roberts performs at CMA Fest on June 6, 2024.Terry Wyatt/WireImage

Terry Wyatt/WireImage

Reflecting on her experience as a Black woman in the country music space, Roberts noted how a number of big stars — includingReba McEntire,Carrie UnderwoodandJamey Johnson— have graciously helped her along the way as she’s built her career. “None of these people knew me personally, but they saw my talent and they gave me an opportunity and a chance,” she says.

Still, she believes the industry has “a lot of work to do” yet. But she pointed to Beyoncé’s triumphant entrance into the genre as “a really good indication” of country music’s positive evolution.

“Look at all that Beyoncé has done, and look at the way that people have responded to her and to the people that she’s added on her album,” Roberts tells PEOPLE. “We still have a lot of things to change and a lot more to progress [to make], but we’re father than where we were.”

source: people.com