Andra Day doesn’t live her life based on what others think.
On Wednesday, the “Rise Up” singer spoke exclusively with PEOPLE at the Billboard Women in Music Awards at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, Calif., about her recent appearance at the 2024 Super Bowl.
Day stole the show with her rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as “The Black National Anthem,” before kicking off, but it wasn’t without backlash — though she’s not worried about the critics.
“I really didn’t interpret the reaction, you know? It really comes down to, for me, my faith, right? I’m a very spiritual person, which is different for everyone,” the “Stand Up for Something” singer, 39, told PEOPLE.
Andra Day performs ahead of the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February 2024.
Jamie Squire/Getty
She also felt that people having different opinions was a “normal thing”.
Day added that she would rather focus on the good in life instead of focusing on the negative comments.
“You can only live, and you can also enter [your] purpose, and you can really rest easy about it,” she said.
Andra Day performs a moving rendition of the black national anthem ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ ahead of the Super Bowl
During a chat with PEOPLE, Day discussed what it means to her to “step into the shoes of Sheryl Lee Ralph,” who performed the black national anthem at the 2023 Super Bowl.
“It was an honor to sing a song that actually unites people, that truly brings people together, so, you know, those who are skeptical will always be there. And bless them too, you know what I’m saying? I have peace about it, complete peace, for sure,” Day said. She also praised Alicia Keys, who later joined Usher for the 2024 halftime show.
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Andra Day at the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show press conference in Las Vegas in February 2024.
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Ahead of Super Bowl weekend, the USA vs. Billie Holiday actress was joined by Post Malone and Reba McEntire to sit down with Apple Music to let fans know what to expect from the Big Game.
Andra Day hopes for ‘out-of-body experience’ performing at 2024 Super Bowl: ‘She’ll be shaking like hell’
Speaking at a televised press conference, Day expressed her excitement at sharing “such an important part of our culture with the world.”
“It seems intentional. I like to do things with intention and purpose,’ she said, calling the song a ‘victory anthem’.
She, Malone, 28, and McEntire, 68, performed during different segments at the annual sports event.
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Andra Day at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music held at the YouTube Cinema on March 6, 2024 in Inglewood.
Amy Sussman/Getty
Before wrapping up her conversation with PEOPLE at Wednesday’s Billboard Women in Music event, the Grammy winner was happy to talk about her upcoming project Cassandra.
“I’m excited because I’m actually producing on this record,” she said while talking about having “more creative control” this time around.
“I brought my band to the studio to produce with me, I also brought some friends to the studio to produce with me. So the truth is, I feel like I’ve been like 10 different people in the last few years of my life.”
“You know, between movies and different periods of my life, I go through breakups. Like I said, I’m really in a place where I just take the good with the bad and I’m grateful for everything, and this album reflects that,” she said.
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Source: HIS Education