Katy Perry Calls Rihanna Duet Aspirations 'Very Genuine'

Katy Perry really wants to hook up with Rihanna, on a song at least. The two have teased fans for quite some time about getting together and making a track to please both the Katy Cats and the Rihanna Navy.

When MTV News sat down with Katy during "MTV First: Katy Perry" — airing Wednesday (March 21) at 7:23 p.m. ET on MTV, followed by a 30-minute chat on MTV.com — the singer opened up about the pressure she feels to make the collaboration happen.

"I've always wanted to and she's always wanted to and that's very genuine," she explained. "We're not just shooting the sh--. We're not, like, just kind of beating around the bush. But really we want to."

Here is the catch. "It's just that I think it's gotten to such a head that if we do something that's not the greatest, it's going to be so anticlimactic," she said. "So we've already thought about it."

Perry then referred to a certain Beyoncé/Shakira duet from back in the day. "There was one reference that I made along the way thinking about, like, the vibe of Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox from the Eurythmics, 'Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves,' " she explained. "I saw that video the other day, and it's full 1980s something, [it's] prime. But it was just, like, the message was so nice. I love it and no offense, 'cause I love the song 'Beautiful Liar' by Shakira and Beyoncé, but I want to do something a little bit more brave."

Katy, however, does love the sexiness of the "Beautiful Liar" video, which features the girls scantily clad and rolling around with one another. "That's sexy as a hell," she said. "I mean, Beyoncé and Shakira — forget about it."

The "MTV First" will include the premiere of Perry's new video for "Part of Me." The singer will also talk all about her new projects, including Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection, during a 30-minute interview with MTV News' James Montgomery on MTV.com.

Don't miss "MTV First: Katy Perry" tonight, when the pop star will debut her long-awaited video for "Part of Me" at 7:23 p.m. ET on MTV. Then head over to MTV.com for an exclusive 30-minute interview with Katy herself!