The "Survivor" hitmakers—consisting of Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams—were originally set to sing their 1999 hit "Bills, Bills, Bills" when they reunited during Beyonce's half-time performance in New Orleans last night (03.02.13). But the song was axed at the eleventh hour in favor of 2001 track "Bootylicious", because it didn't match the high energy of the rest of the singer's seven-minute set.
A source told UsMagazine.com, "They kept rehearsing "Bills, Bills, Bills." And the band started saying, 'How come they're not doing 'Bootylicious?'"
"'Bills...' turned out to be too slow and wasn't flowing with the rest of the set. "Bootylicious" was a better way to introduce the girls with their names. It worked so much better."
The trio—who last performed on stage together in 2007—also sang their smash hit, "Independent Woman" during the Destiny's Child medley, reportedly nixing their recently released song "Nuclear," which appears on new compilation album, Love Songs, a collection of the band's biggest ballads.
Following the energetic reunion, which closed with Kelly, 31, and Michelle, 32, joining Beyonce on her solo hit "Single Ladies," the 31-year-old star thanked her bandmates—as well as fellow performers Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson—in a handwritten message posted on her Instagram account.
She wrote: "What a proud day for African-American women! Kelly, Michelle, Alicia, J-Hud ... You are all beautiful, talented, and showed so much class! It was an honor to perform at the Super Bowl with you phenomenal ladies. Love, Beyonce."
Michelle added on her Twitter account: "Had a great time w/my sisters tonight!! Tried to keep it a surprise!! Love you all...God bless!!"