Vin Diesel, known for his roles in action-packed films, has recently showcased his softer side by displaying his vocal talents.

In a touching performance, Diesel covered Rihanna’s hit song “Stay,” revealing the inspiration behind his rendition.

After witnessing Rihanna’s performance of the song at the Grammy Awards, the 45-year-old actor decided to record himself singing the tune as a dedication to his longtime girlfriend, Paloma Jimenez, in lieu of a traditional Valentine’s Day card.

With the assistance of his daughter, Diesel acquired a microphone and an amplifier while Jimenez was away on a flight. “The rest is history,” he shares with PEOPLE magazine.

The response to his romantic video has been overwhelmingly positive. Diesel remarks, “People say, ‘I didn’t know you were a Rihanna fan?’ How could you not be a fan of her voice, her gift?”

While the actor admits to having released singing videos “for years,” including performances in films like “Strays” and “The Pacifier,” he emphasizes that no one has taken it as seriously as they have with this recent cover.