Philip Andelman directed the ballad 's accompanying music video , which features American actor Michael Ealy . It portrays a romantic relationship between Beyoncé 's and Ealy 's characters . Critics complimented Beyoncé 's looks in the clip . An alternative music video , which shows Ealy 's character being chased by police through a forest at night , was posted on the Internet in May 2010 . The lyrics to " Halo " were changed for two of Beyoncé 's special live performances : in a tribute to Michael Jackson following his death , and in a tribute to the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake . The song has been covered by many artists , including Florence and the Machine , Harper Blynn , and Westlife . It was performed on the television show '' Glee , '' and was added to the international soundtrack of the Brazilian soap opera '' Caminho das Índias . '' " Halo " was composed by Ryan Tedder , lead vocalist of OneRepublic , together with Evan " Kidd " Bogart and Beyoncé . In an interview for HitQuarters , Kidd narrated the events that led to writing the song . OneRepublic canceled their tour after Tedder had broken his Achilles tendon and had undergone surgery . The following day , the band sent Tedder to Los Angeles . There , he and Kidd were socializing when Tedder expressed his desire to write a song . Kidd was initially opposed to the idea because Tedder was supposed to be recuperating , but the pair went to Tedder 's studio . During the writing sessions , singer Ray LaMontagne was the primary inspiration for " Halo " . Kidd suggested they create a song in the style of LaMontagne 's " Shelter " for Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z , and proposed the title " Halo " after hearing Tedder play " angelic " chords . They wrote the song in three hours
2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
Halo (Beyoncé song)