Alecia Beth Moore, also known as Pink, is one of the most unique singers to come out of the 2000s pop scene. With smash hits like “Get The Party Started” and “So What,” her voice has been gracing radio airwaves for almost two decades, racking up a roster of awards that includes Grammys, Billboard Awards, and, of course, MTV Video Music Awards. Her raspy tone, androgynous punk style, and authentic commitment to social justice issues are what set her apart from more vanilla artists.
Pink’s discography has been the soundtrack to millennial lives for a long time, with “Just Give Me A Reason” and “Just Like Fire” getting a ton of airtime when they came out — and as any Glee fan will remember, that TV show made lovely narrative use of Pink’s songs “Raise Your Glass,” “Perfect,” and “Blow Me.” Her songs range from upbeat anthems to emotional ballads, embracing serious issues that aren’t normally dealt with in pop music. She gives voice to the insecurities with which many people struggle.
She’s also an outspoken social activist and has come out in support of numerous causes on behalf of the LGBTQ community, Black Lives Matter, and UNICEF. Lately she’s offered uplifting viewpoints of her feelings as a Jewish woman in response to current events. With so many Jewish celebrities rarely making mention of their heritage, her choice to be open and unabashed about her Jewishness is not common. As a political liberal, I sometimes get the sense that I’m supposed to prioritize intersectionality over my Jewishness, so I see hope in Pink’s choice to speak up despite the politics.
Pink is an amazing entertainer and general badass, not to mention an inspiring songwriter and family woman. Here are my top favorite Pink moments:
1. When she was struck by the parallels of performing in Berlin while the Charlottesville march was occurring:
“It’s incredible to watch neo-nazis march in 2017, while I, a Jewish woman, headline a show in Berlin… Hate will not win if we don’t let it. It’s up to each of us to choose love and acceptance.”
2. When she had a major message for her daughter Willow while accepting her VMA Award:
Pink was given the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2017. She took the opportunity to share a heartwarming conversation she had with Willow about beauty and defying society’s expectations. “We don’t change. We take the gravel in the shell and we make a pearl. And we help other people to change so that they can see more kinds of beauty.”
3. When she incorporated her trapeze skills into her act:
For a while now, Pink has been singing-while-upside-down in some pretty stunning, death-defying routines. She likes to showcase both her acrobatics and her aerialist talents in any given performance. And sometimes, she likes to take it up a notch and dive off the side of a hotel.
4. When she was technically overweight after having a baby and took a gym selfie to empower us all:
It ain’t easy losing weight. Pink shared a post-partum look in the mirror on Instagram, captioning it: “Would you believe I’m 160 pounds and 5’3″? By ‘regular standards’ that makes me obese. I know I’m not at my goal or anywhere near it after Baby 2 but dammit I don’t feel obese. The only thing I’m feeling is myself. Stay off that scale ladies!”
5. When she watched her daughter begin to grapple with the Holocaust:
While talking to Reese Witherspoon about the difficulties of taking her kids on tour, Pink describes visiting the Holocaust memorial in Berlin with Willow. The 6-year-old slowly spoke her thoughts: “My mom’s Jewish … then I’m Jewish … Well, then this could have been us.” Later Willow described the memorial as proof that, “Everything that’s bad can be good again.” Not only is that a serious discussion to have with a child of any age, it also shows how Pink is passing on her Jewish identity to her kids.
6. When she and Channing Tatum pulled off a beautiful gender bend:
Will we ever get enough of Channing Tatum in drag? I don’t think so. In Pink’s “Beautiful Trauma” music video, he plays her husband in a land of 1950s home life. Halfway through she finds him trying on her dress in the closet. Cue the appearance of Mobster Pink, oozing BDE.
7. When the last third of an interview had to be bleeped out because it became an ode to profanity:
Again, blame Channing Tatum. He took over Jimmy Kimmel’s hosting duties and asked Pink why she swears so much in her music. Her answer? When you keep it clean around your kids all day, sometimes you have to let it all out in the studio.
8. When she conducted a radio interview with Ryan Seacrest while breastfeeding:
Occasionally your baby gets hungry at the same time that you’re scheduled to talk to an internationally renowned radio host. Pink took the opportunity to announce her multitasking abilities to the world. And she continues to promote breastfeeding in public.
9. When she clapped back at someone calling her old:
An anonymous user tried getting clever with our girl, tweeting out: “Wow Pink looks so old that should be named Purple instead.” Pink did not take kindly to this suggestion, responding in a series of tweets: “I’ve earned every fucking minute of my 38 years. How you lookin though? Cause I never heard of ya til you put my name in your mouth. I shall call you little purple troll … I am of the mindset that it’s a blessing to grow old. That if your face has lines around your eyes and mouth it means you’ve laughed a lot. I pray I look older in 10 years, cause that will mean I’m alive. ”
10. When she stalked Billy Joel to convince him to write a song with her and then choked:
Pink explains, “I did the Songwriters Hall of Fame 15 or 16 years ago, and I saw him and went over to him and I went, ‘Hi, you don’t know me, but I’m Pink and I want you to write a song with me.’ He goes, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t do that — I don’t write pop music anymore.’
“Then I ran into him again — I brought my dad to his concert, and he had us backstage. Then I went to a master class of his in Times Square. And I’ve never left him alone. I’ve never stopped asking. He always says no — he’s kind, but he’s firm.
“But then we ran into him in the Bahamas at a piano bar. I bought a very good bottle of wine and sent him a glass. He came over and I said, ‘You gonna write that song with me?’ He said, ‘OK, I’ll try it.’ So several months ago I flew to Palm Beach with my brand new baby and we tried to write a song … The problem is he’s too good for me. I clammed up. But we’re gonna keep trying. He goes, ‘Do me a favor: Go home, pick out the best poem you’ve ever written and send it to me, and I’ll make you a song.’ I got home and was like, ‘All my poems are the worst pieces of trash I’ve ever seen in my life.’”
