i am sassa

Pink is someone I’ve had on my list since day one. I knew she was a badass, and not just because of her rock star persona and take-no-crap attitude. I like those things about her, but in my opinion a tough exterior does not a badass make. I wanted to learn more about her because I’d heard she had a tough childhood, and I knew enough of her music to know that she dove into some pretty heavy emotional themes in her songwriting once she was past the newbie stage. Everything I learned about her today gilded her status as a truly worthy badass.

Pink’s family life was rough. She described her parent’s relationship as “World War III”, and though she hated growing up in the turmoil, their divorce really tore her apart. Her dad left, and she butted heads with her mom from that point on. Pink had always been involved in gymnastics and wanted to train to be an olympic medalist, but she started partying hard at a very young age, overdosing from a big ol’ list of chemicals when she was just fifteen. She recovered, but lost several very close friends who weren’t as lucky. She started selling drugs while her mom was at work. She says that her one healthy escape was writing poetry, which she started turning into songs. After singing in a club while extremely high, the club’s owner told Pink to come back drug-free and she could do it again. She never touched drugs from that point forward, choosing instead to pursue her interest in music.

Pink was trying to find a record deal with an all-girl band, but was persuaded by a label to switch gears and work as a solo artist. She found success quickly, and also quickly became known for being outspoken and passionate about the direction of her career. She was adamantly against the bubble gum pop music of the time (Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson), and bucked against her label’s every effort to steer her in that direction. When she was finally given full permission to try making exactly what she wanted in her own way, she settled into an authenticity that was immediately successful with her fans.

Pink’s music is bold and honest. She sings about rejecting the ideals of perfect femininity, family troubles, and turmoil in her marriage. As fearless as she is writing her music (which she does write herself), she is even more so performing it live. She uses her training as a gymnast to transform into a real-deal aerialist for her live performances, pulling stunts that she says freak her audiences out. I’ve never seen her live, but after listening to people describe her live shows all day, I really want to. Who’s up for a post-covid badass woman concert world tour with me?

Pink became a role model for young women at a time when all the female pop stars seemed to be selling the same over-sexed, cookie cutter image. She not only gave young girls a strong, emotionally honest role model, but she also paved the way for artists like Lady Gaga and Adele, who both cite her as influences.

Thank you, P!nk.