I Can’t Stop Thinking About Pink’s Brilliant VMA Speech
I Can’t Stop Thinking About Pink’s Brilliant VMA Speech
Did you watch the VMAs on Sunday? There were tons of awesome moments (like Taylor Swift’s new music video – OMG – I’ll have to get to that another time), but one thing in particular really resonated with me.
After being honored with this year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, P!nk gave an emotional speech that she dedicated to her six-year-old daughter, Willow. If you haven’t seen it, you need to stop what you’re doing and watch it RIGHT NOW. I made it easy for you and embedded the YouTube video above 🙂
In the speech, P!nk recalls her young daughter telling her that she thinks of herself as ugly. When P!nk asks why she thinks that, she says, “I look like a boy with long hair.”
Ugh, that’s so devastating to hear. But leave it to a powerwoman like P!nk to turn this into a necessary teaching moment. Mama P!nk explains that she’s been called very similar things. “They say that I look like a boy, or I am too masculine, too many opinions, my body is too strong.” But she refuses to change herself. And guess what?
That is EXACTLY WHY she’s a rockstar.
She ends with, “So, baby girl, 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.”
This message is so empowering and important to hear, not only for children, but for us as adults too! I think it’s easy to get stuck in one way of thinking. We compare ourselves to what we see on TV, on magazines, on Instagram. We continue to get down on ourselves when we put our everyday lives up against other people’s most glamorous versions. Remember that – VERSIONS.
What P!nk did for her daughter was something I wish we did for all girls. And all boys. And all people who feel as if they don’t fit in for whatever reason. No one should have to be made fun of or feel bad for the way they look.
I know exactly what that feels like. And even to THIS DAY, I still can recall how painful it was when the other kids made fun of my weight in school. Though my weight had NOTHING to do with what I’d built inside, somehow being called fat made me lose all my confidence.
Everyone reading this post right now – let’s make a vow to teach children and adults that they are SO MUCH MORE than how they look. Compliment someone today. Make someone smile. We need more positivity. Know that you have the POWER to create it.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful words, P!nk. I took them to heart. I am so happy your speech is going viral today.
Did you watch her speech? What did you guys think?
23 thoughts on “I Can’t Stop Thinking About Pink’s Brilliant VMA Speech”
There are 23 comments posted by our users.
Just watched it…thank you ( I’m all choked up now ). So wonderful that the world is changing, and I have a young daughter myself who can benefit from that. Growing up in the eighties, I thought that I had to look like an airbrushed Heather Locklear to be loved and appreciated. I think that most of us can see how ridiculous that is now.
Your story is so relatable, your story so heart-warming, and your work so inspiring. I wish we girls didn’t feel insecure half so often but I’m glad that you open up to us.
Thanks Cassey for sharing the speech with us <3 the video isn't available in my country (iraq )
I saw this video some days ago: I thought this should be an universal way of thinking. I love Pink as an artist and as a human being, and this speech only remarks the beautiful and strong soul she is.
When I was a teen some schoolmates used to make fun of me and my “not-so-graceful-nose”. Nothing too rough but I was influenced by their opinions, I was thinking “when I’ll grow up and I’ll have enough money I’ll get a rhynoplasty”. Never did it.
Now I’m 33, I do not consider myself “perfect” and still I don’t think my nose is the best part of me, but that’s part of myself, it’s a distinctive trait no one else has, and I learnt to accept and deal with it. That’s me, I was born like this and I’m unique. Why change something?
P!nk’s daughter is beautiful–I don’t think she looks like a boy at all! But hey, all is in the eye of their beholder. Anyways, if I couldn’t love P!nk more than I already do, well, this speech totally nails it! I absolutely am so encouraged by people like her who are so body-positive!
That’s why I’ve always loved P!nk. To me she’s always represented strength and beauty and I’ve looked up to her since her first album came out. She’s a badass. <3
I loved her speech, it was so empowering. What saddened me was the comments I saw under the video where people were attacking her for ‘dressing her daughter like a boy’ or ‘giving her a stupid haircut’ – clearly those people completely missed the whole point of her speech.
People said those things? I saw a normal haircut and a little girl who wanted to dress like her mama. <3
Yeah, it’s so sad isn’t it? She looked so happy and surely that’s all that matters? I wish people could see that instead of thinking people need to look a certain way.
You guys are two of my biggest inspirations. Also congrats on the engagement!!! Ahhhhh ❤️❤️😊
Such a wonderful Mom. I love how she found time to sit with her beautiful little girl and teach her. I hope to be as awesome if I’m ever a mom :).
I’m sure you will!
I actually just saw this video posted on my facebook wall this morning and I loved her speech. I wonder when she’ll drop her next album! As her song goes, we’re already “Perfect”. We don’t need to change.
True that!
Yeessss
This was absolutely amazing. What an important message, we all need more of P!nk’s wisdom! Immy x
http://www.immymay.com
I agree! P!NK is one amazing mama. My mother would’ve told me I needed to conform and blend in and not stick out so much. That I need to change, and not society.
YES! I love the message so much.
Such a short speach, but at the same time contains huge idea. I think, the sence of it not to change the way you look for people, who don’t even know you and in fact have no rights to judge your personality for your appearance, but to always be you, remembering that your flaws, especially these ones you can’t change, are your special features, wich make you you
great perspective.
I loved it because it promotes self-esteem and not wanting to be like everyone else.
I have always admired pink so this make me so happy
Yes, this is what more girls need to hear!
I have always admired pink so this make me so happy.