P!nk
Biography
Alecia Beth Moore, known professionally as P!nk, was born on September 8, 1979, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. From a young age, she demonstrated a rebellious and artistic nature, finding an outlet in music and gymnastics. Her parents' divorce when she was a young child had a significant impact on her, a theme she would later explore in her music. As a teenager, she began performing in Philadelphia clubs and adopted the stage name P!nk, inspired by the character Mr. Pink from the film Reservoir Dogs. She joined her first band, Middleground, in high school and later was a member of the R&B girl groups Basic Instinct and Choice. After Choice disbanded, LaFace Records offered her a solo recording contract.
Career Breakthrough
P!nk's debut solo album, Can't Take Me Home, was released in 2000. The R&B-influenced album was a commercial success, producing the top-ten singles "There You Go" and "Most Girls". However, it was her second album, Missundaztood (2001), that propelled her to international stardom. Shifting to a more pop-rock sound, the album featured hit singles like "Get the Party Started," "Don't Let Me Get Me," and "Just Like a Pill". This album showcased a more personal and edgier side of the artist, a departure from the teen pop prevalent at the time. In 2001, she collaborated with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, and Mýa on a cover of "Lady Marmalade" for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack, which won a Grammy Award.
Musical Evolution and Success
Throughout her career, P!nk has been known for her musical versatility, blending pop, rock, and R&B. Her subsequent albums continued to explore a range of sounds and deeply personal themes. Try This (2003) earned her a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the song "Trouble". After a brief hiatus, she returned with I'm Not Dead (2006), which included the provocative single "Stupid Girls." Funhouse (2008) explored her separation from husband Carey Hart with songs like "So What," which became a number-one hit. She has continued to release chart-topping albums, including The Truth About Love (2012), Beautiful Trauma (2017), and Hurts 2B Human (2019). P!nk is also celebrated for her dynamic and acrobatic live performances, which often feature aerial silks and trapeze acts.
Personal Life and Activism
In 2006, P!nk married motocross racer Carey Hart. They have two children, a daughter named Willow Sage and a son named Jameson Moon. The couple's relationship has been publicly documented through her music. P!nk is also a dedicated philanthropist and activist. She is a vocal supporter of various causes, including LGBTQ+ rights, animal rights through organizations like PETA, and children's welfare as a UNICEF ambassador. In 2015, she traveled to Haiti with UNICEF to raise awareness about malnutrition. She also has her own organic wine label called "Two Wolves".
Legacy
P!nk has sold over 60 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists. She has won three Grammy Awards, seven MTV Video Music Awards, and was named Billboard's Woman of the Year in 2013. In 2019, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Known for her powerful vocals, honest songwriting, and defiance of pop-star conventions, P!nk has been cited as an influence for a generation of female artists.