Pink is rare in the image-obsessed world of pop – a superstar who does and says just what she pleases.
The firebrand star has been doing things her own way for more than 20 years and is determined to keep speaking her mind.
And today, she talks to the Sunday People as she releases her ninth album, Trustfall.
If Pink’s amazing track record is anything to go by, it is likely to reinforce her position as one of the most-played female artists of the century, with 60 million album sales.
After such a stellar career, which has included global hits such as Get the Party Started and So What, many singers would resist the temptation to rock the boat.
But not triple-Grammy and double-Brit winner Pink.
The 43-year-old mum to Willow, 11, and Jameson, six, cackles mischievously: “I have been cancelled so many times. I get death threats daily, and the sh** people say… if you have a vagina and you have opinions, that’s really tough for some people.
“I have had times where it has really hurt my feelings but most of the time I couldn’t give a sh** because I know if that person was standing in front of me they would never say that. Never.
“I tell my daughter Willow, ‘Baby, you have to consider the source. Is this a person you would like to be like? Are they happy? Do they have their sh** together? Are they doing good things?
“Or are they a troll? Are they miserable in their own lives?’ You always have to consider the source.
“We’re all human, and I’m a sensitive soul. I’m like a walking wound… but I have a really hard shell.”
And she has certainly needed it at times.
Last year she took on homophobia, racism and the attack on women’s rights in a swipe on Twitter.
She wrote: “Let’s be clear: if you believe the government belongs in a woman’s uterus, a gay person’s business or marriage, or that racism is okay –THEN PLEASE IN THE NAME OF YOUR LORD NEVER F***ING LISTEN TO MY MUSIC AGAIN. AND ALSO F*** RIGHT OFF. We good?”
The response was shocking – abuse and death threats. Asked if she worries about serious repercussions, the star replies: “Security is always in the back of your mind when you’re outspoken and stand up for serious issues, yeah, absolutely.
“People are crazy. But aren’t we all afraid of natural disasters and shooters, too? There’s a lot to be scared of. So my attitude is, let’s not think about it.”
Pink’s refusal to be dragged down is at the centre of Trustfall, which was written in lockdown.
Her determination to seize the moment runs through the album like words in a stick of rock – not least in first single Never Gonna Not Dance Again, an unashamedly joyful pop anthem.
Pink, whose real name is Alecia Moore and who is married to truck racer Carey Hart, says: “I went to my manager after I wrote that and said, ‘OK, this is Pink formula, but I don’t care because every time I’m done listening to it I’m so damn happy’.
“I am so excited for this record to come out because I love it so much. I really took my time doing it and it feels really special to me.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself in the last few years – I think we all have.
“I feel like we’re all walking around with low-level trauma but, at the same time, we’re so resilient. Some of the things that have happened really distil life down and filter out the bulls***.
“My attitude now is like, ‘OK, enough. Wanna dance, cuddle, laugh, be around people I love.”
Pink, who had massive 2001 hit with Lil’ Kim, Mya and Christina Aguilera singing Lady Marmalade on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, is performing her massive Summer Carnival tour – including a headline appearance at London’s Hyde Park.
And she said the outdoor stage will not stop her showing off the death- defying aerial tricks that have become synonymous with her performances.
She says: “I still can’t believe after all these years I get to do the things, it’s insane. And it’s totally possible to do outside, I’ve got a lot of handy people.
"I’m still going to be suspended in mid air – I’m going to be doing that until I’m 90. I once saw Tina Turner performing aged 69, running around in Christian Louboutin heels like a crazy person and I thought, I have no excuse.
“I want to see what crazy things I can do and not die. Right now, I’m the strongest I’ve ever been in my entire life and I’m so excited because I have so many new songs to work with. It’s going to be absolutely epic.”
