Pink’s Comments on Beauty and Body Image Will Inspire Us Forever

This week, Pink is appearing naked on the cover of Who Magazine as part of their “Body” issue. As with every magazine’s seemingly requisite “body” or “shape” issue, the cover celebrity offers her thoughts on body image, but the difference is that Pink’s words are truly honest and refreshing. Of her body, Pink said “I’m a person who could always lose a couple here and there but I would rather be strong than bony.” It’s an honest acknowledgement of the fact that we live in a culture where rare is the woman who doesn’t think she has a few pounds to lose, but Pink knows the important thing isn’t how much her body weighs, it’s what she can do with it. “Instead of thinking, ‘Am I skinny?’ I grew up thinking, ‘Am I fast enough? How can I use my body?’” she said.

If you’ve seen any of her Grammy performances, you know she’s not kidding.  Her aerial acrobatics are astounding, and it’s wonderful that she’d rather make sure her body is capable of allowing her to perform at her best, rather than forcing herself to (literally) fit within some absurd cultural ideal.

It’s not just Pink’s views on body image that are spot on, it’s her views on life. She said “I can be chubby and I like to eat. I don’t think I’ll ever be pretty. I wasn’t raised to be pretty. I was raised to be funny and talented and stand for something and give back.” On one hand, I find it ridiculous that we live in a world where someone who looks like Pink can think she’s “chubby” or not pretty, but the truth is that pretty much everyone has issues with their body image, and it’s nice to hear a celebrity be open and honest about it.

What’s even better is that Pink knows the point isn’t what she looks like, it’s what she does. Pink absolutely personifies the second half of her quote; she has an incredibly successful musical career, is an outspoken advocate for gay marriage, and contributes her time and money to a number of charity organizations. She knows what’s important is what she contributes to the world, not what she looks like. Pink is already teaching her brilliant views on to her three year old daughter, but I think we can all learn a thing or two from her.

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