by Pink has always spoken openly about her immense respect and admiration for Linda Perry, the renowned singer-songwriter who produced her breakout debut album, “Missundaztood.” In a recent revealing interview with Billboard magazine, Pink fondly recalled a particularly thoughtful gesture that Perry had made towards her early on in her career, when she was just a teenager starting out in the music industry.
According to Pink, it was Perry who had initially discovered her talent and potential after being highly impressed upon hearing a demo tape of Pink’s extraordinary singing voice. Perry, who was an acclaimed artist in her own right as the lead singer of the band 4 Non Blondes, decided to take the young up-and-coming Pink under her wing. She signed Pink to her own record label, Milkweed Records, and began mentoring her.
However, at that time, Pink was still a self-conscious teenager struggling with insecurities, particularly about her body image. As Pink recalled in the interview, one day, in an act of great kindness and sisterly support, Perry took the young singer on a shopping trip in order to help boost her confidence and self-image.
In Pink’s own words: “Linda took me to this amazing store and said, ‘You’re so beautiful. You need to wear clothes that make you feel beautiful.’ That was such a big deal for me because I was so insecure about my body. It was really empowering.”
According to Pink, this thoughtful gesture and expression of support from Perry was monumental in building up her self-confidence, which she had lacked at the time. Perry’s reassurance about her beauty and talent helped give Pink the courage she needed to fully embrace her music and individuality.
“She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” Pink stated about Perry’s impact. “She’s one of the most important people in my life.”
Indeed, Linda Perry has continued to be a steadfast mentor and source of inspiration for Pink throughout her illustrious career. Following their initial collaboration on Pink’s pivotal first record, Perry went on to produce and write on two more of Pink’s most critically and commercially successful albums – “Missundaztood” and “Funhouse.”
Perry co-wrote several of Pink’s signature hits, including smash singles like “Get The Party Started,” “Stupid Girls,” and “Dear Mr. President.” It’s clear that Perry’s guidance helped shape Pink’s artistry and sound.
In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2017, Perry warmly described working with Pink: “She’s one of the most talented and gifted people I know. She’s a force of nature. She’s so strong and independent, and she’s not afraid to be herself.”
For her part, Pink has continuously expressed heartfelt gratitude for having Perry as a mentor and friend. “She’s like a big sister to me,” Pink has stated. “I’m so lucky to have her in my life.”
Their over 20-year friendship and musical bond is built on mutual love, respect and support. Now internationally famous stars in their own rights, Pink and Perry continue to speak about each other in interviews with great admiration and praise.
Pink’s Early Career
Alecia Beth Moore, who goes by the stage name Pink, was born on September 8, 1979 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. From an early age, it was clear she was a naturally gifted vocalist. Her singing talent was encouraged and nurtured by her father, who was also a musician.
As a teenager in the 1990s, Pink followed in her father’s footsteps by pursuing a career in music. She started out singing backup vocals and collaborating with other local bands and artists in the Philadelphia area.
At 16 years old, she caught the attention of producer L.A. Reid at a performance in Atlanta and was signed to his label LaFace Records. At the time, Pink said she saw herself as a soul and R&B singer in the style of Mary J. Blige and Whitney Houston.
However, LaFace Records saw pop star potential in the talented teenager and enlisted hitmakers like Babyface, Max Martin and Tricky Stewart to work on her debut album. The music Pink found herself recording was more pop-oriented than she felt comfortable with or connected to.
When the album “Can’t Take Me Home” was released in 2000, it did achieve modest success on the charts, going double platinum. But the experience left Pink creatively frustrated as she struggled to find her own voice and sound among the team of music industry producers she worked with.
Discovering Her Voice with Linda Perry
It was around this time that Pink first crossed paths with Linda Perry. Perry was in the midst of a successful solo career following her early ‘90s stint as lead singer of the alternative rock group 4 Non Blondes.
Intrigued by Pink’s powerhouse vocals, Perry offered her a deal with her own newly formed record label Milkweed Records. Pink was thrilled at the opportunity to record with Perry, who gave her more creative freedom and input than any other producer she had worked with.
At the time they began working together, Pink was only 21 years old and beginning to carve out her identity as an artist. Perry recognized something special and authentic in the young singer-songwriter. She was dedicated to nurturing Pink’s talent and helping her cut through the noise of the mainstream music machine to be able to tell her own story.
One of the most touching examples of Perry’s early mentorship and encouragement was taking the insecure young Pink on a shopping trip. She wanted to help Pink feel just as bold, brave and beautiful on the outside as Perry saw her to be on the inside. By building up Pink’s self-confidence and reassuring her of her natural talents, Linda Perry empowered Alecia Moore to fully embrace becoming Pink.
Their first collaboration, Pink’s second album “Missundaztood” released in 2001, achieved huge success. With Perry at the helm producing alongside co-songwriting on over half the tracks, “Missundaztood” showcased Pink’s powerhouse vocals and established her as a dynamic pop/rock star.
The record sold over 13 million copies worldwide and featured the smash hits “Get the Party Started,” “Don’t Let Me Get Me,” and “Just Like A Pill.” Pink’s unique style and sincerity resonated with fans. Finally with Linda Perry’s guidance, Pink found her authentic musical voice.
Continued Artistic Partnership
Given the magic they were able to create together on “Missundaztood,” Pink and Perry maintained their artistic partnership on future albums.
For her throaty 2003 single “Trouble” off “Try This,” Pink again turned to Linda Perry to achieve the bluesy rock sound she craved. The song was nominated for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the Grammys.
In 2008, Pink released her fifth record “Funhouse” which Perry produced alongside co-songwriting on several singles. “Funhouse” also went on to become one of Pink’s most acclaimed and popular albums.
The record generated hits like “So What,” “Please Don’t Leave Me,” and “Bad Influence.” Pink’s honest and witty lyrics blended seamlessly with Perry’s bold production style. The powerful female energy between the two artists continued to make musical magic.
Perry also worked with Pink on other standout tracks over the years like “God Is A DJ” and “Dear Mr. President.” She has been credited with helping mold Pink’s signature sound which melds pop hooks with rock intensity.
Speaking to Interview Magazine in 2017, Pink summed up the profound artistic connection she shares with Linda Perry:
“I meet with Linda, play her some of the songs I’ve been working on, and she says, ‘I know what this needs.’ There’s nobody else where I feel that way… she just gets me and she gets my music. Whenever we work together, I feel like the songs are an authentic representation of who I am at that time.”
An Enduring Friendship
Beyond being musical collaborators, Pink and Perry have formed a lifelong friendship built on mutual trust, respect and affection.
In a touching Instagram post after wrapping recording on their latest collab “Hurts 2B Human” in 2018, Pink referred to Perry affectionately as “Aunt Linda” and spoke about their unbreakable bond:
“We fight like cousins, laugh like sisters, cry like friends, and make music as one… I love creating music with you. You allow me to be fearlessly impulsive and honest.”
The admiration and appreciation between the two artists is clearly mutual. When Pink received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019, Perry was right by her side for the ceremony. She spoke glowingly in her speech about her dear friend:
“Alecia Moore, a.k.a. Pink, has left more than her mark on music and pop culture. She has personified iconic. She’s imbued honesty, humor, beauty, lyrical prowess, feminist ethos and powerful vocals.”
For over two decades, Linda Perry and Pink have maintained both an immensely fruitful working relationship as well as close personal friendship. They continue to seek each other out for musical collaboration and career guidance.
Pink still views Perry as one of her most trusted confidantes. She credits Linda for instilling her with confidence as a young woman starting out in the industry and helping her stay grounded as a global superstar.
The Power of Mentorship
The story of Pink and Linda Perry’s bond speaks volumes about the immeasurable positive impact that mentorship can have, especially for young women trying to navigate their place in the world.
Perry recognized Pink’s special spark and felt compelled to nurture her talents, even though Pink was essentially an unknown teenager when they first crossed paths. She looked beyond superficial measures of success or convention to see Pink’s rare gift for emotional connection through songwriting.
By empowering Pink to embrace her individuality and push past self-doubt, Perry helped a generation-defining artist find her voice and realize her full potential. She encouraged Pink’s defiant, feminist spirit which has made her such an influential cultural icon.
Part of this mentorship was building up Pink’s confidence in her looks and style in addition to her artistry. Though Pink was just a skinny 21-year-old starting out in the era of Britney and Christina pop divas, Perry wanted her to feel strong and beautiful.
The simple but thoughtful act of taking Pink on that shopping spree continued to build her up years later. It assured the young singer that she needn’t change anything about herself or conform herself to others’ standards of beauty and self-worth.
Alecia Moore has never forgotten Linda Perry’s faith in her. Even as a renowned Grammy-winning superstar, she still seeks out Perry’s wisdom and approval on new music.
Their connection is a testament to how instrumental it can be to have someone believe in you and lift you up early on, especially as a young woman trying to assert your talents in a male-dominated industry. The right mentor can change the trajectory of your entire career and life.
Linda Perry saw Pink’s inner light and helped make sure she could shine for the world to see. Though simple, her gesture of a shopping trip and kind words during a vulnerable time resonated deeply with Pink. It affirmed her self-belief and courage which catapulted her into stardom.
This reveals how even small acts of guidance from a trusted mentor can empower a person to achieve their wildest dreams. Pink is now paying it forward, mentoring young artists herself. As she said appreciatively of Linda Perry:
“I don’t know that I would be the artist that I am with all the confidence and ability without her.”
