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On the final night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC), August 22, 2024, pop singer Pink took to the stage. In a rare appearance, Pink was joined on stage by her 13-year-old daughter Willow Sage.
The mother-daughter duo, clad in coordinating black outfits and similar short hairstyles, performed an artistic version of Pink's 2017 protest anthem, What About Us. The performance denoted the singer's debut in the political spotlight, and the song seemingly resonated with the audience.
A pink light blanketed the crowd during their set, adding a visual effect. While the singer opened the performance, starting with the song's more moving verses, Willow eventually took over. The two harmonized through the chorus, singing together:
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“What about us?/What about all the times you said you had the answers?”
Including Willow in the song can be seen as symbolic, as the song delves into generational responsibility and the need for a better future. Willow's voice was strong and succinct, especially while singing the line,
“We are children that need to be loved.”
The duo's performance seemed to have moved the audience, with many in the crowd holding up their phones and singing along.
The significance of Pink's What About Us
What About Us debuted in 2017 as the lead single from the superstar's album Beautiful Trauma. The song was written in response to the United States' political atmosphere at the time. The lyrics question authority and express a longing for answers and accountability. The song has since become a weapon for many who feel marginalized or perhaps ignored by those in power.
“What about us? / What about all the times you said you had the answers? / What about us? / What about all the broken happy ever afters? / Oh, what about us? / What about all the plans that ended in disaster?,” the chorus says.
It speaks directly about the sense of betrayal that many go through when confronted with broken promises. The song also addresses love, trust, and the ramifications of political decisions.
Pink has long been involved in advocacy for social justice issues. She has been a supporter of LGBTQ and women's rights. She made headlines in 2022 when she addressed fans who supported the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. She told them to "never listen to my music again."
She has also been an ardent supporter of organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign. The latter aligns itself closely with Democratic values, adding all the more context to her performance at the DNC.
The pop star stepped away from her ongoing Summer Carnival tour to perform at the DNC that night. A few weeks prior, she had engaged in a Zoom fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris. During the call, she encouraged participants to "get extra loud" and make their voices heard.
The 2024 DNC played host to a star-studded lineup. It saw performances by Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Maren Morris, and Lil John. Pink's performance of What About Us with her daughter Willow was one of the more emotional performances.
