Pink Turned Down American Idol: “People Will Hate You If You’re Honest”

By On 08/09/2012 · 17 Comments · In American Idol, The Voice, X Factor

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In an interview with Australia’s Herald Sun, pop star, Pink, reveals that she turned down offers to judge on American Idol, X Factor and The Voice Australia:

“I said no because you can’t be honest. People will hate you if you’re honest. Simon Cowell is the only person who gets away with it because he’s got an accent. And he’s a man.

“People would just hate me more than they already do. I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. Besides, you can sing karaoke anywhere…”

She’s so right. ANY pop star, male or female, cast on these shows will have to tread careful ground when criticizing a popular contestant. It’s easier in the audition rounds to pop off a bon mot about a terrible contestant we’ll never see again. But once the finals begin and fan bases are formed, it gets a little trickier.

That’s why I think an A&R or industry insider should be cast in one of the judges’ spots. They have nothing to lose by being blunt with the contestants. Women have it harder in any case. (See: Dioguardi, Kara), but fans DO miss the straight talk, whether Nigel Lythgoe wants to admit it or not.

Pink is getting ready to release her next album, The Truth About Love, which contains duets with Eminem and  fun’s Nate Reuss.Lily. She also wrote a song for Cher’s next album “I Walk Alone.”

Via Herald Sun

 
  • Anonymous

    Based on her comments, I think Pink is equally concerned about being associated with a cheesy karaoke show.  I don’t blame her and she doesn’t need the exposure or money. 

  • Anonymous

    The sad part is, I couldn’t think of a better choice for a judge than P!nk for precisely that reason. She’s super honest. It’s such a shame that female judges can’t be harsh without being called a bitch. It’s a double standard.

  • Valentin432

    Too bad, I actually think P!nk could pull off being honest, criticizing people  and not be hated for it because of who she is.
    You need to have some kind of charisma/charm to pull off this (that’s why it really doesn’t work when Randy does it) and the truth is, none of the artists who have been cast on these shows have tried to assume the straight talker role on the panel so we don’t know how it would affect their carreers.

  • Larc

    Maybe we need a list of those Idol hasn’t asked about being a judge.  It seems that would be much shorter.  ;)

  • Anonymous

    I’ll say it again, for the millionth time – Cher.  Cher, Cher, Cher.

    The only Diva, icon, pop singer I can think of with the history, personality, respect, and frankly, balls, that could turn this show on it’s ear.

     

  • http://twitter.com/RonnieDRocks Ronnie D

     I agree. And it’s not like she would have to worry about it affecting here career lol. She is an American Icon and pretty much bullet proof.

  • http://twitter.com/ladymctech ladymctech

    Oh man, Mariah, Diddy, and Cher. We’d never get to the contestants with those three on the panel, LOL. But I’d be lovin’ every minute of it.

  • Anonymous

    I would have been down with Cher if Mariah hadn’t been hired. Now I don’t think it would work with both of them on the panel. I like the idea of Mariah, Brad, Diddy, and Miley.

  • Anonymous

     ”People will hate you if you’re honest.”

    Whole thing in a nutshell — this is what celebs believe.

    I kind of doubt that it’s entirely true. Seems to me that you can be accurate but kind and say stuff that’s illuminating and helpful, and people *wouldn’t* hate you (even though the stupid live audience would boo … because it’s what they do.) I actually think you might be able to enhance your overall reputation by this.

    But they see it as risky and it would take concentration and caring. So I guess it’s unlikely to happen. Pity.

  • http://twitter.com/Miztig Miz

    Good to know Pink was at least asked. I thought she’d make a great judge.

    She’s right that you can sing karaoke anywhere, but this show isn’t really karaoke. It’s singing cover songs with a live band and often backup singers. Also singing on TV in front of a massive audience that you do not get singing ‘karaoke’.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matteo-Rodrigo/1340430528 Matteo Rodrigo

    She would have been a great judge; Shes also the first HONEST celeb..Look at the other examples…Idol specifically with Jlo, Steven, Paula.  Artists, even more current artists, even more female ones – do not want to criticize anybody.  They do need to cast someone as the meanie. honest one…Thats what Jimmy had been giving but it loses something when it comes on the results show AFTER the voting

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matteo-Rodrigo/1340430528 Matteo Rodrigo

    Oh man…I wouldve died if Cher was on the panel.  She would have been the best ultimate choice.  A superstar diva to end all divas.  And look at her twitter- she not only speaks her mind but she can be quite a loose cannon. Shes an Oscar winner; She has had hit records how many decades in a row?  And shes about to come out with yet another comeback album after a half dozen farewell tours!  And shed bring outfits and  hair style changes that would put Jlo to shame.  YES CHER YES CHER>  Im surprised no one has even asked her.  I tweeted her with the question but got no response.  I think she would have been the coup of all judges…She makes judges like Demi or a Jonas boy look like chopped liver!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matteo-Rodrigo/1340430528 Matteo Rodrigo

    FROM YOUR MOUTH TO NIGELS BRAIN -BUT IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.  but yes, she has everything youd want from a judge – massive diva, successful acting and singing career (more idols are getting into movies and tv) and shed have a new color wig each show with a BOb Mackie dress…Shed bring in the Twitter social element as well.  And shes just a little bit off her rocker

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matteo-Rodrigo/1340430528 Matteo Rodrigo

    I think she probably could pull it off…She seems to have s ense of humor – and shes a mom now – I dont t hink shed really want to hurt anybody – but shes had a very successful career and went thru a lot to get to that point

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matteo-Rodrigo/1340430528 Matteo Rodrigo

    She probably made a list of pros and cons – and it just wasnt worth it.  Plus she has a new album ont he way which probably will be followed by a tour where she can make money and didnt want to be tied down to LA for half a year

  • http://twitter.com/shoriagirl Shoriagirl

    Good for Pink!

  • Anonymous

    No matter how “honest” you are, there will be people who strongly disagree with you.  I hope I would have enough confidence to be able to withstand criticism of creative work that I strongly believe in like when the public or a music critic talks about an album.  But to be the butt of constant ridicule and booed over a comment made as a judge about some amateur singer has got to be draining.  Any truly public figure will have it tough to be a judge on Idol.  And, fair or not, Pink is absolutely correct that the public will be even tougher on a woman.

    I agree with MJ that an “industry” insider would be a great voice on the panel.  But it is possible to find such a person in the entertainment industry that won’t ultimately fall in love with their own voice and become either useless or too-over-the-top mean just to make a name for themselves….?