The clip, which premiered Thursday on MTV.com, unflinchingly tackles the issues of teen suicide and cutting.By James Montgomery
Pink in the "F****** Perfect" music video
Photo: Sony Music Entertainment
Much like Katy Perry's "Firework" or even (to some extent) Ke$ha's "We R Who We R," Pink's brand-new "F****** Perfect" video is an outreach to the outcasts, an extended hand to those on the fringes of society, one that comes with an empowering — and all-too-often unheard — message of hope. But unlike either Perry or Ke$ha's glossy clips, Pink isn't afraid to get gritty. Or graphic. And therein lies its power.
In "Perfect," we follow the cycle of abuse that envelops a young girl (played by Tina Majorino) starting at an early age (she is bullied on a playground and acts out), then continues on through adolescence (her mother forces her to conform) and, of course, into high school, where the taunts get crueler and the emotions more palpable. This story is, sadly, nothing new, but it's where Pink and director David Meyers (who also did Perry's "Firework" vid) take it next that elevates the video to the next level.
Overcome by feelings that are beyond her control (sadness, anger, loneliness), we see Majorino's character grab a razor blade and savagely — and gruesomely — begin cutting herself. As the blood begins to flow, it becomes apparent that she's carving the word "Perfect" into her flesh, and then, with the song hushing to a near whisper, it appears she has died. It's a tough scene to watch, one that Pink herself addressed on her website, writing that she hoped its inclusion would shine a light on the issues of cutting and teen suicide and let anyone who may be considering either know that "I'm aware. I have been there."
Thankfully, Majorino's character doesn't die, but her experience does inspire her to re-evaluate things and realize that, no matter what anyone might say, she is special, unique and, most of all, deserving of love. And that's when her life begins to change. She becomes a painter, she finds a supportive boyfriend, and she has a daughter of her own, and by doing all that, she has effectively broken the cycle of abuse. She is free, for the first time, to live her life.
It may be a simplistic message, but it's an incredibly important one too. No matter how dark things get, they can — and will — get better. It may not happen all at once, but it will happen. And Pink is living proof of that. Kudos to her for not only making a video like "F****** Perfect," but for having the guts to take it to places her contemporaries don't dare tread.
What did you think of Pink's new video? Let us know in the comments.
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