“It Made Me Sick” — P!nk Slammed Miley Cyrus For Her “Vulgar” Performance, And Her Hypocritical Judgement Of Young Female Artists Is Finally Backfiring On Her Career

The Glass House of Rebellion

For nearly two decades, P!nk has cultivated a brand built on rebellion, grit, and the rejection of societal norms. She was the anti-pop star who sneered at the cookie-cutter image of the early 2000s. However, as the cultural conversation shifts toward a more inclusive form of feminism, P!nk’s legacy is facing a severe stress test. The catalyst for this re-evaluation is her past treatment of younger female artists, specifically her scathing, public judgment of Miley Cyrus during her controversial Bangerz era.

The incident in question revolves around Cyrus’s infamous 2013 VMA performance—a moment of liberation for the former Disney star, but a moment of disgust for P!nk. At the time, P!nk publicly questioned the artistic merit of the performance, labeling it “vulgar,” “cheesy,” and suggesting it made her physically ill. She positioned herself as the moral authority, the “cool mom” protecting the sanctity of music from the twerking masses.

Years later, however, this judgment is being viewed through a much harsher lens. It is finally backfiring, as a new generation of fans digs into P!nk’s archives and asks a devastating question: How can the woman who built a career on pushing boundaries shame another woman for doing the exact same thing?

The Definition of Hypocrisy

The backlash against P!nk is rooted in the concept of “pulling up the ladder.” Critics argue that P!nk benefited from the freedom to be provocative, sexual, and loud, but then attempted to deny that same freedom to the generation coming up behind her.

Social media users have been circulating clips from P!nk’s early career to highlight the hypocrisy. They point to the Lady Marmalade music video, where P!nk performed in lingerie, or her own risqué performances involving aerial acrobatics and sensual choreography. The argument is simple: When P!nk simulates sexuality on stage, she frames it as “art” and “empowerment.” When Miley Cyrus did it, P!nk framed it as “trash” and “desperation.”

This double standard is damaging because it suggests that female sexuality is only valid when it fits P!nk’s specific definition of “cool.” It reinforces the “Not Like Other Girls” toxicity—the idea that to be a strong woman, you must distance yourself from hyper-femininity or overt sexual expression. By shaming Miley, P!nk wasn’t protecting music; she was gatekeeping it.

The Impact on a Young Star

At the time of P!nk’s comments, Miley Cyrus was navigating one of the most difficult transitions in Hollywood—breaking free from a child star mold while the entire world watched. Having an industry icon like P!nk pile on the criticism was not just hurtful; it was a betrayal of sisterhood.

Cyrus has since spoken about how isolated she felt during that era, noting that she was criticized by the very women she looked up to. P!nk’s comments contributed to a narrative that Cyrus was “out of control,” rather than an artist experimenting with her image. Instead of offering mentorship or a private phone call, P!nk chose public shame.

This is the core of the current backlash. Fans are realizing that P!nk’s brand of feminism often came with conditions. You were supported, but only if you followed her rules. This realization has tarnished her reputation as a champion of the underdog, painting her instead as a member of the establishment she once claimed to hate.

The Reckoning of the “Pick Me” Era

We are currently living in an era of reckoning for the pop culture of the 2000s and 2010s. The “Pick Me” girl—the woman who tears other women down to validate her own superiority—is no longer celebrated. P!nk’s past behavior fits this archetype perfectly.

Whether it was mocking Paris Hilton in Stupid Girls or clutching her pearls over Miley Cyrus, P!nk often elevated herself by standing on the necks of other women. While she has issued general apologies and claimed to have “grown,” the internet does not forget.

The backlash is affecting her career because authenticity is her currency. If her authenticity is revealed to be selective, the foundation of her connection with fans cracks.

A Lesson in True Empowerment

The controversy serves as a painful but necessary lesson. True empowerment is unconditional. It means supporting women even when their choices make you uncomfortable. It means recognizing that Miley Cyrus twerking on stage is just as valid a form of expression as P!nk spinning in a silk harness.

P!nk is finding out the hard way that you cannot judge the next generation for walking through the doors you helped kick open. Her comments on Miley Cyrus were not just a critique of a performance; they were a failure of empathy. As the industry evolves, P!nk is being forced to confront her own internal biases. To survive this backlash, she must move beyond “I’m sorry” and truly understand why her words “made her sick”—not because of Miley, but because they reflected a judgmental part of herself she needs to heal.