Pink and Kelly Clarkson Honor First Responders with an Epic 'Everybody Hurts' Duet to Open AMAs
Kelly Clarkson and Pink‘s opening performance at the AMAs made it hard to catch our breath.
The global superstars took the stage for their very first collaboration to open the 2017 American Music Awards on Sunday night.
After a heartfelt introduction from Jamie Foxx, during which he paid tribute to first responders from the numerous tragedies and natural disasters that occurred throughout the year, the opening guitar chordsof R.E.M.’s cathartic classic “Everybody Hurts” was heard.
"As this year comes to a close, we look forward to 2018 with hope... TOGETHER our strength will pull us through." - @iamjamiefoxx #AMAs pic.twitter.com/j5eDbd0Fdw
— AMAs (@AMAs) November 20, 2017
Pink began the first verse before being joined by Clarkson. Together they strolled to a smaller stage among the crowd and traded vocal gymnastics over Michael Stipe’s lyrics of compassion.
Two strong women in music. ???? @Pink & @kelly_clarkson collab for the first time with a powerful #AMAs open. pic.twitter.com/sPp6jdfIZ0
— AMAs (@AMAs) November 20, 2017
Hugs all around ???? @Pink @kelly_clarkson #AMAs pic.twitter.com/5OmzT1qvwE
— AMAs (@AMAs) November 20, 2017
Before the show, the pop divas gushed about each other on social media.
If anyone was wondering what @Pink is like in person, she’s the greatest human ever and I love her even more now after meeting/singing with her at #AMA’s rehearsal ???? ....can’t wait for y’all to see our silk routine tomorrow ???? #picturemehangin ????
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) November 19, 2017
Before I frame this picture and hang it in my office to stare at like a creepy stage 5 clinger I thought I’d share it with y’all ???????? #tonight #AMAs2017 pic.twitter.com/ODMUvq6oWU
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) November 19, 2017
This woman has a direct line to outer space with that voice. I feel lucky to stand next to her when she sings. Tonight will be an honor for me @kelly_clarkson #AMAs2017 pic.twitter.com/OU2LKZI4jW
— P!nk (@Pink) November 19, 2017
You're joking! I am humbly prepared to be outsung:) I adore you and I cannot wait. https://t.co/o1DcDymbbY
— P!nk (@Pink) November 16, 2017
Check out PEOPLE’s full 2017 American Music Awards coverage.
“I’m a huge fan of Pink,” Clarkson told EW editor-in-chief Henry Goldblatt at the magazine’s A-List event in New York City in November. “I haven’t had the chance yet to work with her. I think if you project it enough, it might happen, right?”
A post shared by Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) on Nov 16, 2017 at 10:09am PST
Ahead of the show, Clarkson — who walked the red carpet with her daughters River and Savannah — also tweeted her excitement about sharing a stage with the “What About Us” singer. “Gonna play it super cool whilst singing with @Pink this Sunday at the #AMAs,” she wrote. “But know on the inside I will be freaking the &$@! out.”
Gonna play it super cool whilst singing with @Pink this Sunday at the #AMAs ....but know on the inside I? will be freaking the &$@! out ???? #oneofthegreatestvocalistsofourgeneration #sheissorad #sundayissofarfromnow
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) November 16, 2017
Pink responded to the tweet — and compliment — Tweeting back, “You’re joking! I am humbly prepared to be outsung 🙂 I adore you and I cannot wait.”
You're joking! I am humbly prepared to be outsung:) I adore you and I cannot wait. https://t.co/o1DcDymbbY
— P!nk (@Pink) November 16, 2017
In addition to the duet, the pair will later take the stage for their own solo performances. Last week, it was announced that Pink was set to return to the AMA stage with a show-stopping rendition of the title track from her most recent album, Beautiful Trauma, which debuted in the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart in October and marked a career high for first-week sales.
Pink first performed at the awards show in 2001 with her hit “Most Girls,” and returned again in 2003 and 2008.