Examining Pink's High Flying Trapeze Act

By Jo Piazza Posted Feb 2nd 2010 06:21PM

Musicians get a lot of flack for lip-synching and generally faking their way through awards shows. Now everyone has Pink to thank for setting the bar even higher on Sunday night when she not only sang live onstage, she did it while performing amazing feats of circus-style acrobatics, high above the stage, soaking wet.

Yup, the singer belted out her single, 'Glitter in the Air' during her aerial acrobatic routine in which she spun from silk drapes whilst suspended in the air, sounding even better than she does on her album.

How does she do it? And what risks is she taking? PopEater asks the experts.

"Other than intense dance training and aerobic training I don't think there is any way to train for something that is so demanding. That was truly a fantastic feat. Not only for the acrobatics but also the singing...and upside down. This was truly one for the books," says veteran dancer David Lee, creator of KD Dance dancewear.

With dancers suspended above her under a canopy, Pink climbed into a white sheet and was lifted into the air. High above the stage she spun through the air, never missing a beat of her song.

Water showered her from above (in her nearly nude body suit) as she began a series of acrobatic feats culminating in spin that made even audience members dizzy.

This wasn't the first time that Pink, a former gymnast, wowed an awards show audience with her acrobatic prowess. She famously flew high above Radio City Music Hall in a trapeze act at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2009 and her Grammy routine is something she has been perfecting on the road during her FunHouse tour.

The training that goes into a routine like Pink's is intense and multifaceted.

"Yoga strap training, strength training, and endurance are all part of the training. That was a truly unique routine," Lee says.

The answer to the question everyone was asking (after, why was she wet?) is: yes, Pink's acrobatics could be as dangerous as they look.

"Anything can be dangerous if you don't know how to do it correctly and accidents can happen at any time. But both Pink and the producers of the show had to be very confident in her abilities to perform that routine or I doubt it would have been allowed or more telling, insured," says Trish Connery, publisher of DanceChatter.com.

But even the seemingly unfazable Pink was a little nervous on the Grammy stage.

"When I do it [on tour], I don't have lights above me," the singer told PEOPLE after the performance. "Tonight, there were lights above me, so it almost went into a strobe thing, and I actually did get a little turned around." As she was lowered to the ground, she thought: "I was going to fall on my nude butt. But I worked it out."

Tags: pink

Comments

(33)

Wednesday 03 February

By Tony

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Ruthie Foster, an artist in the Blues category, should've won in three categories. If she was allowed to go on stage and perform, the audience truly would not believe that a truly gifted soulful blues singer has emerged once again!

By cristina

Pink is so under-rated... she is the best!!!! PINK!!!!!....please take another look.... and you will see who the grammy winner is suppose to be!!!!

By mike

When is Beyonce going to do something entertaining besides singing the same song over and over and over... yawn.

By BERNICE

PINKS ACT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL, IT WAS AMAZING , JUST AMAZING TO SEE HER. I NEVER SAW A ACT LIKE THAT. EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT. MY HAT OFF TO HER FOR SUCH A PERFORMANCE. IT WAS JUST BEAUTIFUL.

By Lori

Pink did an awesome job with her performance. I am not a Lady Gaga fan but her performance with Elton John was also amazing.

Thursday 04 February

By Winter

I loved Pink's performance the best. She didn't have to go out on stage backed by other historic stars, or run down the aisle with an army of dancers to give her confidence. She sang beautifully on her own never once off key and yes upside down, spinning, soaked. All eyes were on her 100% of the time and no one looked down while she performed. It was amazing and you could tell she impressed even the stars as the camera panned them after her performance. It was incredible.

By luca brozie

pink you are a great looker,and your high flying act gave me a woodie,and my wife thanks you,lol i'm 65,ha ha ha

By Linda Hobbel

I usually don't watch the various awards shows, because I feel most of the real talent is overlooked for the current "it" person. I was thrilled when Coldplay won last year, I think their talent is totally overlooked. I bought Pink's Funhouse CD in the early summer and nearly wore it out I played it so much. I think it was a true oversight not to have honored her in some way. I think her performance rocked!!!Oh...... and I am also a Grandma who is soon turning 60.

By Lee

I thought Pink was amazing, I could'nt believe she was singing while performing but she obviously was. After watching her and Beyonce also amazing, and all the others performing live, well Taylor Swift was off key singing with Stevie Nicks, but it makes you wonder why Britney Spears even bothers, she can't sing or dance, she ought to get out now before she makes another fool out of herself.
She is just awful, and she needs to wash her hair (or whatever that is on her head ) and take a bath.

Friday 05 February

By vstoklosa

Pink rules! She deserves adulation for all the work she's put into her act. Her body is astoundingly toned and fit. She's an athlete on an Olympian level; too bad there's no sport for that (just kidding). I've always admired her voice, LOVED her since her first album, now there is more about her to admire.

By al

hey nothing against pink she's obviously very talented and very very beautiful(amazing performance)but why does everyone hate taylor swift so much? she hasn't bought her way anywhere she's earned it and if she dosen't deserve these awards she wouldn't be getting them. I guess if someone else was on top you hipocritical people would be constantly dising them as well. If you don't like her don't listen and quit wasting your time talking about her!

By Janet Hutchison

How many ways can you describe "Pink" performance on the Grammy's? other than, dynamic, moving,awesome,inspiring,sexy,beautiful,gifted and amazing?Let me hear from you.

Sunday 07 February

By Brian

I've seen a lot of things in my life but nothing as beautiful and graceful as this. Clearly Pink enjoyed performing as well since she had a huge smile on her face afterwards. This was ten times better than the Cirque!

Brian

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