"Idol" Censorship? P!nk Told to Change Lyrics

P!nk"American Idol" may be able to tell their contestants what they can and can't sing, but they can't censor P!nk!

P!nk's pre-taped performance of her song "Who Knew" is scheduled to air tonight on "Idol" (after being bumped from the "Idol Gives Back" charity episode), but TMZ has learned that the pop star was originally set to sing her current racy hit, "U + Ur Hand."

We're told when the "Idol" powers-that-be realized the song made references to self-love, they asked P!nk to alter the lyrics to make them more appropriate for the "family-friendly" show. You know, like an exhumed Elvis! Well-placed sources tell TMZ that P!nk wasn't willing to compromise her artistic integrity (you go girl!) and agreed to sing her last single, "Who Knew," instead.

If "Idol" really wanted to protect audiences, there's only one person they should have censored -- Sanjaya!

An "Idol" rep had no comment. A call to P!nk's rep was not immediately returned.



Filed under: TV, American Idol

Reader Comments

(Page 4 of 4)Previous 15 Comments

46. hey pink its cool and all with the nasal piercing and all but I like U+Ur Hand better. No offense or anything, but Who Knew is kinda sadder than any other songs that you've written and I like more energy out of your songs, k?

WHatEveR says hi, by the way!

Posted at 8:55AM on May 12th 2007 by Whatever

47. I don't think it is censorship to request a family friendly song from an artist. YOU GO AMERICAN IDOL!!!!!!!!. There are TOO many shows out there now that are family unfriendly. That probably has a lot to do with why TV viewership is down. I know that there are a lot of shows I turn off when my kids are watching. Or TV stays on Boom (old cartoons) or TV Land. Even Nick shows some stuff not good for kids. We wonder why young people have no respect for others or themselves and this is why. I don't consider Pink the best role model for any young person. Lets bring back movies and Tv shows that the WHOLE family can watch together. It has been proven that G movies make just as much if not more money than R or PG-13 (which would have been R rated in my youth) so why not make more? Look at Akon. Acting like he is having sex with a 14 year old. I know he says he did not know how old she was, but come on we were not born yesterday. This is the thought pattern of stars & poloticians today. I did not know I did anything wrong at the time I was doing it. I have no morals or respect for others. I am sorry I got caught. Even though I still do not admit I was doing anything wrong. Come on AMerica wake up. Would you want your daughter to be the one in Akons show??

Posted at 2:42PM on May 12th 2007 by stevei

48. Pink, You rock girl! American Idol was LUCKY ENOUGH to have you grace them with your presence. So the censorship dept. had to screw it up. I say hey at least you didnt have to deal with that jerkoff simon cowell. But hey in a match between you (pink) and simon, pink you could knock him out cold. Anyways, You were awesome singing on AI.
If they call you again ai, tell them hell no!

Posted at 3:16PM on May 12th 2007 by AsLongAsBlakeLewisLovesMe

49. wooow.
i cannot believe that people would diss her stomach!
she probably worked like CRAZY for her abs and it makes me pretty jealous. i think her body is gorgeous!
so whatever, if you're dissing her abs why don't you just work your ass off to try and get better ones, and not insult someone who worked their ass of to get theirs.

Posted at 4:44PM on May 12th 2007 by emuhleeee

50. To miss "Jenn"

TMI!!!! We did not need to know that. And this is about P!nk, not........ well, you know what you wrote about.

Posted at 5:38PM on May 12th 2007 by poufchick07

51. This is to Debra about the Sanjaya/Britney comment~
That slam about Sanjaya was awesomely true! I think He never should have made it to the final, and most people I know happen to agree with me. Nobody liked him!! And I can not believe you are bringing him up. Sanjaya is old news. And even though Britney suc-s, nobody suc-s worse than Sanjaya Malakar.

Posted at 5:39PM on May 12th 2007 by poufchick07

52. P!nk... Is a Talent all her own, she kicks arse and always will, unnessecarry cenorship of her song is bull. U+UR Hand is So hilarious and it sucked no one got to saw it preformed. Who knew was good as well, but if P!nk can sing U + UR HAND on Ellen....then why not idol? American Idol needs to let some REAL idols sing their songs....oh ya and bring it on home JORDIN

Posted at 6:17PM on May 12th 2007 by Leona

53. What would they have rathered her say "it's just you and your man tonight" because that's the only thing I can really think of that sort of sounds like hand and still makes sense. And also, how did they not know that song was about "self love", it seemed pretty obvious to me. Whether you like pink or not she isn't who people should be dissin on. Fox has to be a bunch of complete idiots. If I sang I wouldn't have changed my lyrics either,

Posted at 6:24PM on May 12th 2007 by Lori

54.
I agree with AMERICAN IDOL, not this ridiculous so-called "Rocker" who thinks she's so cool she has to use an ugly pseudonym. American idol is watched by old ladies and ten year old girls, and is known as a family show. Not to mention all the angry mothers out there who will blast them for having a song about masturbation on there. I think the angry mothers are as stupid as you think they are, but American Idol isn't doing anything wrong in playing it safe and sticking to their image. If you want hardcore, DON'T WATCH AMERICAN IDOL, RETARDS!

Posted at 11:42PM on May 12th 2007 by Kaela

55. How can she have an ugly torso??? The girl's body is hard! Anyway, I'm glad she didn't conform for the American Idol-machine...

Posted at 9:47PM on May 13th 2007 by Kristie

56. w00t! Gotta love P!nk. I love her personality and she's not willing to change anything for anybody. And U+Ur Hand really shows off her personality and it shows off reality. Guys who want you for sex. And that song should not be altered in any way. None. Period. And how the hell would she alter it anyway? "It's just you and your beer tonight"? Hell no.

Great she just changed songs instead of altering.

Posted at 5:02PM on May 14th 2007 by Layla

57. If Idol really wanted to make the show family friendly - they would cancel the show!!!!

P!NK Rules

Posted at 11:35PM on May 15th 2007 by Darren

58. Pink was awesome on AI that song was kinda sad though!!! All you losers saying she sucks i laugh at u cuz she may have been an opening act in the US but headlines20000+ arenas all over the world something Justin Timberlake can never do!! Also her CD Mizundastood was 2003 best selling album in the WORLD !!
she has actual talent unlike that retarded psychopath Britney Spears!

Posted at 2:05PM on May 19th 2007 by Becca

59. Stink...er i mean Pink is a MAN baby!! Look at her un-sexy torso and you'll see why this is true!! Plus the fact that she's an idiot for sabataging her singing career, which isn't that big anyway. So you go man beast!! Keep singing your stupid songs. maybe TMZ will be following you to the local drug rehab near you. Say hi to Brittney on your way in. Ha! ha!

Posted at 4:55PM on May 23rd 2007 by The truth

60. What's this? Pink's 'artistic integrity' being compromised.
I was'nt aware that she/he had any.

Frankly, for anyone who finds it acceptable to use lyrics to describe such as those mentioned, then they have NO INTEGRITY!!!

Posted at 5:55PM on Oct 4th 2007 by Stromeister

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