Celebrity Parents Pink 'Was Terrified I'd Be a Terrible Mother,' Says 'It's Shocking How Responsible I've Become' The pop star — who just released her ninth album, Trustfall — talks about love, grief and motherhood in this week's PEOPLE cover story By Jeff Nelson Jeff Nelson Instagram Twitter Jeff Nelson is the Senior News Editor, Entertainment at PEOPLE. For nearly a decade, he has worked across the brand's entertainment verticals, reporting on breaking news and writing and editing across platforms, as well as securing A-list cover exclusives, including Barry Manilow's coming out and an at-home interview with Madonna. Jeff has appeared as an expert on Good Morning America, Extra, HLN and SiriusXM, as well as at RuPaul's DragCon as a moderator. He studied magazine journalism at Drake University, graduating with a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication. People Editorial Guidelines Published on February 22, 2023 08:00 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Pink is getting real about her life as a rock-star mom. Balancing her two loves — family and performing — is something Pink has been aiming to master for more than a decade. "When I had kids, people said, 'Your career's going to be over. How are you going to tour?' " the "Never Gonna Not Dance Again" singer — who is mom to daughter Willow, 11, and son Jameson, 6, with husband Carey Hart, 47 — says in this week's PEOPLE cover story. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Pink. Kurt Iswarienko Yet Pink, 43, has proved the doubters wrong time and again, remaining one of the most enduring pop stars of her generation. And she's done it on her own terms. Beloved by misfits and suburban moms alike, Pink has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, notched 23 Top 40 singles and earned three Grammys and an Emmy (taking her halfway to EGOT status). Not to mention, her last tour was the second-highest-grossing tour of all time by a female artist (after only Madonna). Now, following the release of her ninth album Trustfall, she's ready to do it again, first with her Pink Summer Carnival stadium tour this summer, followed by the Trustfall arena tour in the fall. And Pink discovered a new level of joy when she and Hart became parents. in a June 2022 Instagram. at the American Music Awards in November 2022. L: Caption in a June 2022 Instagram. PHOTO: Pink Instagram R: Caption at the American Music Awards in November 2022. PHOTO: Jerod Harris/Getty Pink Is 'Very Protective' of Britney Spears: 'I've Always Felt Like a Big Sister to Her' "I did not know I was going to have a family. I didn't picture that for myself because I was terrified I would be a terrible mother," says Pink. "But, oh my God, being a mom is the most incredible thing I've ever done. It's shocking how responsible I've become." Offstage she's gone from getting parties started to chaperoning them. "I was in charge of snacks for last week's basketball game; I'm chaperoning Willow's dance next Friday. . . . Who am I?" she asks jokingly, adding, "But I love it." Backstage at Austin City Limits in October 2022. Onstage at Austin City Limits in October 2022. Backstage at Austin City Limits in October 2022. L: Caption Backstage at Austin City Limits in October 2022. PHOTO: Matt Wallace C: Caption Onstage at Austin City Limits in October 2022. PHOTO: Matt Wallace R: Caption Backstage at Austin City Limits in October 2022. PHOTO: Matt Wallace Indeed, the star "is a powerhouse in everything she does — work and play," says her longtime friend, actress Selma Blair. "Pink would organize these annual campouts at her house with all the friends and kids. She knows the love and strength in community. She's the ultimate mama and rock star. She made time; created it for all of us to have that weekend to just dance and eat and play. One night I stayed up in my tent listening to Matthew McConaughey playing beer pong, my kid asleep next to me. Everyone loves showing up for Pink!" Blair says. "Between touring, there were birthday parties for the kids and moon circles with all the lovely women in her life. The most endearing group." Pink and Selma Blair. Selma Blair Instagram Blair, who bonded with Pink over new motherhood in 2011, adds: "Pink is the most courageous woman and the most thoughtful and present friend. We are all so lucky to be alive in the reign of Pink. Down to earth doesn't begin to capture the personal side of this rockstar. Truly a miracle human being." Being a rock-star mom comes at a cost, though. Pink's tour schedule will overlap with one of Willow's theater productions later this year. "We finally had to have this really teary conversation about what I do and that it's hard as a mom, and that's why not a lot of moms do it," Pink says. "I told her, 'It's going to suck, and I won't go longer than 10 days without you . . . or I'll quit. I'll walk away tomorrow. What do you want?' And she was like, 'Don't quit, Mama. I will just miss you sometimes. And I love what you do.' And I was like, 'I love what I do too. I worked my ass off for it, and I'm not going to apologize for that. Also, it affords you a very nice life!' " Pink on Feeling 'Lonely' Grieving Her Late Dad: 'No One's Ever Going to Love Me Like That Again' Carey Hart/Instagram Despite the sacrifices, Pink is happy living the best of both worlds — or trying to, at least. "I want to be the best I can be at everything, and it's never good enough; it's f---ing impossible," she says. "But I love being a mom, I love music, and I'm dumb lucky I get to do all of these things. I count my blessings every single day." Watch the full episode of People Cover Story: Pink below For more on Pink, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.