Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards ceremony was one to kvell over! We absolutely love to see Jewish celebs sharing special moments with their kids — so you could imagine our excitement when Jewish pop megastar Pink and iconic Jewish rapper Drake schepped some major onstage naches with their children. (“Schep naches” is a Yiddish phrase that means to derive great pride and joy.)
First off, Jewish mama Pink, who received Billboard’s Icon Award last night, performed a brief medley of some of her tear-jerking ballads and angsty dance hits, including “So What” and “Just Give Me a Reason.” But the reason our hearts are full today is because Pink kicked off her set with her recent song, “Cover Me in Sunshine” — a heartwarming duet with her 9-year-old daughter, Willow. (The singer and her husband, Carey Hart, also have a son, Jameson, 4.)
But perhaps the most exciting part of the performance was the opening. Pink, 41, carried her daughter onstage — and soon they were performing an an aerial acrobatics routine together! While Pink is known for her incredible skills in this unique department, this was Willows aerial debut — and she rocked it! You can watch their incredible performance here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK935IVDQMQ
Later, as Pink gave her Icon Award acceptance speech, she gushed to the crowd: “Willow, you nailed it!” We have to agree!
These are far from the only Pink-related highlights of the evening. After receiving her award from rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, she confessed she was obsessed with the singer as a child. (I mean, same.) “I have to tell you, I think you might already know this, but I did not come out of my room for a week when you married Dorothea,” Pink said, laughing. “I was 8, I ripped your poster off the wall, I replaced you with Sebastian Bach. I’m very glad that you found lasting love, Jon, but you broke my heart! I take this as an apology, and I accept.”
Jewish rapper and producer Drake, 34, also had a big night: He was named Billboard’s Artist of the Decade, for his outstanding achievement of having 232 songs on the Billboard Top 100 chart. That’s actually Billboard’s record for any one artist — wow!
To receive his award, Drake — who was born Aubrey Drake Graham — ascended the stage with an entourage that included his dad, Dennis Graham, and his Jewish mom, Sandi Graham, and his 3-year-old son, Adonis Graham, whom he shares with former model/painter Sophie Brussaux. Drake accepted the award with gratitude and mensch-like humility. “The truth is, I’m really bad at taking compliments,” he said. “I’m really self-conscious about my music. Even if I do a good job, I always wonder, you know, how I could have done it better.” (Stars, they’re just like us!)
As Drake spoke, he had his hand on Adonis’s shoulders; Adonis, for his part, was gripping his father’s leg. “I want to dedicate this award to my friends, I want to dedicate this award to my long-time collaborators, I want to dedicate this award to all my peers — all your decisions and the music you make really has me tossing and turning at night, trying to figure out what I should do next,” he concluded. “To my beautiful family—”
At this point, Drake says, “Hey, wait, wait,” and we witness a teary-eyed Adonis, gripping the Billboard award and seemingly (and understandably!) overwhelmed by all the excitement, trying to exit the stage. Drake picked up his son, saying, “and to you” — meaning, Adonis — and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
The moment was unanimously heartwarming and relatable — watch it for yourself here:
The rapper also won an award for being the Top Streaming Artist of 2021. Other Jewish winners include Doja Cat, who won an award for the Top Female R&B Artist, and Charlie Puth, who was a featured artist on Gabby Barrett’s song, “I Hope,” which won an award for Top Collaboration.
We are so happy for these stars, who are so deserving of their awards. Mazel tov!
Header image by Kevin Mazur/Contributor/Getty Images
