Pink latest addition to pop-heavy lineup for Oscar telecast

Pop star-turned-actor Pink will be making an appearance at March 2’s Academy Awards. Described by Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron in a statement as “one of the greatest voices in pop music and one of the best performers of her generation,” Pink joins a pop-focused telecast that already features U2, Pharrell Williams, Idina Menzel and Karen O.

Pink is booked for what the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is describing as a “highly anticipated moment.” In nonpress-release speak, that’s generally just referred to as a “performance.”

Or maybe the academy is simply planning a surprise tribute to the greatest circus films of all time? As she has shown multiple times, no artist can as effortlessly pull off a song, dance and high-wire act as Pink, who at this year’s Grammys dangled above the crowd to perform her song “Try.”

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Silliness aside, this is shaping up to be one of the most tuneful Oscar telecasts in recent memory. This year’s slate of nominees for original song is a strong one, led by “Let it Go” from Disney’s “Frozen.” The show-stopping moment from the animated phenomenon sees the recently appointed Queen Elsa (Menzel) constructing a solitary ice palace in the most diva-like fashion.

Not to be overlooked is Karen O’s “The Moon Song” from Spike Jonze’s “Her,” a song that is equal parts odd, lonesome and distant. Also notable is Williams’ “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2,” a song decorated with a low-key soul groove and understated keyboard shading. Rounding out this year’s crop is no less than U2, whose “Ordinary Love” gave an arena rock moment to “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”

All four nominated songs will be performed on the telecast. Pink’s 2012 album “The Truth Above Love” is currently at No. 54 on the U.S. pop charts. Since its release in September of that year, the album has sold more than 1.9 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. She appeared in the recent film “Thanks for Sharing,” which also featured Mark Ruffalo and Tim Robbins.
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