RM “I Knew I Was the Punchline” — Carey Hart Opens Up About Agreeing to Appear in P!nk’s “So What” Video Despite Their Breakup

P!nk has long been known for turning personal heartbreak into chart-topping anthems, and her music often draws from the rawest moments of her life. Yet behind the fiery lyrics that cast a “lost husband” as the villain, there’s Carey Hart — the man who lived through it all. For over two decades, Hart has been portrayed as the antagonist in P!nk’s songs, enduring the public’s scrutiny as the “bad guy” in her breakup stories.

The most infamous example of this dynamic came in 2008 with P!nk’s hit song, So What. The track, a defiant declaration of independence after her marriage to Hart fell apart, quickly became a global anthem. It includes biting lines about losing a husband and refusing to cover his rent. The irony, however, is that despite the song’s mocking tone, Hart actually starred in the music video for it. At the time, the couple was still separated and hadn’t yet reconciled, yet P!nk personally reached out to him to ask if he would play the very man she was ridiculing.

Hart’s decision to appear in the video was a testament to his vulnerability and love for P!nk, even during one of their darkest times. He agreed to sit on a lawnmower, watching P!nk perform the song that publicly celebrated life without him. In hindsight, Hart admitted that he understood the song would be a massive success, so he chose to support her, even if it meant becoming a punchline in the process. This paradox — accepting a role as the “villain” in P!nk’s narrative — speaks to the level of emotional strength required to love a woman who doesn’t shy away from exposing personal pain to the world.

Over the years, Hart has been the subject of many of P!nk’s most iconic tracks, from “Just Like a Pill” (2002) to “True Love” (2013). He often finds himself portrayed as the antagonist, but instead of reacting with bitterness, Hart has come to view these public criticisms as part of his contribution to P!nk’s art. In interviews, including one on The Kelly Clarkson Show, he’s shared his surprisingly philosophical outlook. When a new song comes out that paints him in a negative light, his reaction is usually to shrug it off with a simple, “Well, you’re welcome.”

Hart approaches these tracks as snapshots of particularly tough moments in their relationship, rather than definitive reflections of their entire time together. In his eyes, the songs represent bad days — and not the whole story.

Despite the very public ups and downs of their marriage, P!nk and Hart’s partnership remains one of the most enduring and complex in pop culture. P!nk’s Funhouse era, heavily influenced by their separation, helped solidify her place as a global superstar. But through all of it, Hart stood by her side. Director Dave Meyers, who has worked on many of P!nk’s videos, once commented on the unique tension of having Hart on set for songs that directly mocked him. It was a “strange, beautiful” dynamic that showed the strength of their bond, proof that their love was deeper than the drama that often surrounded them.

Today, Hart and P!nk are parents to Willow and Jameson, and their relationship has weathered the storms that came with public scrutiny. Looking back, Hart credits their ability to stay together to their growth as individuals and as a couple. Though he’s been the villain in nearly every one of P!nk’s songs, he’s also the rare Hollywood figure who stuck around despite being the punchline. He didn’t just survive the era where he was the target of jokes; he stood by P!nk and, in doing so, proved that sometimes the greatest act of love is playing the villain so that your partner can shine as the rockstar.