PinkPantheress Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree From University of Kent: ‘It’s Dr. Pantheress’
PinkPantheress may have dropped out of college after one year to pursue a music career, but the 24-year-old received an honorary doctorate from England’s University of Kent on Tuesday (July 22).
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The U.K. artist was one of eight people to receive a doctorate during a ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral earlier this week, as Pink’s honor came in recognition of her “contribution to and achievements in music in the digital age.”
In a red gown, PinkPantheress took to the podium to a round of applause while reflecting on her journey from Canterbury, England, to global stardom.
“Canterbury was the backdrop for the majority of my life. I joined my first band here,” she began her speech. “I had my first-ever job at the cricket ground. I uploaded my first songs to SoundCloud here.”
Pink recalled working on music while her father graded papers as a statistics professor at University of Kent. She even highlighted how budget cuts are impacting music programs across the U.K.
“We’ve seen music departments lose funding all over the country though,” she said. “It’s never been more important to give young people access to different artistic outlets … Trust yourself and lean on those who support you.”
The “Boys a Liar, Pt. 2” singer posted a separate clip to TikTok strolling the hallways in her cap and gown while holding her degree and hitting some dance moves to her “Illegal” track.
“And from now, it’s Dr. Pantheress,” she wrote. “I cannot believe this and legit every single person who graduated with a doctorate or any degree today at kent uni, i am in awe of you, you’re the future you’re everything, i am not worthy of being in your presence.”
The experimental singer-producer released her Fancy That mixtape in May, which reached No. 4 on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
Watch her speech and TikTok below.
Michael Saponara
Billboard
