“Pink’s Humorous Nod to Jon Bon Jovi’s Marriage While Accepting 2021 BBMAs Icon Award”

Pink was recognized at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards for her outstanding musical career

Pink is making her mark as a living legend!

At the 2021 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, the superstar, 41, was presented with the Icon Award for her outstanding musical career and impact by Jon Bon Jovi.

“When I first heard Pink perform, I was stunned. She had it all — talent, energy, a message in her songs and a stage presence that only the greats have,” the rocker started his introduction.

“The second time Pink stunned me was when I met her when she was about 22 years old. She told me she had a crush on me when she was just 7 years old, and that when she heard that I’d been married, broke her heart. Well, I felt bad and tried to make up for it by sending her a life-size flower arrangement and a pair of my leather pants with a note that said, ‘Now you can finally get in my pants,'” he said, laughing.

He added, “Well ever since then, we’ve been friends — not in that fake music business kind of way, but real friends. And it’s because of that and my deep respect for her artistry and her ever-growing legacy, that I’m thrilled to have been asked to present her with the Icon award.

Pink and Jon Bon Jovi. KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY

Pink began her acceptance speech by touching on her longtime crush on Bon Jovi, 59, saying, “Okay, so 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 [in 1989]. I was 8. I ripped your poster off my wall, and I replaced you with Sebastian Bach.”

“I’m very glad that you found lasting love Jon, but you broke my heart,” she continued with a laugh. “I take this as an apology. I accept.”

Pink and Jon Bon Jovi. KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY

Pink then gave a special shoutout in her speech to her 9-year-old daughter Willow Sage, saying she “nailed” their acrobatic performance of their song “Cover Me in Sunshine” earlier in the night, and her 4-year-old son Jameson.

Listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day for more on the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.

“I love what I do, and I love the people that I get to do it with,” she said. “And we’re pretty good at what we do, but it wouldn’t matter if no one came to see us and play with us. So all you guys out there and around the world, thank you for coming out. Thank you for letting us all feel together. I cannot wait until we can do it again, and until we can just sweat all over each other.”

“This is an absolute honor,” she added. “Dream big because what if it comes true?”

 Pink Performs Show-Stopping Medley of Hits, Including Duet with Daughter Willow, at 2021 BBMAs

Pink. KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY

In addition to her performance with Willow, the “So What” singer performed her song “All I Know So Far,” the title track from her new live album, and a mashup of her hits “Get the Party Started,” “So What,” “Who Knew,” “Just Like a Pill” and “Just Give Me a Reason” before her speech.

“As a little girl, I always dreamed about being a singer and sharing my love of music with the world,” she said in a press release. “Years later, to receive the Billboard Music Awards Icon Award is hard to fathom!”

“I feel so honored to join the ranks of music idols like Cher, Garth Brooks, Janet Jackson and Stevie Wonder,” she continued. “It’s a true ‘pinch me’ moment and I feel humbled and blessed.”

 Pink Reflects on Being Pitted Against Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera Early in Career

Pink with son Jameson and daughter Willow. RICH FURY/GETTY

Pink is the tenth artist to ever earn the award, following past honorees like Mariah Carey, Céline Dion, Prince and Jennifer Lopez.

The Billboard Music Awards are airing live from Los Angeles from 8-11 p.m. ET on NBC.