For Lauren Moraski from "HuffPost", "What About Us" was a "strong pop song that showcases Pink's vocal chops". Chris Gerard from the "Washington Blade" described it as a "yearning, emotional anthem" and noted Pink's "sincere and deeply felt" vocals, saying the song is "among the finest singles" of her career. ABC News critic Allan Raible named "What About Us" one of the standout tracks from "Beautiful Trauma" and wrote Pink's vocal performance gives it a "surprisingly organic heft". "The Guardian"s Gavin Haynes labeled the song as "the worst sort of Katy Perry anthemics about how we're all just 'rockets pointed up at the stars'". "What About Us" received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 60th Annual ceremony.