According to Arie, the original version of "I Am Not My Hair" was a duet with pop rock singer Pink. The song's original concept originated from Pink's decision to do away with her pink locks, while the last verse was written after Arie watched Melissa Etheridge's performance at the 2005 Grammy Awards, where she appeared bald from chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. This version was made available on iTunes on October 17, 2006, and was used in the Lifetime television film "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy", which premiered on October 23, 2006.