On April 11, 2025, renowned Thai rapper Lalisa Manobal, popularly known as Lisa of BLACKPINK, took the stage at Coachella for her groundbreaking solo performance. This marked her debut as a headliner at the iconic music festival, where she opened her set on the Sahara stage with her hit single, “Thunder.”
While Lisa’s performance garnered enthusiastic applause from her global fanbase, which witnessed a crowd of approximately 80,000, not all reactions were positive. A segment of online users criticized her choreography, labeling it as provocative and suggesting it set a poor precedent for her younger female audience.
In defense of their idol, Lisa’s dedicated fans swiftly rallied on social media platforms, voicing their support vehemently. One fan labeled the critics as “conservatives” and remarked on X:
“Before y’all ‘conservatives’ try to ruin everything remember she is a grown woman.”
Supporters commended Lisa not only for her Coachella performance but also for her style and commanding presence. Some fans anticipated the backlash from detractors within her home country, stating it was a predictable reaction.
“The Koreans are gonna drag her,”a fan wrote.
“I watched Lisa’s performance at Coachella and I was blown away by her! Vocals, dances, outfits, her presence on stage ALL AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL!!! The lighting effects are cool! Lisa set a high bar for preparation for performances,”another fan said.
“Lisa did an amazing job y’all can cry in the corner or whatever,”another fan added.
These supportive comments came in response to detractors who criticized her for her dance moves, particularly since her mother was in attendance. Some fans expressed their disapproval of the backlash.
“We are fans of Lalisa and respect her dance but that does not mean that we will not say anything about whatever she does,”a fan reacted.
“Especially with Lisa’s mom there in the crowd,”another fan added.
“How could she become like this?”another fan said.
Lisa Takes Coachella 2025 by Storm: Support from Rosé and The White Lotus 3
On the same day, Lisa’s performance impressed with its energetic vibe and showcased her diverse talents. She cleverly referenced her role as Mook in The White Lotus 3, highlighting the contrast between her character and herself.
Among her supporters were fellow BLACKPINK member Rosé and cast members from HBO’s The White Lotus 3, cheering her on from the audience.
During her set, Lisa performed fan-favorite “Money,”captivating the audience with her dynamic choreography and powerful vocals. She also introduced tracks from her latest solo effort, including:
- Thunder
- Lifestyle
- Born Again
- Moonlit Floor
- ROCKSTAR
- Fxck Up The World
- Dream
- Elastigirl
Lisa’s fashion choices further added to the spectacle, featuring a stunning array of outfits that balanced high fashion with performance needs, including a striking metallic bodysuit and a playful Hello Kitty ensemble adorned with LED lights.
Looking ahead, the talented rapper is set to grace the Sahara stage once again for her second headline show at Coachella on April 18 at 7:45 PM PST (April 19 KST).