Just as the seasons paint the world with shifting hues, so too do we humans possess a diverse spectrum of personalities. The crisp mornings of winter, the blossoming rains of spring, the long, sunny days of summer, and the fiery foliage of autumn – each conjures a different mood, a different way of being. This constant dance of light and shadow, influenced by the Earth’s journey around the sun, deeply impacts how we express ourselves. And for Lisa Manoban, the 27-year-old powerhouse known simply as Lisa, this exploration of self is coming to the forefront in a BIG way.
Her highly anticipated debut album, “Alter Ego,” is not so much a departure but a bold continuation of a theme she’s embraced for years. As a member of the globally dominant K-Pop sensation BLACKPINK (BP), Lisa has consistently showcased her multifaceted talents, and these varied sides have been key to her immense popularity.
This Thai-born phenom is not just a dancer, rapper, and singer; she’s a polyglot, effortlessly delivering fire in five languages: Thai, English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese. To put that in perspective, less than 1% of the world’s population can speak five languages or more! On top of her linguistic prowess, Lisa’s undeniable fashion influence has made her a highly sought-after brand ambassador for luxury powerhouses like Celine, Bvlgari, and now, Louis Vuitton.
“This is my first full solo album,” Lisa confessed during a cozy Zoom interview from Los Angeles, just a day before her V Magazine cover shoot. With a cozy blanket and clear framed glasses on, the fireplace flickered softly behind her. “I released an EP a few years ago, just two songs, but now I wanted to expand my scope, play with a broader range of sounds, and really take creative control.” She’s referring to 2021’s “Lalisa” EP which spawned the mega-hits “Lalisa” and “Money”, propelling her solo career to new heights. “Lalisa” boasts over 500 million streams on Spotify, while “Money” has blasted past one billion.
At the time of our interview, Lisa had already released “Rockstar” and “New Woman,” a collaboration with Rosalía, both of which will feature on the new album. But these two tracks are just the tip of the iceberg for a year of staggering successes. She graced the VSF (Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show) and MTV Video Music Awards stages, and had her own solo festival debut at the Global Citizen Festival in NYC’s Central Park.
Adding to the excitement, July saw Lisa become the newest global ambassador for Louis Vuitton and her fearless, independent side came to the surface as she launched her very own company: LLOUD. This bold move marks a new chapter in Lisa’s career, giving her even more control over her creative and business direction.
”I’m so proud of everything,” Lisa said, reflecting on her monumental year. “But if I had to pick, the VSF was just incredible.” And it’s no wonder. Last year’s show, on October 15th, marked the brand’s comeback after a 6-year hiatus, with nearly 3 million viewers tuning into the live broadcast.
Alongside Tyla and Cher, Lisa’s performance and music helped set the stage for a star-studded runway featuring fashion icons Kate Moss, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Tyra Banks, and Candice Swanepoel.
While 3 million viewers are impressive, it pales in comparison to Lisa’s colossal fanbase. With over 105 million Instagram followers, she’s the most followed K-Pop artist in the world. These numbers have not only captured the attention of the music industry, but the fashion world too, who are taking note of her unprecedented global reach.
Connecting with her fans is incredibly important to Lisa. “When I was touring with BP, I got to meet so many fans, but there wasn’t really time to just sit and listen to them,” she explains. “This time it was different. I went to five cities, and I got the chance to really hear what they wanted to share with me. They even got up on stage and expressed themselves. It was just great quality time.”
One of the reasons Lisa cannot spend all the time she’d like with fans is her unbelievable work ethic, and her constant push to try new things. This drive led her to dip her toes into a new creative arena: acting.
Lisa’s first foray into television comes in the form of the character “Muk” in the wildly popular HBO series, “The White Lotus,” season 3. The plot will revolve around Thailand, Lisa’s beloved home country.
“This is my first time acting, so it took a lot of prep and getting used to. It’s a whole new world for me,” said Lisa. “I felt really lost at first, but on the first day of shooting, everyone was so supportive. Mike White…I love him, he’s amazing and he told me that I was doing a great job. I couldn’t believe it.”
Mike White told Entertainment Weekly that the season will be “longer, bigger, and crazier,” further stoking the excitement. It’s no secret that Lisa loves Thailand and she is delighted to hear that TWL is filming there. “Thai people are so proud.”
“I love the Thai culture, some people know how cool Thailand is, but I feel like [the show] is going to be an opportunity to show the rest of the world more about it, and how beautiful it is…and it was really fun on set too, my mom visited, so it was really great time for me.”
And as if these projects aren’t enough, Lisa is also set to grace the stage at Coachella in April, a festival where she performed with BP in 2019 (making history as the first K-Pop group to perform) and solo in 2023, making history again by being the first K-Pop artist to headline. When asked about her plans, Lisa looked a little surprised “I’m kind of living month by month, or day by day, so I haven’t really thought too much about what the following year will be like,” she says.
“But of course, I want to focus on releasing the album first, and then TWL is coming.”
One thing is for sure, Lisa’s future is not what it once was. The K-Pop industry is known for rigid rules and expectations, but Lisa’s career now transcends K-Pop. Those old constraints are obsolete. For this “New Woman,” this master of reinvention, the world is not just “black” or “pink” anymore; she is exploring the entire spectrum of shades in between.
Ref: vmagazine