Lalisa Manobal, who has gone by Lisa since the wildly popular girl group Blackpink’s 2016 debut, has been chosen by ELLE USA for its September 2024 issue. This makes her the first K-pop solo artist to appear on the magazine’s cover in any month.
This choice is especially noteworthy because she recently had the success of her new song “Rockstar,” which only a week ago surpassed 144 million views in just 38 days to become the most-watched music video of any female artist globally in 2024.
In the September 2024 issue of ELLE, Lisa’s cover story delves into her development on both a personal and professional level. It is a striking demonstration of her development as a multidimensional artist and person that goes beyond the world of fashion.
Photo Credit: Reddit
Lisa revealed a little of her actual nature in a recent interview with ELLE, saying, “To be honest, I’m not the type who’s really good at expressing my feelings. Lately, I feel more confident of what I think, and say it out loud.″
She assertively conveys her newly discovered independence, highlighting the significance of self-governance in her creative endeavors. “I think what I’ve learned from last time is me, myself, saying what I like and what I don’t like,” says Lisa of making creative decisions under her own banner. “I think that’s the most important. Because if I say, ‘Ah, it’s okay,’ [people] don’t know—like, am I really okay with it? So, I have to be able to say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Not in between. She is taking the reins of her creative vision, and it shows in her songs, dress sense, and overall career trajectory.
She also candidly shares, “I’m into leather stuff. Big, big earrings. Silver accessories. When I wear it, I just feel like, ‘Okay, I’m a rock star.’ I’m going to walk like a rock star. I’m going to sit like a rock star.” This audacious change is more than simply cosmetic; it represents a change in her desired public persona in terms of both her musical and style persona.
Fans of BLACKPINK are reassured by Lisa that the group’s journey is far from finished even in spite of her solo endeavors, according to Dscene. She, along with her bandmates Jennie, Jisoo, and Rosé, have all extended their contracts with YG Entertainment to continue working together even though they have separated ways for their individual careers. Yang Hyun-suk, the founder of YG, really alluded to a possible BLACKPINK tour in 2025. “Definitely, we’re going to continue,” Lisa replies. “We’re incredibly proud of BLACKPINK, and I love BLACKPINK.” We are doing it for ourselves, not only for our followers. She continues, switching to Korean, “There was no doubt.” This is our life, Dscene claims.
Lisa’s outstanding history of accomplishments continues to grow as she makes her acting debut in ‘The White Lotus’ season 3. The Thai artist was also just designated Louis Vuitton’s newest global ambassador. With her daring design choices perfectly matching the vision of Nicolas Ghesquière, artistic director of Louis Vuitton, this cooperation further strengthens her standing as a fashion star.