Blackpink’s Lisa Is a Red-Hot “Rockstar” in Fiery Solo VMA Debut

Blackpink‘s Lisa can add an electric 2024 MTV VMAs performance and a best K-Pop VMA to her ever-growing list of accolades this year.

The 27-year-old Thai singer and rapper, whose real name is Lalisa Manobal, took to the stage early in the night for her first solo performance at MTV’s Video Music Awards. Decked out in an all-red outfit, the singer kicked off a two-song medley with her recent single “New Woman.”

During the short performance of “New Woman,” which normally features Spanish singer and songwriter Rosalía, Lisa showcased her vocal range and dancing abilities, performing a portion of the song dancing around matching red chairs.

Lisa quickly transitioned into her hit summer single “Rockstar.” The energetic performance lit up the stage — quite literally, as the star opted for added fire effects behind the stage. The global pop star, known as one of the strongest dancers in K-Pop, included a dance break that featured a slew of background dancers.

Later in the evening, Carson Daly presented Lisa with the best K-Pop VMA for “Rockstar.” She thanked fans of Blackpink and her as a solo artist, collectively known as Blinks and Lilies, respectively. The singer previously won the category in 2022 for her solo single “LALISA.”

While 2024 might be the first year that Lisa, the solo artist, performed at the VMAs, Lisa, the member of unstoppable girl group Blackpink, has been on the VMA stage before. Lisa, the youngest, along with her three fellow group members (Jennie, Jisoo and Rosé), performed their hit single “Pink Venom” during the 2022 VMAs.

Lisa released “New Woman” last month and “Rockstar” in June. “Rockstar” was the first single to come from her recently formed solo partnership with RCA Records. In December 2023, it was announced that Blackpink had renewed their exclusive contracts for group activities with YG Entertainment; however, it was later announced that all four members decided to part ways with the label for solo activities.

In February, Lisa announced the formation of her new company LLOUD, which she described in an Instagram post as a “platform to showcase my vision in music and entertainment.” In April, RCA Records announced that Lisa and LLOUD were entering a partnership with the record label. According to a release from the label, the deal allows Lisa to release new solo music under RCA Records while maintaining full ownership of all her recordings.

Lisa, who was recently named a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, is expected to co-headline the 2024 Global Citizen Festival later this month. The New York concert will be the singer’s solo festival debut, having previously headlined and performed at Coachella with Blackpink.