Lalisa Manobal, universally known as Lisa from the global sensation Blackpink, has publicly addressed a long-standing controversy involving a resurfaced video containing a racial slur. The Thai rapper and singer opened up about the issue during the promotional circuit for her upcoming documentary, Always Lisa, offering a candid explanation and sincere apology for past actions that sparked widespread criticism across social media.
The documentary, which provides an intimate look into Lisa’s solo career and personal life away from the umbrella of Blackpink, held its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Following the screening, Lisa sat down for an exclusive interview with the American entertainment magazine Variety to discuss the project and the hurdles she has faced. Always Lisa is scheduled for a broader theatrical and IMAX release on 12 October, with a subsequent premiere on YouTube Premium later in the year.
The controversy stems from a decade-old video that re-emerged last year as she was preparing for her landmark solo performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. In the footage, recorded when Lisa and her fellow Blackpink members were teenagers, they were shown practising tracks by other recording artists. The lyrics featured a derogatory term directed at Black people. Addressing this oversight, Lisa expressed deep regret, explaining that growing up in Thailand meant she lacked the cultural awareness and historical context surrounding the offensive language at the time.
“I really have to apologise,” Lisa remarked during the interview, noting that her upbringing provided no prior education regarding the gravity of the term. “I didn’t know back then.”
According to the documentary, her management agency had initially advised her to remain silent while the controversy unfolded. Reflecting on that turbulent period, the pop star admitted feeling disheartened because her primary focus was solely on perfecting her craft and stage performance. Despite feeling helpless against external scrutiny, she pressed forward.
Emphasising personal growth, Lisa assured fans that she has fully educated herself on the matter and is committed to ensuring such an incident never happens again. Meanwhile, the members of Blackpink—Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo, and Rosé—are currently pursuing individual projects. However, Lisa dismissed any notions of a permanent disbandment, declaring her enduring loyalty to the group by stating that she intends to remain a part of Blackpink even when she reaches fifty years of age.
