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Arts & Culture
26 March 2025

BLACKPINK's Lisa Reflects On Meeting Justin Bieber

The K-pop star shares her regrets and musical inspirations in a recent interview.

BLACKPINK's Lisa recently opened up about her encounter with pop superstar Justin Bieber, revealing her biggest regret from that fateful meeting. In an interview with The Guardian, the 27-year-old singer, who is also a rapper in the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, reflected on how she had been a fan of Bieber since her youth, knowing every lyric to his hit song "Baby." "I think everyone was a Bieber fan when they were young," she remarked, reminiscing about her admiration for the artist.

Lisa recalled that her first meeting with Bieber occurred a few years ago and lasted long enough for her to exchange a quick "hi." However, she expressed regret for not sharing the depth of her admiration for him, admitting, "I didn’t tell him how much I loved him." She attributed her hesitation to being "too shy" during their brief interaction.

In contrast, when Lisa met fellow pop icon Rihanna, she did not hold back. She enthusiastically told Rihanna how much she adored her, and noted that Rihanna's song "Work" is her go-to track for parties, saying it "lifts everyone’s feelings up." Lisa's candidness with Rihanna highlights a stark difference in her demeanor when faced with her idols.

Lisa's passion for music extends beyond her interactions with other artists. She shared that Britney Spears’ "Baby One More Time" was the first song that truly captivated her, leading her to fall in love with music after watching its iconic music video. Additionally, she mentioned that SZA’s "Snooze" is the song she enjoys while waking up and getting ready for the day, and Ariana Grande’s "Eternal Sunshine" is another favorite. For karaoke, Lisa revealed that Carly Rae Jepsen’s "Call Me Maybe" is her song of choice, while she admitted to crying to her own track, "Dream." Interestingly, she also mentioned that she can no longer listen to BLACKPINK’s "Boombayah" due to the song's aggressive dance moves, stating, "There’s a lot of whipping your head, so it’s really intense to perform."

In addition to her musical endeavors, Lisa has recently made headlines for her acting career. She marked her acting debut in the HBO series The White Lotus, which premiered on February 16, 2025. In the show, she plays the character Mook, a health mentor in Thailand. Lisa described her first day on set as nerve-wracking, saying she was so anxious that she ended up "sweating" excessively and struggled to remember her lines. "I was like, ‘I can’t remember my lines. I’m blanked,’" she recalled, but was grateful for the supportive atmosphere on set.

Lisa's rise to fame has not been without its challenges. On March 2, 2025, she made history by becoming the first K-pop idol to perform at the Academy Awards. She performed her pre-release song "Born Again" from her album Alter Ego, which was released just days earlier on February 28, 2025. However, her performance was marred by accusations of lip-syncing, a claim that has followed her through various performances, including her appearances at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards and the Global Citizen Festival.

Adding to the recent discussions surrounding Lisa, 2NE1’s Dara revealed on March 22, 2025, that YG Entertainment had previously restricted Lisa from using her full vocal potential during her trainee days. Dara recounted how the agency asked Lisa not to turn on her microphone during evaluations, fearing her powerful voice would overshadow her fellow trainees. "I remember when I was with BLACKPINK friends, before their debut, during their monthly evaluation; I was there once. Watching each of them perform on stage. These days everyone uses a mic, right? Yeah, they told Lisa not to turn her mic on because her voice was so powerful," Dara explained. This revelation sparked criticism against YG Entertainment, with fans expressing outrage over the restrictions placed on Lisa's vocal abilities.

As the conversation about Lisa's talent continues, some fans have taken to social media to voice their frustration with the agency's decisions. Comments ranged from disbelief at the limitations imposed on her to praise for her undeniable talent. However, not all reactions have been positive, with some netizens criticizing the praise for Lisa's vocals, suggesting that her fans are exaggerating her capabilities.

Despite the challenges and criticisms, Lisa's journey as an artist is noteworthy. She has established herself as a force in the music industry, both as part of BLACKPINK and as a solo artist. Her debut album Lalisa achieved remarkable success, selling 736,000 copies in its first week in South Korea alone, and her song "Money" broke records by becoming the fastest K-pop track to reach one billion streams on Spotify.

As Lisa navigates her burgeoning career in both music and acting, she remains an inspiration to many. Her candid reflections on her encounters with other artists, her struggles with shyness, and her determination to showcase her talents continue to resonate with fans around the world. With upcoming projects and performances, it's clear that Lisa's star will only continue to rise.

In a world where even the most successful artists experience moments of doubt and regret, Lisa's story is a reminder that vulnerability and authenticity can lead to growth and connection.