LISA of BLACKPINK stole the spotlight at Coachella last weekend with a performance that had everyone talking. Her set became the center of attention across social media and news outlets, sparking conversations that stretched far beyond the festival grounds. While some netizens tried to stir debate over her bold fashion and 'provocative' moves, the Thai pop icon proved that she's unbeatable, making Coachella history with record-breaking mentions.
In just one weekend, LISA was mentioned more than 6.1 million times, officially breaking the record for the most weekly mentions in Coachella history. She surpassed her own group, BLACKPINK, which received 5.8 million mentions during their 2023 Coachella headlining set. Notably, she also outperformed this year's other big acts like Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, and even her own bandmate Jennie, who had previously set records of her own during BLACKPINK’s headline appearance.
"#LISA has broken the record for the Most weekly mentions in Coachella history, surpassing 6.1 Million in one weekend! 💪💥🏆1⃣🏜️🏟️🐐👑❤️🔥," tweeted World Music Awards on April 16, 2025.
LISA took over Coachella's Sahara Tent on April 11, delivering an iconic set that was stacked with energy, starting with solo favorites like "MONEY" and "LALISA." While fans were a bit disappointed when she traded a dance break for some sensual moves, she made up for it with her stage work, changing five costumes throughout her performance, portraying all five of her alter ego's personalities.
One of the sweetest moments of the night came when fans spotted Rosé in the crowd during LISA’s performance. Accompanied by Lisa's mom, the BLACKPINK singer was seen enjoying the show and showing love from the audience, which sent BLINKS into full heart-melt mode.
Beyond her rockstar status, LISA recently made headlines for joining the third season of The White Lotus. In the Mike White-created series, she played the role of Mook, a manager at The White Lotus Thailand resort. During her Coachella set, her co-stars Patrick Schwarzenegger and Tayme Thapthimthong were spotted in the crowd, cheering her on and easily among the loudest voices in the audience.
Meanwhile, BLACKPINK’s Rosé also went viral in a video from Coachella 2025. She attended headliner Lady Gaga’s set, and while Gaga performed her and Bruno Mars’ "Die With A Smile," Rosé attempted to Facetime Bruno from the audience. Unfortunately, it seems he didn’t answer, but she still clearly enjoyed herself.
As the festival unfolded, it seemed that Lady Gaga was inevitably going to steal all the expected focus. The Grammy-winner delivered a near-20 song set that largely celebrated her new album, Mayhem, while also serving as a memory lane stroll for her legion of fans with classics like "Bad Romance," "Shallow," "Paparazzi," and "Born This Way" peppered throughout. Tickets for her Australian leg went on sale not long after the Coachella festivities.
Despite the hype surrounding Gaga, LISA emerged as a “Rockstar” who absolutely demolished the stage in a manner that her loyal fans expected, but the largely uninitiated general population weren’t prepared for. To many, she’s one quarter of the top-selling K-pop group BLACKPINK, and to others, she’s become known as Mook from the most recent season of The White Lotus. Now, to all, she’s LISA – a bona fide headliner and stage stealer who, in one show, has solidified herself as a music mainstay.
While two of LISA’s BLACKPINK cohorts, Jennie and Rosé, have arguably had greater success on paper in recent years, LISA made an impact that transcends sales and stats. Jennie has held the number one position for the past three years as the most streamed female K-pop soloist in America, while Rosé’s single "Apt." became the second-fastest song in history to cross a billion streams, coincidentally behind Gaga’s "Die with a Smile." However, LISA’s performance at Coachella was a testament to her artistry and resilience.
LISA’s stage at the Sahara is not considered a main stage, often hosting major electronic acts, yet she captivated an audience of 100,000 people, silencing any critics who questioned her status. Many had thrown around the term “industry plant” when LISA appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair’s Hollywood issue alongside stars like Nicole Kidman and Zendaya, but her Coachella performance proved her critics wrong.
Her character in The White Lotus might not have had a major impact, but the show’s success and her fine performance added another feather in her cap. Her album, Alter Ego, released in February 2025, debuted at #7 in the US with first-week sales of 45,000 and also achieved a #5 position in Australia. The album’s concept came full circle during her Coachella set, showcasing LISA as an artist with a vision.
During her opening number, "Thunder," LISA and her dancers arrived on stage chained, and by the time she moved on to the follow-up, the aggressive rap track "Fxck Up The World," they were unshackled. LISA was no longer just “BLACKPINK’s LISA,” but a full-fledged soloist with an artistic vision and a musical story to be told through methodical chapters that embraced a series of conceptual characters.
While her vocal ability has often come under scrutiny, LISA demonstrated her ownership of her instrument during the slower moments of the album ballad "Dream," captivating the audience and proving her status as a performer. It was a night where she lit up the stage and embraced her identity, leaving no doubt that she is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
As LISA prepares for her second performance at Coachella on April 18, 2025, fans eagerly anticipate what she will deliver next. From her record-breaking mentions to her stunning performances, LISA has undoubtedly made her mark at this year’s festival and in the music world.
