Learn Blackpink Lisa’s Secret Tips to Rockstar Confidence!

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Lisa (aka Lalisa Manoban) from BLACKPINK is no stranger to tearing the stage up with her rap and dance skills with confidence and ease. What’s crazy is that Lisa did NOT settle from “just” being one of the world’s most popular dance divas with a pretty face; she broke the internet yet again (with 40 million views in one day!) with her most recent totally unrecognizable (yet debatable) look in her latest hit “Rockstar” on YouTube! Lisa’s confidence did not come without struggles, let’s learn about her secret tips in developing her confidence. 

Who is Lisa from BLACKPINK?

Thai singer, rapper and dancer Lalisa Manobal (Lisa in short) is the lead dancer in the Korean girl group Blackpink. She also ventured solo with her Lalisa album debut in 2021. Not only is Lisa popular in Korea, she has become an international phenomenal which the hit song “”Ddu-du Ddu-du” which become no. 1 on both South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart and the US Billboard World Digital Songs chart. Furthermore, Lisa has broken the Guinness world record by gaining 1 million followers on TikTok in just 2 hours and 18 minutes. She is also the first MTV Video Music Award and MTV Europe Music Award ever won by a K-pop soloist.

Nonetheless, during her early career, Lisa has received racist criticism on her South East Asian roots as well as her tan skin colour with people asking her to leave Korea. She was only 14 back then! As she rose to fame internationally, she got not just hate, but death threats just because she shines on stage. 

1. Good-looking skins are all the same, but interesting souls are unique.

Lalisa (Lisa) is not afraid to look “ugly” or cause controversy with her latest cyberpunk look. Pale or tanned skin, Lisa gave no “fs” to online critics and embraced her futuristic looks with metal teeth created by photographer Jack Bridgland that showed her versatility and a dare to venture spirit. 

Lisa never tries to blend in. In her latest song Rockstar, she flexed by imitating those who do not have multi-language skills like her inquiring, “Lisa, could you teach me Japanese?”. How cool is that!

2. Staying true to yourself

Despite racist comments to her, Lisa is not afraid to present her Thai heritage. In her first solo song Lalisa MV (definitely my fav thus far, fangirling), she bleeds confidence by sits perched on an ornate Thai throne with a beautiful Thai outfit. In a teen vogue interview, LaLisa said her main message to her fans “BLINKS” in this MV is to be “always be confident” through being confident herself.

3. She “calls out” her negative thoughts

Leaving your hometown to start training at 14 was no easy feat. In an interview with W magazine Korea, Lisa said,

“I try not to feel trapped by negative thoughts or emotions. I also try to break negative thoughts, such as ‘Why do I feel so bad today?’ or ‘Things would have worked out better if I was in a better mood.”

-Lisa Manobal

Lisa’s secret for confidence is to always keep it positive. Fellow Blackpink member Jennie once said, “Lisa is the most constant one. She brings positive energy into the group,” Jisoo said, “If someone is fed up one day, Lisa makes that person laugh. She keeps us energized”. 

4. Play up the goods, and tune down the noise

As simple as it sounds, Lisa sticks by the life motto ‘Let It Be’.

“I feel more comfortable by thinking this way. Even when things don’t go well, I just tell myself, ‘Well, bad things can happen’ or ‘I will do better next time.” 

As demonstrated in how she handled some past incidents, Lisa tended to play up the positives and moved on quickly from the negatives. Even after being scammed millions by her past manager. She just quietly changed her manager without any drama. Saving her time to make way for better things ahead instead of focusing on the negatives. 

5. Hard work and tenacity to hone your craft

LaLisa trained 12-15 hours a day and monthly tests for over 5 years before her Blackpink journey. Confidence is not just through thoughts but taking actions towards your dreams and training for it. Honing your skills and being the best in what you do is a key factor of feeling confident.

In addition to that, intense training and performance has caused Lisa to injure her shoulders. She has learnt to hide these in front of cameras and only sharing these stories later on when she has recovered. 

6. Carrying yourself with poise and grace

Even in high-pressure situations. Lisa moves with a fluid elegance, never appearing flustered or self-conscious. Practice good posture, maintain eye contact, and avoid fidgeting – these small adjustments can make you feel and appear more confident.

7. Having a bigger goal

Wanting to achieve something bad enough make obstacles look smaller. LaLisa had a strong passion for dancing and she went all out to chase her dreams. 

In her Rolling Stone interview, Lisa mentioned that, 

“I’ve been going to dance classes since I was five. I competed in all these dance competitions”

– Lisa Manobal

When she won the YG contract in Korea at 14, LaLisa moved to Korea alone without knowing a single Korean word. She recalled the days training as a teen where she had to call her mom in Bangkok daily because of how lonely and drained she felt. Till this day, despite how competitive her industry is, Lisa rarely complained about anything. Most trainees in her company had spoke fondly on how Lisa had encouraged them. Here are some notes shared by her fellow trainees from her mentor days in a China pop idol contest “Youth”:

All in all, to become confident like Lisa Manobal, takes a combination of knowing your passion, authenticity, self-assurance, grit, poise, emotional maturity and a willingness to own your unique qualities. It’s never just pure talent the brings people where they want to be. Remember that true confidence comes from within. Avoid comparing yourself to others and trust that you have everything you need to shine (more tips to overcome your insecurities and be confident). Embrace your flaws, be unapologetically yourself, and let your inner light radiate outward. With consistency and self-belief, you can cultivate the same captivating confidence as the iconic Lisa.