BLACKPINK’s Lisa Apologizes for Using Racial Slur During Trainee Days
BLACKPINK member Lisa has publicly apologized for using a racial slur during her trainee years, saying she did not fully understand its meaning at the time.
In an interview with Variety on September 14, Lisa discussed her upcoming documentary, Always Lalisa, which chronicles her journey as a solo artist and her experiences throughout her career.
The documentary, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, also addresses a leaked video from Lisa’s trainee days in which she was seen performing a rap containing the N-word.
The incident reportedly became particularly difficult for Lisa after the video was leaked shortly before her first solo performance at Coachella. According to the documentary, Lisa also received death threats from the person who leaked the footage.
Her current agency, LLOUD, reportedly considered releasing an official statement regarding the incident, but YG Entertainment, which managed BLACKPINK at the time, opposed the move.
Speaking about the controversial footage, Lisa acknowledged that using the racial slur was wrong and expressed regret over her past actions.
“I really believe that I should apologize for what happened,” Lisa said. “Honestly, I’m Thai and I grew up in Thailand. At the time, I didn’t have the opportunity to learn about those things, so I didn’t understand what the word meant.”
Lisa added that she has since learned about the historical and social significance of the term.
“But now I’ve learned and educated myself, and I would never do something like that again. It was absolutely wrong,” she said.
Lisa also opened up about how the controversy affected her emotionally, particularly because it emerged just before an important milestone in her career.
“Everything was happening in real time,” she recalled. “I just wanted to focus on my performance, but something happened that was completely out of my control. In the end, I got through it.”
Always Lalisa, the documentary focusing on Lisa’s solo career and personal journey, is scheduled for a limited theatrical and IMAX release in select locations worldwide beginning October 12.