BLACKPINK’s Lisa found herself at the centre of a social media trolling after landing a prestigious international magazine cover alongside Hollywood heavyweights like Zendaya, Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, and Sydney Sweeney. While many celebrated the achievement, critics questioned Lisa’s inclusion in a lineup..
The backlash began when one Twitter user remarked, “K-pop fans please do not cyberbully me to death, but why is someone who has never been in a movie being presented as a Hollywood peer of Nicole Kidman?”
This triggered a broader debate, with another commenter adding, “Everyone’s mad that they put Lisa next to all these actors. I’m mad because they put all these newcomers next to THEE Nicole Kidman. No one’s here on her level.”
Another said, “i mean you’re not wrong but like.. do you think Sydney Sweeney is on the same level as nicole kidman because if you gonna wack lisa you gotta wack everybody”
However, Lisa’s fans were quick to defend her inclusion. Highlighting her global influence, one BLINK pointed out that a teaser featuring Lisa on HBO’s Instagram reel garnered over 12.4 million views, far surpassing the next most-watched post featuring Pedro Pascal’s The Last of Us, which attracted 1.4 million views. “Her acting debut next year. Everything with LISAs name/face on it will attract tons of views & who wouldn’t want that? Just a lil example on HBOs IG profile, she literally appears 1 sec,” the fan wrote.
Other supporters emphasised Lisa’s remarkable career achievements, from holding nine Guinness World Records to having billions of streams across music platforms and over 100 million Instagram followers. One fan noted, “Singling out Lisa as not being a peer of Nicole Kidman feels unfair, especially when others in the lineup aren’t on her level either. Lisa is starring in The White Lotus, which is an Emmy-nominated show. She belongs here.”
Some defended her presence by drawing attention to the differences between K-pop fame and Hollywood stardom. “It’s an odd comparison—K-pop fame versus Hollywood icons. Different industries, different forms of recognition,” a fan commented.
Amidst the debate, Lisa’s defenders argued that her inclusion highlights the growing influence of K-pop and its stars in global entertainment. “To answer your question why, cuz Lisa sells, people buy cuz she endorses,” the fan said.
Another said, “The point of the Hollywood Issue is to highlight experienced actors who are still relevant/successful (eg Nicole Kidman), actors who are having career defining moments (eg Zendaya) and fresh new faces (eg Lisa). I could say the same for previous H-issues so why the backlash?”
Lisa will be seen playing the role of Mook, presumably the hotel manager in the third instalment of ‘The White Lotus’. The series will reportedly be set in Thailand.
