Lalisa Manobel is the darling of Gen Z, in the world's biggest girl band and has 105M Insta followers... but is a virtual unknown to the over 30s. Now all that's about to change for the Thai rapper as she makes her acting debut in The White Lotus

Her first solo album, a world tour announcement and an acting debut in HBO's hit series - these are all happening just this month alone, for one global superstar. Lisa, of K-pop sensation Blackpink - which has more than 40 billion on-demand streams as of November 2024 - has been slowly but surely rising to the top. Real name Lalisa Manobal, the triple threat who is originally from Thailand was only 13 when she beat thousands of other aspiring idols in auditions for Seoul-based label YG's notoriously gruelling trainee scheme.

At the time, she spoke no Korean - and was the company's first ever musician hopeful that wasn't of the country's descent. But now the star, 27, is sure to reach a whole new level of fame, with a role in White Lotus's highly anticipated third season. At Monday night's premiere - ahead of the show airing on Sunday - clad in a silver and golden gown and holding onto a decorative flower, she gushed: 'I don't know what to feel right now. I'm just so excited. I can't wait for all of you guys to watch this show.'.

Speaking to Variety, she continued: 'It is my first acting [experience] so I don't know what to expect on set' but everybody just being so supportive helped me a lot. So thank you, everyone.'. Remarking on her her first day of filming, she admitted to feeling 'so nervous' and 'sweating'. At Monday night's premiere - ahead of the show airing on Sunday - clad in a silver and golden gown and holding onto a decorative flower, Lisa gushed: 'I don't know what to feel right now. I'm just so excited. I can't wait for all of you guys to watch this show'.

'I was like, "I can't remember my lines",' she revealed. 'I'm blanked.'. But the stage fright may be surprising to hear for fans of Lisa's music - as she is renowned for her dancing skills, exceptional rapping skills and confident persona. In the lyrics of one of her latest hit singles - Rockstar - she confidently sings: 'Been on a mission, boy, they call me catch-and-kill; I'm stealin' diamonds, make them chase me for the thrill... That's my life, life, baby, I'm a rockstar.'.

The tune - which earned her the coveted Best K-Pop prize at the MTV VMAs in September - is a teaser of her upcoming album, Alter Ego, to be released by her own label, Lloud and RCA Records. She has also recently released a song with Raye and Doja Cat. Announcing her own company in February last year in an Instagram post - which featured a sleek black and white photoshoot that showcased the entertainer in a glamorous suit and tie - Lisa, introduced her 'platform to showcase my vision in music and entertainment'.

'Join me on this exciting journey to push through new boundaries together,' she added. Little is known about her role - but in the trailer she features both as a worker at the hotel, welcoming guests, and dancing in traditional Thai clothing. Announcing her own company in February last year in an Instagram post - which featured a sleek black and white photoshoot that showcased the entertainer in a glamorous suit and tie - Lisa, introduced her 'platform to showcase my vision in music and entertainment'.

Real name Lalisa Manobal, the triple threat who is originally from Thailand was only 13 when she beat thousands of other aspiring idols in auditions for Seoul-based label YG's notoriously gruelling trainee scheme. Pictured in 2019. The move - followed by fellow bandmate Jennie Kim's launch of her agency ODD ATELIER and Kim Ji-soo's launching Blissoo - appears to be the latest in a move to establish herself as a solo performer in the wake of the group's split from huge South Korean agency Young Entertainment (YG) as individual artists.

Her third bandmate, Rosé (real name Roseanne Park) also signed with THEBLACKLABEL and Atlantic Records ahead of releasing her debut solo project, Rosie last year. Both Jennie and Jisoo also have albums under their own labels coming out - and are also signed with Columbia Records and Warner Records respectively. While they remain under their long-time label YG as Blackpink, Lisa, Jennie, Rose and Jisoo now have the opportunity to establish more of their own endeavours, Rolling Stone reported.

And the fab four are set to make a united comeback this year - as they have announced a world tour in 2025. Describing her training days in the group's 2020 Netflix documentary, Blackpink: Light Up the Sky, Lisa admitted it was lonely and challenging to be away from her family in Thailand. 'I had to keep fighting. I had to give it my all,' she said. 'I didn't care about how long it would take. I said, 'Bring it on! I don't care anymore!''.

Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2022 Lisa opened up about the experience - including the monthly performance evaluations which are famously cutthroat. Speaking to Elle about the project over the summer, Lisa branded director Mike White a 'genius' - and said she 'cried' after learning she got the part. Pictured in the trailer. Being a triple threat is far from Lisa's only accolade. As well as being the most followed K-pop star on Instagram - where she posts to more than 105 million fans - Lisa was in 2023 invited for a prestigious state banquet in Buckingham Palace and received an honourary MBE from King Charles III.