September 8, 2025, 10:51 AM IST – Lisa Manobal, better known as Lisa of BLACKPINK, has cemented her place in music history by securing her third MTV Video Music Award for Best K-Pop at the 2025 VMAs, held on September 7 at New York’s UBS Arena. Her track “Born Again,” a collaboration with American rapper Doja Cat and British singer-songwriter Raye, earned the prestigious Moon Person trophy, making Lisa the first solo artist to win the category three times and tying her with BTS for the most wins since its inception in 2019. Unable to attend the ceremony, Lisa delivered a heartfelt pre-recorded acceptance speech, expressing gratitude to her collaborators, team, and fans.
The 2025 VMAs, hosted by LL Cool J, celebrated a diverse array of global talent, but Lisa’s victory stood out as a landmark achievement. “Born Again,” the fourth single from her debut solo album Alter Ego (released February 2025 via Lloud and RCA Records), is a dynamic pop track infused with electropop and disco elements, lauded for its empowering post-breakup narrative and vibrant production. The song’s nomination sparked debate among fans, with some arguing its English-language composition and international collaborators made it more suited for categories like Best Pop or Best Collaboration. Despite this, the win underscores Lisa’s enduring influence in the K-pop sphere, even as she pushes boundaries beyond traditional genre definitions.
Lisa’s journey to this historic triumph began with her 2021 solo debut “Lalisa,” which earned her the Best K-Pop award in 2022, followed by her 2024 win for “Rockstar,” the lead single from Alter Ego. Her third victory in 2025 places her alongside BTS, who also hold three wins in the category, solidifying her status as a global powerhouse. The competition was fierce, with “Born Again” up against strong contenders, including tracks by her BLACKPINK bandmates Jisoo (“Earthquake”), Jennie (“Like Jennie”), and Rosé (“Toxic Till the End”), as well as BTS’s Jimin (“Who”), Stray Kids (“Chk Chk Boom”), and aespa (“Whiplash”). Remarkably, Lisa faced off against all three of her bandmates, highlighting BLACKPINK’s dominance at the VMAs.
In her pre-recorded acceptance speech aired during the VMAs pre-show, Lisa expressed deep gratitude: “I’m so honored to be receiving this award. I want to thank MTV and VMAs for all the love and support. Thank you to Doja Cat and Raye for making ‘Born Again’ such a special song, and to [my] RCA Family and Team LLOUD, thank you for helping me to get to where I am today. And lastly, to Lilies and Blinks, I couldn’t have done it without you guys, so thank you and I love you.” The speech resonated with fans worldwide, who flooded platforms like X with celebratory posts, praising her talent and global impact.
The win marks a significant milestone for Lisa, who has transitioned from her role in BLACKPINK to a solo artist under her own label, Lloud, while maintaining her K-pop roots. “Born Again” debuted at number one on the Official Thailand Chart, becoming her first chart-topper in her home country, and peaked at number 68 on the US Billboard Hot 100, her highest charting entry to date. Its music video, directed by Bardia Zeinali, paid tribute to powerful women in history and featured Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye transitioning from mourning gowns to white outfits with silver armor, symbolizing rebirth and empowerment.
The victory also spotlighted Lisa’s collaborators. For Doja Cat, “Born Again” marked her sixth VMA win, while Raye celebrated her first, following a nomination for Video for Good in 2024 for her single “Genesis.” The track’s global appeal and critical acclaim have fueled discussions about genre categorization, with fans on X noting its pop sensibilities and questioning its placement in the K-pop category. One user remarked, “BORN AGAIN, a song by a THAI woman featuring AMERICAN and BRITISH women, with ENGLISH lyrics being nominated under KPOP category is stupidity @vmas. It deserves Best POP and Collaboration nominations.” Despite the controversy, Lisa’s win has been celebrated as a testament to her versatility and cross-cultural influence.
Lisa’s historic achievement comes amid a banner year for BLACKPINK, with the group also winning Best Group at the 2025 VMAs, beating out competitors like Katseye, SEVENTEEN, and Coldplay. Her bandmate Rosé also made waves, securing Song of the Year for her collaboration with Bruno Mars, “APT.,” becoming the first K-pop artist to win in that category. Together, these wins highlight BLACKPINK’s continued dominance on the global stage as they embark on their 2025-26 stadium tour, with upcoming stops in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Bangkok, Thailand.
As Lisa continues to break barriers, her third Best K-Pop VMA win solidifies her legacy as a trailblazer in K-pop and beyond. Fans, known as Lilies and Blinks, celebrated her triumph across social media, with one X post declaring, “Lisa making history again! 3rd Best K-Pop VMA, unmatched queen!” With her Alter Ego era in full swing and her global influence growing, Lisa Manobal’s star continues to rise. For more on the VMAs and global entertainment news, visit www.nriglobe.com.
