The Viral Truth: 5 Shocking Details Behind Lisa’s Controversial 2025 Met Gala Debut

The global fashion world was set on fire on May 5, 2025, when BLACKPINK's Lisa Manobal—one of the most influential figures in K-pop and luxury fashion—finally made her highly anticipated debut at the annual Met Gala in New York City. The event, a crucial fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, is known for its extravagant themes, but it was Lisa’s daring, custom Louis Vuitton ensemble that instantly became the night’s biggest talking point, sparking a controversy that went viral across every social media platform.

The look, designed in collaboration with Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Creative Director, Pharrell Williams, and a celebrated Black artist, was a bold interpretation of the year’s theme. While many praised the sheer audacity and craftsmanship of the outfit, a misunderstanding about the artwork embroidered onto her clothing led to a massive public debate, forcing a clarification from the fashion house and cementing Lisa's first appearance as one of the most memorable and controversial debuts in Met Gala history.

Lalisa Manobal: Biography and Profile

Lalisa Manobal, known mononymously as Lisa, is a Thai rapper, singer, dancer, songwriter, and actress who has achieved global superstardom as a member of the South Korean girl group BLACKPINK.

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• Stage Name: Lisa (리사)
• Full Name: Lalisa Manobal (formerly Pranpriya Manobal)
• Date of Birth: March 27, 1997
• Birthplace: Buriram Province, Thailand
• Nationality: Thai
• Occupation: Rapper, Singer, Dancer, Songwriter, Actress
• Group: BLACKPINK (Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Sub-Vocalist, Maknae)
• Notable Roles: Global Ambassador for luxury brands including Celine and Bulgari, and an actress in the second season of the HBO series The White Lotus.

The 2025 Met Gala Theme: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style

The annual Met Gala event is always anchored by a specific theme that dictates the dress code and celebrates the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s newest Costume Institute exhibition. The theme for the 2025 Met Gala was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," with the accompanying dress code being "Tailored for You."

A Celebration of Black Dandyism

The exhibition focused on the concept of Black Dandyism, exploring the history and impact of Black style and tailoring over three hundred years. This theme was a significant and powerful choice, aiming to highlight the sophisticated fashion of Black men and women and their contribution to global style.

The dress code, "Tailored for You," encouraged attendees to interpret the theme through personalized, expertly crafted looks. Many celebrities chose to work with Black designers or incorporate the work of Black artists into their ensembles to pay homage to the theme.

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Lisa, as a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton, chose to collaborate with the French luxury house to create a look that was both daring and directly engaged with the theme, albeit in a way that would soon ignite an intense online firestorm.

5 Shocking Details Behind Lisa’s Controversial Louis Vuitton Look

Lisa's official Met Gala debut was anything but quiet. Her full ensemble—a sparkly black blazer, a sheer lace bodysuit, and controversial black tights—was a custom Louis Vuitton creation, styled by Pharrell Williams. The look was meant to be a bold, modern interpretation of the "Tailored for You" dress code, but five specific details turned it into a viral sensation.

1. The Custom Louis Vuitton Ensemble

The foundation of Lisa's outfit was a sleek, black lace bodysuit worn beneath a cropped, heavily embellished black blazer. The outfit was designed to be provocative and powerful, which Lisa herself noted during her final fitting with Vogue, stating, "When I wear black I feel powerful." The ensemble was completed with a black purse, black pumps, and a pearl chain, maintaining a monochromatic, sophisticated edge.

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2. The Viral "Cheeky Undies" and Tights

The most debated element of the look was the black tights and what appeared to be "cheeky undies" visible beneath the sheer lace bodysuit. This choice instantly polarized fans and fashion critics, with some calling it an incredibly bold and modern fashion statement, while others found it too revealing for the prestigious event. However, it was the specific design on the lower half of the outfit that caused the real controversy.

3. The Alleged Rosa Parks Imagery

Online speculation immediately erupted, with many fans and observers convinced that the embroidery on the visible lower garment—the tights or "pants"—depicted the face of civil rights icon Rosa Parks. This belief set the internet ablaze, leading to widespread backlash. Critics argued that using the image of a revered figure like Rosa Parks on such a revealing part of a garment, especially in the context of a high-fashion event, was disrespectful and inappropriate.

4. The Real Artist: Henry Taylor’s Portraits

The truth behind the controversial imagery was quickly revealed: the portraits were not of Rosa Parks, but were the work of acclaimed Black artist Henry Taylor. Taylor, a celebrated contemporary painter known for his powerful portraits of Black life, was commissioned by Louis Vuitton to embroider his artwork onto the ensemble. The collaboration was a direct and intentional nod to the "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" theme, celebrating the artistry and influence of Black creators. The portraits were reportedly of various historical Black figures, not just Rosa Parks, and covered the entire bodysuit.

5. Pharrell Williams’ Vision

The decision to incorporate Henry Taylor's work was orchestrated by Louis Vuitton Men's Creative Director, Pharrell Williams. Williams, known for his boundary-pushing designs and commitment to celebrating Black culture in fashion, aimed to make a powerful statement that transcended a simple red carpet dress. By commissioning Taylor's intricate embroidery, Williams ensured that Lisa's outfit was a piece of wearable art that directly engaged with the Met Gala’s theme of Black Dandyism and the celebration of Black style and artists. The final look, while controversial, successfully generated the topical authority and discussion that the Met Gala is famous for, ensuring Lisa’s debut would be one for the history books.

Lisa’s Impact and Future at the Met Gala

Despite the initial confusion and controversy, Lisa's 2025 Met Gala appearance solidified her status as a global fashion icon unafraid to take risks. Her willingness to wear a piece of custom couture that was both fashion-forward and deeply rooted in the thematic celebration of Black artistry was a bold move. The event also showcased the growing influence of K-pop stars on the world's most exclusive red carpets, with her BLACKPINK bandmate Jennie also in attendance.

The intensity of the viral debate—from the initial outrage over the mistaken identity of the portraits to the eventual praise for the collaboration between Louis Vuitton, Pharrell Williams, and Henry Taylor—demonstrates the immense power Lisa holds in the cultural zeitgeist. Looking ahead, rumors already suggest that Lisa’s relationship with the event will deepen, with some reports even speculating about her potential involvement with the 2026 Met Gala Host Committee, a clear sign that her debut was only the beginning of her journey through high-fashion history.