The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards were a big moment for music. For Lisa, it seemed to be a defining moment in her solo career. The K-pop superstar has built a sizeable fandom over the years—affectionately dubbed the Lilies—and they were monumental to Lisa’s appearance at this year’s VMAs, securing her one of the biggest nights of her solo career.
Sawadika—Live On Stage
At the awards show, Lisa performed her single from her upcoming EP Press Play, Sawadika, and it was as if the music video came to life before our eyes. Her performance honoured various parts of her Thai heritage, including a moving backdrop showing landmarks in Bangkok and a tuk tuk being brought on stage. Elements of combat were even incorporated into her choreography, in an allusion to the martial art of Muay Thai.
That Best Pop Win
This year’s VMAs saw Lisa nominated for four categories as a solo artist, including Best K-pop and Best Pop. The idol is no stranger to the Best K-pop category, having won it three times before. This year, however, marked her first time in the Best Pop category, nominated for her song Dream from her debut solo album Alter Ego. Dream is a departure from Lisa’s usual rap-heavy, high-energy tracks, presenting a decidedly softer side to the singer that many fans were delighted to hear upon its release. The singer went on to win the Best Pop award for the night, making history as the first K-pop soloist to win. With a category that’s stacked with other pop girls like Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Ariana Grande, Lisa’s win shows that she has made a name for herself outside of K-pop and has found a space for herself within the realm of pop music.
A True Show-Stopper
Of course, we can’t talk about Lisa’s biggest moments at the VMAs without talking about the star’s rotation of red hot looks. For her arrival to the awards ceremony, Lisa walked the carpet in a sheer red gown from The Atttico, pairing body-hugging dress with an oversized fur coat from Quine Li.
Her on-stage look continued the striking red palette she brought to the carpet. Lisa performed in a maroon bodysuit and shorts, overlaid with a black corset and thigh-high lace-up boots. It’s a look that captures the essence of her Sawadika era, which blends familiar Muay Thai motifs with Lisa’s own cool-girl stage persona.
For her awards acceptance, she donned a full Daniil Antsiferov look from his Fertility Club Fall/Winter 2026/2027 collection. The leather button-up and matching boots were paired with a textured skirt, while puffy white sleeves created wing-like structures around Lisa’s arms.
This article originally appeared on Grazia Singapore.
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