Following her solo performance at Coachella 2025, BLACKPINK member Jennie sparked widespread controversy on social media, with opinions divided between admiration and sharp criticism, especially regarding her live vocal performance.
A historic performance… but a controversial one
In their third appearance at the renowned festival, Jennie and her bandmate Lisa performed as solo artists, a historic achievement for any K-pop star. Jennie performed a set of 13 songs from her new album, RUBY, on the Outdoor Theater stage, garnering massive interaction across music forums.
RUBY’s album leaps forward… but the live performance raises doubts
Jennie’s performance at Coachella came immediately after the release of her debut album, providing her with a golden opportunity to promote herself. However, some noted a lack of vocal performance during the show, particularly on “Filter” and “Mantra,” where she sounded exhausted and abandoned many of the vocals in favor of dancing and movement.
Accusations of Backtracking… and “Lazy” Singing in Coachella 2025
Thousands of negative comments flooded social media platforms, accusing Jennie of over-relying on backtracking, and even of “singing lip service,” a highly sensitive topic in the Western world. Amid these criticisms, some described Jennie as “easy prey” for an unforgiving audience.
Double Standards Against Jennie?
Jennie has been subject to criticism since her debut with BLACKPINK, with some believing her widespread fame has made her vulnerable to exaggerated expectations. Her fans believe she is held to a double standard, compared to other artists who use backtracking without controversy, such as Charli XCX, who has hosted major stars like Billie Eilish and Lorde and has not faced similar criticism.
Western Audiences Praise… Asian Audiences Attack?
In a popular post on Threads, a fan defended Jennie’s performance, saying that the audience in America praised her performance, while the Vietnamese and Asian audiences only focused on specific moments and criticized them, reflecting an unfair bias.
Upcoming Performance: A Chance to Regain Confidence
Despite her brilliant moments in her performance, Jennie didn’t appear at her best physically, given her being the least fit of the BLACKPINK members. However, many believe she has an ambitious spirit and will use this experience to improve her performance. Her upcoming performance at Coachella on April 21st will be her golden opportunity to regain the audience’s trust.
Jennie’s Coachella performance was generally good, but it didn’t live up to everyone’s expectations. While some fans view her as “lazy” and dependent on props, others believe the standards she’s held to are unfair compared to others. The coming days will reveal the evolution of her performance and her practical response to these criticisms.
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