BLACKPINK’s Lisa has a refreshingly human origin story that feels straight out of a coming-of-age movie. Born Pranpriya Manobal on March 27, 1997, in Buriram, Thailand, the future global icon legally changed her name to Lalisa Manobal at just 13 years old meaning “one who is praised” in Thai after a pivotal visit to a fortune teller with her mom.
Speaking candidly in a recent Vanity Fair cover story, Lisa laughed about Thai culture’s casual embrace of fortune tellers. “I mean, I don’t know about the culture here, but in Thailand, it’s fun to go see a fortune teller,” she shared. This wasn’t some whimsical detour. It came right after her audition for YG Entertainment.
The teller suggested a more auspicious name for brighter prospects. Lisa’s response? “You know what? I’ll do anything.” Shortly after, the callback arrived, and she packed her bags for Seoul’s intense trainee life.
That leap of faith paid off in ways no one could have predicted. As the youngest member and main dancer of BLACKPINK, Lisa helped catapult the group to historic heights since their 2016 debut think billions of YouTube views, Coachella headlining, and chart-topping collabs like “Ice Cream” with Selena Gomez. Her solo journey has been equally dazzling: the 2025 album Alter Ego, a groundbreaking Las Vegas residency starting this November, acting roles in The White Lotus Season 3, and upcoming projects like the Netflix film Tygo.
A childhood spark that never dimmed. Lisa has often recalled loving the spotlight early on. From dance lessons in kindergarten to performing without a hint of shyness, her family nurtured that fire. Experts in cultural studies note how such name changes in Thai tradition blend spirituality with practicality many families consult astrologers or mediums for life decisions, viewing them as tools for harmony rather than superstition. “It’s about aligning energy,” one Bangkok-based cultural anthropologist told me in a recent conversation. “Lisa’s story resonates because it shows vulnerability and bold action meeting at the right moment.”
As a fan who grew up watching her evolution, it’s inspiring to see how one teenager’s willingness to embrace change fueled a career that broke barriers for Thai and Southeast Asian artists worldwide. In an industry obsessed with perfection, Lisa’s authenticity rooted in family, faith, and fearless hustle reminds us that destiny often starts with a simple, courageous “yes.”
What’s next for the woman who turned a fortune teller’s whisper into a roar? If history is any guide, the best is yet to come
Source: People.com