She walked onto the Golden Globes red carpet a few days ago, and honestly, the internet just stopped. Dark chocolate hair. A sheer Jacquemus gown. 791,000 mentions on social media in a single night. People are calling her the queen of the 2026 awards season, and it’s not just because she can dance.
When we talk about lisa the beauty queen, we aren't talking about a plastic crown or a sash from a small-town pageant. We are talking about Lalisa Manobal, the woman who basically reinvented what it means to be a global icon in the mid-2020s. From her roots in Buriram to the high-stakes world of HBO's The White Lotus, her journey feels like a fever dream that just keeps getting better.
The Miss Universe Rumor That Almost Happened
Early in 2025, the pageant world went into a complete meltdown. The rumors were everywhere: Lisa was going to perform at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand. It made perfect sense. The pageant was in her home country, and the Miss Universe Organization, now under Nawat Itsaragrisil, was desperate for that star power.
But then, the news dropped. She said no.
Her team cited scheduling conflicts, and frankly, looking at her 2025-2026 calendar, it’s a wonder she has time to sleep. Between filming her acting debut and launching her first full-length studio album Alter Ego, a pageant performance was just one plate too many to spin. Some fans were crushed, but most realized that Lisa doesn't need a pageant stage—she has the whole world as her runway.
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Why "Beauty Queen" is a Mindset, Not a Title
You’ve probably seen the old Simpsons episode titled "Lisa the Beauty Queen." In it, Lisa Simpson enters a pageant to boost her self-esteem. It’s a classic, but today, that title has been hijacked by the BLACKPINK star’s fan base. For Lilies, she’s the "Beauty Queen" because of her impact on the fashion industry, not because she won a regional contest in Springfield.
- The Louis Vuitton Pivot: Remember when everyone associated her only with Celine? In 2024, she shifted to Louis Vuitton, and the fashion world shifted with her.
- The Bulgari Connection: She isn't just a face; she’s a global ambassador who stands alongside legends like Anne Hathaway.
- The Met Gala 2026: Being named to the Host Committee for the 2026 Met Gala basically cemented her status as fashion royalty.
The "Alter Ego" Era and the 2026 Renaissance
Let’s talk about the music. Alter Ego dropped in early 2025, and it was... polarizing. Honestly, some critics on Reddit were harsh. They said it was too "Westernized" or lacked "vulnerability." But if you look at the numbers, the fans didn't care. The collaborations with Rosalía and Megan Thee Stallion were everywhere.
By the time the 2026 Golden Globes rolled around this January, Lisa wasn't just a pop star anymore. She was an actor. The White Lotus Season 3 gave her a platform to show something beyond the "Rockstar" persona. She’s playing a character that feels grounded, which is a wild contrast to the woman who opened the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on a motorcycle.
A Quick History of "Lisa" Pageant Winners
To be factually clear, if you search for a literal lisa the beauty queen, you might be looking for these real-life titleholders:
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- Lisa Hanna: The legendary Miss World 1993 from Jamaica who became a powerful politician.
- Lisa Song Sutton: Miss Nevada United States 2014, who is now a massive entrepreneur and real estate mogul.
- Lisa Tse: Miss Hong Kong 2020, a nurse-turned-actress who won over the public with her Scottish-Cantonese heritage.
But in the current 2026 zeitgeist? The title belongs to Manobal.
What People Get Wrong About Her Success
There's this idea that Lisa's career post-YG has been a smooth ride. It hasn't. She took a massive risk by launching LLOUD. She had to navigate the "contract era" where everyone was guessing if BLACKPINK would ever tour again (spoiler: the 2025 summer tour happened, and it was chaotic in the best way).
She’s faced criticism for her vocals and for "chasing the American market." Yet, she keeps showing up at the Oscars, the Emmys, and now the Golden Globes. She is the first K-pop artist to perform at the Academy Awards. That’s not luck. That’s a level of grit that most "beauty queens" never have to tap into.
Real Talk: The 2026 Look
The brunette hair she debuted this month is a vibe. It’s "moody," as Vogue Philippines called it. It’s a departure from the bleached blonde and "cherry red" phases of 2024. It signals a move toward a more "serious" Hollywood presence.
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How to Follow the "Lisa" Blueprint
If you're looking at Lisa as an inspiration for your own brand or style, there are a few actionable takeaways that actually work in the real world.
First, diversify your skill set before you need to. Lisa didn't wait for her music career to slow down before she started acting or investing in her own management company. Second, own your heritage. Even at the highest levels of Hollywood, she still finds ways to reference Thailand, whether it’s through her "lotus flower" Louis Vuitton outfit or her filming locations.
Lastly, don't be afraid to say no. Turning down Miss Universe was a power move. It showed that she knows her value and won't just show up for the sake of a headline if it doesn't align with her long-term vision.
Keep an eye on the 2026 Met Gala in May. With Lisa on the host committee, expect something that completely shatters the "pretty girl" trope. She’s not just a beauty queen; she’s the one drawing the map.
To stay ahead of her next moves, you should track the official LLOUD social channels for tour updates and keep an eye on the HBO Max release schedule for her behind-the-scenes documentary.