For the first time, detailed backstage stories of BLACKPINK’s Lisa and her striptease performances at the iconic Crazy Horse Paris have been publicly revealed, igniting renewed global fascination — and controversy.
Creative director Andrée Deissenberg appeared on TheBoldWay podcast to discuss Lisa’s participation in the provocative cabaret two years ago. According to Deissenberg, Lisa had long been a frequent audience member of Crazy Horse, expressing deep interest in its artful strip performances. What started as personal admiration soon blossomed into a professional collaboration. After direct talks between both teams, Lisa committed to five full-fledged performances—not just a cameo, but as a true burlesque dancer.
Lisa performed from September 28 to 30, 2023, across five sold-out shows—each allowing only 250 guests. She took on multiple acts from the cabaret’s traditional lineup, including the iconic solo “But I Am a Good Girl“. Her participation marked the first time a top-tier K-pop idol took the Crazy Horse stage in such a bold, revealing way. It sent shockwaves through both the entertainment world and the K-pop fandom.
Deissenberg revealed that tickets to watch Lisa’s striptease were priced at €250, with an audience ranging from curious young fans to the ultra-wealthy who flew in by private jet. Though the event wasn’t heavily promoted, a single Instagram Story from Lisa was enough to cause global media frenzy. All five shows sold out in just 15 seconds. Following Lisa’s appearance, Crazy Horse saw a 5% rise in international visitors—especially from Asia—demonstrating her undeniable star power.
Deissenberg went on to describe Lisa as “a real showgirl”, saying, “I’ve only met three performers with that level of presence and discipline—Lisa, Beyoncé and Michael Jackson. I had the chance to witness all three at work, and it’s just a different league. Lisa is a performance machine who exceeds expectations.”
To prepare for the stage, Lisa trained for nine hours a day across three days for three separate routines—what would typically take professional dancers a full week for just one act. She didn’t just memorize the moves but adjusted and personalized them. Her costumes were also customized to fit her body and performance style.
While Deissenberg confirmed Lisa was compensated for her shows, she emphasized the symbolic value over financial gain: “Lisa makes far more money from other ventures. This was about artistic expression.”
The revelations reignited polarizing discourse online. For many, Lisa’s Crazy Horse performance remains a career-defining—and divisive—moment. As BLACKPINK kicks off their new “DEADLINE” tour, Lisa continues to dominate headlines, with fans and critics alike dissecting her daring stage choices and body-baring outfits.
Western audiences largely embraced her transformation, viewing it as a bold redefinition of the K-pop image. However, in Asia—particularly China and South Korea—the response has been starkly different. A sizable portion of fans turned their backs on Lisa, as stripping on stage remains taboo in many Asian societies. In China, major brands dropped her, fan hubs shut down, and Lisa even faced periods of de facto “blacklisting”. Celebrities like Angelababy and Jenny Zhang, who attended her Crazy Horse show, were also temporarily banned from broadcasts.
In Korea, Lisa continues to face deep-rooted prejudice. Her name and Crazy Horse are often brought up by critics who view the act as incompatible with the traditional K-pop idol persona. For some, Crazy Horse wasn’t just a stage—it was a controversial milestone that reshaped Lisa’s solo career and became a source of ongoing friction in Asia.
Ultimately, Lisa’s Crazy Horse experience raises a provocative question: How far must a global idol go to break boundaries—and at what cost?
Sources: Netizenbuzz