A week has passed since Victoria’s Secret 2025 the world’s largest lingerie fashion show wrapped up its dazzling runway featuring dozens of supermodels in extravagant designs. Yet, the most talked-about part of the event wasn’t the fashion, but the musical performances.
While “living doll” Madison Beer received an overwhelmingly positive reaction, followed by Karol G and Missy Elliott, the night’s biggest controversy surrounded TWICE, the only K-pop group to perform this year.
As the sole K-pop act invited to perform, TWICE was expected to deliver a world-class stage worthy of the event’s prestige. However, the outcome left many viewers disappointed.
The group performed their songs “This Is For” and “Strategy.” Although both tracks are catchy and well-produced, critics argued they didn’t fit the luxurious, high-fashion energy of Victoria’s Secret. The melodies and beats lacked the intensity needed to captivate a global audience.
Still, some fans defended TWICE’s song choices, viewing them as a smart marketing move to promote the group’s latest music on an international stage.
The biggest controversy stemmed from the group’s live vocals, a long-standing weakness since their 2015 debut. Member Tzuyu drew the harshest criticism after her performance was described as shaky, off-pitch, and unstable toward the end of the set.
A clip of her voice cracking during “Strategy” went viral on X (formerly Twitter), generating thousands of reactions. Many commenters argued that her voice still sounded thin and lacked the control needed for high notes that are considered manageable for more seasoned vocalists.
After the show, Tzuyu took to social media to address the criticism and apologize to fans:
“ONCE, I’m so sorry… Before coming to New York, I practiced hard with my vocal coach, but after landing, my throat started feeling strange. I was fine during rehearsals, but when I got on stage, my voice became hoarse and weak. Even after drinking honey tea and resting, it didn’t get better. I’ll make sure to show you a much better performance next time!”
Her sincere message sparked divided reactions online. Some questioned why JYP Entertainment allowed Tzuyu who isn’t the group’s main vocalist to handle challenging lines instead of stronger singers like Sana or Jeongyeon. Others sympathized with her, saying she had worked hard and simply faced an unlucky throat issue.
Several fans also pointed out that Tzuyu has shown noticeable improvement in her singing skills over the years, but this performance was hindered by illness.
A rehearsal video from the Victoria’s Secret stage has since gone viral, showing TWICE practicing alongside the models while coordinating movement and vocals. The recording captured Tzuyu’s voice sounding unsteady and off-pitch even in sections that didn’t require powerful high notes contradicting her claim that she only struggled on stage due to throat problems.
This led some netizens to speculate that her statement was a way to protect her image and the group’s reputation, as off-key singing at a global event like Victoria’s Secret is considered a sensitive issue.
International audiences also compared TWICE’s live vocals to Madison Beer and Karol G, noting the stark difference in vocal technique and stage control.
Amid the backlash, TWICE’s fanbase, ONCE, has called for more compassion. Many reminded critics that Tzuyu is not a main or lead vocalist, and her role on stage prioritizes visuals, choreography, and performance energy.
Fans also emphasized the physical challenge of singing live while executing intricate choreography and interacting with moving models on the runway.
One fan wrote:
“It’s easy to judge when you’re sitting at home, but performing live on a fashion runway while dancing and posing is incredibly difficult. Tzuyu tried her best that deserves respect.”
The controversy highlights the ongoing challenge K-pop artists face when performing live on major Western stages, where global audiences hold different expectations regarding live vocals and authenticity.
Although TWICE’s performance at Victoria’s Secret 2025 sparked criticism, it also underscored their ambition to bring K-pop to an international platform usually reserved for Western pop icons.
As one industry analyst summed up:
“It wasn’t their best live showing, but TWICE took a bold risk by performing live at one of the world’s most-watched events and that courage shouldn’t be overlooked.”
Sources: K14
You must be logged in to post a comment.