While some have only just recently been introduced to Lalisa Manoban, a.k.a. Lalisa Manobal, thanks to her role as Mook in The White Lotus, many know her simply as Lisa, the singer, dancer and rapper who has been shining as part of the K-pop girl group Blackpink since 2016.
The 27-year-old Thai multi-talent, who has found additional success as a solo artist as well, has been putting in the work since she was a kid, and with over 100 million Instagram followers and a fan base that surpasses loyal, it’s safe to say that Lisa is a force to be reckoned with. Here, learn all about her foray into the television sphere and her exciting role in season three of The White Lotus.
Lisa’s acting debut in ‘The White Lotus’
While she’s performed across the globe in front of audiences of thousands, as well as starred in dozens of music videos, stepping out into the world of The White Lotus was still an adjustment—but based on her performance so far in the two episodes that have aired, it’s safe to say that it didn’t take long for her to find her footing.
In the HBO hit series by creator Mike White, Lisa plays the part of Mook, an employee working at Thailand’s White Lotus Hotel. Serving as one of the health mentors at the resort, she is up close and personal with the guests enjoying their stay. While we’ve seen her assisting Rick and Chelsea, played by Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood, we’re excited to see what else is in store for her character. In episode two, Gaitok, a security guard at the resort played by Tayme Thapthimthong, revealed his feelings for her.
Though Thapthimthong has more experience in the film and television world than Lisa, she lent him a hand during filming, proving to be an invaluable piece of the White Lotus puzzle. His character of Gaitok is meant to be a local, but being that Thai is his second language, Lisa would often step in to lend a hand and assist in rephrasing his wording to sound more natural. “I started doing the lines in how I normally speak Thai, and they’re like, ‘Lisa, can you help?’,” he recalled to Variety.
Lisa’s co-stars shocked by her ‘Beyonce’ level of fame
Thapthimthong isn’t the only one of Lisa’s co-stars who has been thrilled to work alongside her, as Aimee Lou Wood gushed to Elle about how down-to-earth the popstar was. “If I’m really honest, I didn’t understand Lisa’s level of fame. I wasn’t getting it, because she was so down-to-earth and so chill,” she said. “And then I’d go to the airport and we’d be flying to a different part of Thailand and there’d just be posters of Lisa everywhere. And I’m like, ‘Guys, that’s Lisa!’ And people would be like, ‘Yes, Aimee. She’s basically like Beyoncé.’”
Similarly, Parker Posey, who plays the Ratliff matriarch, didn’t quite grasp the magnitude of Lisa’s fame either before getting to know her. “I did not know [her], but the butlers at the Four Seasons were gobsmacked. They were like, ‘If I could just see Lisa,’” Posey said. “She’s huge in Thailand. She’s such a beauty,” she continued.
While her co-stars soon came to recognize her talent and influence, Lisa remained ever-so-humble throughout the process. “I feel so honored to be part of The White Lotus, and also this season is based in Thailand—in my home country. So, I’m just so—I don’t know what to say. Grateful—so proud to be Thai,” she shared with Forbes.
What’s next for Lisa? A new album and Blackpink world tour
Aside from The White Lotus, Lisa has quite a bit on the horizon in the coming months. Tomorrow, February 28, her new solo album, Alter Ego, will hit the airwaves, and kicking off in July, Blackpink will embark on its world tour. Plus, don’t miss what’s next for her in this season of The White Lotus, with new episodes premiering Sunday nights on HBO and Max at 9 p.m. ET, with seasons 1-3 currently streaming!
