LISA wasn't at the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, didn't walk the runway and didn't perform a single song. So why was the BLACKPINK superstar still part of the conversation? Because apparently, you don't need a pair of wings to fly straight to the top of the internet.
The Thai rapper and singer ranked as the No. 1 most-mentioned solo musical act at this year's show, despite not being part of the entertainment lineup. While other artists got their moment under the lights, LISA managed to steal some of the online spotlight without even showing up.
LISA was the #1 MOST-mentioned Solo Musical Act at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, despite not even performing this year. https://t.co/kDQuCD265p
— Pop Core (@TheePopCore) October 20, 2026
Naturally, fans had something to say about it. The reaction can be summed up in one gloriously confident declaration: 'She's always the main event.' And honestly, that's the real flex for someone who wasn't even on the guest list.
LISA Didn't Attend, But the Internet Had Other Plans
In an era when celebrity buzz can be measured in likes, reposts and endless fan edits, LISA's latest distinction is the kind of plot twist pop culture loves. The show had its own performers, models and headline-making moments, but the BLACKPINK star still came out on top among solo musical acts in mentions.
No runway walk? Check. No live performance? Also check. Still topping the conversation? Absolutely.
Of course, being the most-mentioned act doesn't automatically mean being the most popular performer or receiving the most positive reactions. But ranking first despite not performing is still a pretty impressive feat, especially at an event designed to put its musical guests and models front and centre.
LISA's name carries serious weight in both music and fashion. As a BLACKPINK member and successful solo artist, she's built a global following that pays attention to everything from her dance moves to her latest designer look. When her name enters the conversation, her fans rarely sit quietly in the corner.
'She's Always the Main Event'
The fan sentiment practically writes its own headline: LISA can miss the show and still make it about LISA. Somewhere, the phrase 'main character energy' is taking a bow.
@TheePopCore She's always the main event even when not attending 🔥
— who (@idkjkilvliz) October 20, 2026
The singer made her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show debut in 2024, when the brand brought back its runway extravaganza after a six-year hiatus. She wasn't there simply to pose for photographers or sit pretty in the front row. She was one of the performers, bringing her signature choreography and stage presence to a production where fashion and music share equal billing.
@TheePopCore Those performances of Rockstar and Moonlit Floor from two years ago are pretty hard to beat.
— Aender Reis (@AenderReis) October 21, 2026
That appearance gave fans a memorable crossover between LISA's pop-star persona and Victoria's Secret's glamorous runway world. Two years later, the association clearly remains relevant enough to fuel fresh conversation.
@TheePopCore @mikasafavx You will always be iconic😭 @VictoriasSecret you should invite her next time
— 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 (@lalalalissssaa) October 20, 2026
LISA also knows how to make a visual statement. Between her performance style, fashion credentials and ability to command a stage, she fits comfortably into the kind of spectacle that thrives on larger-than-life personalities.
Her fans, meanwhile, have turned the latest ranking into another opportunity to celebrate their favourite star. For them, the fact that she wasn't even there makes the achievement all the sweeter. Imagine winning the conversation without having to worry about your outfit, hair or call time. Iconic behaviour, really.
Victoria's Secret Had Plenty of Stars
The 2026 show had no shortage of talent. Its musical lineup included Tate McRae, Megan Thee Stallion, Megan Moroney and KATSEYE, while the runway delivered the glamour, elaborate looks and celebrity moments expected from the annual spectacle.
With that much star power in one place, there was plenty for viewers to discuss. Yet LISA's ranking offered a reminder that an event's online life doesn't always follow its official running order.
The artists who perform get the immediate spotlight, but social media has a habit of creating its own afterparty. Fans revisit past performances, compare lineups and bring their favourites into conversations that have very little to do with who actually walked through the venue doors.
LISA's ranking is a particularly fun example. She wasn't competing for a runway moment this year, yet she topped the mentions among solo musical acts. That's the sort of headline that practically begs for a fan edit set to a dramatic beat drop.
Still, the distinction is about mentions, not a definitive verdict on who delivered the show's best performance. The 2026 performers had their own moments to own, and LISA's ranking doesn't take that away from them. It simply shows that online attention can have a life of its own and that a previous appearance can keep an artist in the conversation long after the final song.
Will LISA Return to the Victoria's Secret Runway?
After making such a memorable impression in 2024, could LISA make another appearance at a future Victoria's Secret Fashion Show? Fans may already be mentally designing the outfit, picking the opening track and planning the fancams.
For now, though, there's no confirmed announcement that she'll return. Until one arrives, a comeback remains firmly in the realm of wishful thinking, albeit wishful thinking with an enthusiastic fanbase behind it.
In the meantime, her latest achievement has given fans another reason to celebrate. Victoria's Secret brought the wings, the models and the musical performances, but LISA still managed to claim the title without stepping onstage.
Some stars need a spotlight. Others apparently just need an internet connection. And if the fans are right, LISA doesn't have to attend the main event to become one.
