BLACKPINK‘s Lisa shattered numerous K-pop stereotypes with her debut performance at the legendary Parisian cabaret Crazy Horse on September 28. Although Lisa is a newcomer to this iconic venue, she follows in the footsteps of superstars like Beyoncé, Dita von Teese, Pamela Anderson, and Rihanna.
About the Crazy Horse cabaret
With its limited 1,000 seats, the theater offers an intimate and exclusive ambiance. But the allure of the show drew over 50,000 fans vying for tickets. Nestled beside luxury fashion giants Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent, it’s located at 12 Avenue George V, Paris, offering views of landmarks like the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower. Contrary to popular belief, the dress code for the Crazy Horse show isn’t strictly formal. While evening gowns are a common sight, many don smart casual attire.
Tickets for the show start at 115 EUR (approximately 121 USD). Add-ons like a bottle of champagne can increase the bill by 20 EUR (21 USD). A more private experience is priced at 295 EUR (313 USD), with only a limited number of these exclusive tickets available.
The venue is the brainchild of artist Alain Bernardin, who founded Crazy Horse in 1951. He envisioned transforming the traditional Parisian cabaret shows, like those at Moulin Rouge, into a more refined art form. Today, Crazy Horse is a testament to his vision, offering theatrical entertainment that includes singing, dancing, and even magic acts, all performed by semi-nude female dancers.
Even so, their performances are executed in a way that avoids objectification. As Paris Tickets & Tours puts it, “The main element that separates Crazy Horse from other shows is its dedication to celebrating the female form in all its splendor and grace. The show’s tasteful nudity combined with its breathtaking choreography emphasizes the sensuality of the performers without objectifying them. Their confidence, grace, and impeccable timing create a spectacle that leaves audiences in awe.”
Lisa exuded sophistication
Ahead of her performance, the “Money” singer teased fans with posts about her shows at Crazy Horse on her official Instagram. This culminated in a grand reveal on September 27. Her debut caused a surge in “Crazy Horse” searches on Google the following morning, a testament to her global influence.
Lisa‘s debut was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to her exceptional talent and captivating presence. Her entrance was marked by a playful peek from behind the curtain, her infectious smile and wink setting the tone for the evening. She then gracefully shared the stage with the Crazy Horse dancers, lip-syncing to French tunes. Her ensemble, a blue-green bob wig complemented by a tweed jacket and shorts, encapsulated her confident yet playful demeanor. One of the highlights was a cheeky moment where she got on all fours, engaging the audience with her charm. This move was reprised in one of her subsequent solo performances.
Her performance of “But I’m a Good Girl” was a sensuality, elegance, and confidence masterclass. The stage, adorned with beaded blinds, served as the perfect backdrop for Lisa’s entrances and exits, keeping the audience on their toes. This performance, lasting about three minutes, left an indelible mark on the audience.
“Crisis? What Crisis?” showcased Lisa‘s versatility. Starting off in a white shirt, black dress, tie, and glasses, she gradually transitioned through the act, exuding sophistication at every turn. Her deliberate movements and expressions held the audience’s attention, a testament to her unmatched charisma and skill. However, the venue prohibited capturing these moments on camera. Many BLINKs shared stories of security personnel confiscating phones, but they returned them after the 90-minute show.
Familiar faces
Lisa had familiar faces in the audience. BLACKPINK members Jisoo and Rosé were present, cheering on their teammate. Representing Dior and Yves Saint Laurent respectively at the Paris Fashion Week, both made time to support Lisa. They entered the venue through the VIP entrance, bearing flowers. Their support was evident as they cheered for Lisa throughout the performance.
Among the attendees was Frédéric Arnault, CEO of Tag Heuer and Lisa‘s rumored boyfriend. He was accompanied by his family, including his father Bernard Arnault, founder and CEO of LVMH, his mother Hélène Mercier Arnault, a renowned pianist, and his younger brother Jean Arnault, director of watches at Louis Vuitton. Other notable attendees included Thai actress and model Thanaerng, Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalia, model Kaia Gerber, and actor Austin Butler.
In a surprising turn of events, Lisa traveled to Paris without renewing her contract with YG Entertainment. Fans spotted her at Seoul’s Incheon airport on September 25, 2023, without her usual entourage of managers and bodyguards, fueling speculations about her future with the agency.
Lisa will perform her final Crazy Horse show on September 30. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Contrary to popular belief, Lisa didn’t perform nude. Source: Instagram/@crazyhorseparis_ official and @lalalalisa_m.