The K-pop community erupted in fury after a Billboard journalist sparked massive controversy by questioning BLACKPINK’s Jennie stage presence in a street interview. On August 4, 2025, BLACKPINK’s Jennie’s fans expressed dissatisfaction over a Billboard News street interview, leading to widespread demands for an apology and the eventual deletion of the controversial video.
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What Exactly Happened in the BLACKPINK Billboard Interview?
The controversy began when Billboard journalist Leah La Rosa conducted a street interview asking random people about Jennie’s alleged “lazy” stage presence. She specifically said, “She [Jennie] was always like that for years, maybe just her face, her emotions, her attitude.” This prompted immediate outrage from BLACKPINK fans worldwide.
The video featured deceptively edited clips of Jennie’s performances, amplifying negative narratives without proper context. Behind the scenes, it’s been revealed that the original drama stemmed from an X account notorious for spreading anti-BLACKPINK content — the same account that triggered the trending “Jennie lazy” accusations.
Timeline of the Controversy
| Date | Event | Fan Response |
|---|---|---|
| Early 2025 | Anti-BLACKPINK accounts spread “lazy” allegations | Initial criticism emerges |
| August 4, 2025 | Billboard street interview published | Immediate fan backlash |
| August 4-5, 2025 | #ApologizeToJennie trends globally | Mass fan mobilization |
| August 5, 2025 | Billboard deletes controversial video | Damage control begins |
| Ongoing | Fan demands for official apology | Continued pressure campaign |
The Fan Response: #ApologizeToJennie Movement
BLINKs (BLACKPINK fans) didn’t take this attack lying down. The hashtag #ApologizeToJennie quickly trended worldwide on social media platforms, with fans expressing their disappointment and anger at what they perceived as unprofessional journalism.
Dear @billboard Editorial Team, We want to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding a recent video article published on your platform, attributed to journalist Leah La Rosa, which features a deceptively edited clip of Jennie from BLACKPINK, wrote concerned fans in organized response letters.
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture
This incident highlights several critical issues in K-pop journalism and celebrity coverage:
1. Responsible Journalism Standards
Major publications like Billboard have a responsibility to fact-check and provide balanced coverage, especially when discussing artists’ professional abilities.
2. The Impact of Viral Misinformation
The controversy demonstrates how anti-fan accounts can manufacture narratives that mainstream media then amplifies without proper verification.
3. Cultural Sensitivity in K-pop Coverage
Western media outlets covering K-pop often lack cultural context, leading to misunderstandings and unfair characterizations of artists.
Jennie’s Recent Achievements vs. The Narrative
The timing of this controversy is particularly jarring given Jennie’s recent professional successes:
- Solo Career Milestones: BLACKPINK’s JENNIE has the highest debut on Billboard’s Global Charts with “like JENNIE”
- Brand Partnerships: Major fashion collaborations and endorsements
- Industry Recognition: Continued praise from industry professionals
- Coachella 2025: Being in BLACKPINK comes with haters and critics, but Lisa and Jennie showed the world what they could as soloists at Coachella 2025
Billboard’s Response and Aftermath
Following the massive backlash, Billboard quietly deleted the controversial video without issuing a formal apology. While no official apology has been forthcoming, the deletion suggests acknowledgment of the content’s problematic nature.
The incident has raised questions about editorial oversight at major music publications and the need for more culturally sensitive coverage of international artists.
Industry Impact and Future Implications
This controversy serves as a wake-up call for entertainment journalism, particularly regarding K-pop coverage. It underscores the need for:
- Better fact-checking processes
- Cultural competency training for journalists covering international artists
- Accountability measures for inflammatory or misleading content
- Protection against manufactured controversies from anti-fan accounts
The Power of Fan Advocacy
The swift and organized response from BLINKs demonstrates the growing power of K-pop fandoms in holding media accountable. Their coordinated efforts successfully pressured a major publication to remove problematic content, setting a precedent for future advocacy campaigns.
Moving Forward: Lessons Learned
This incident reminds us that with great platform power comes great responsibility. Major media outlets must ensure their coverage is fair, accurate, and culturally sensitive, especially when discussing artists from different cultural backgrounds.
For Jennie and BLACKPINK, this controversy ultimately showcased the unwavering loyalty of their fanbase and highlighted the importance of standing against unfair media narratives.
Stay updated with the latest K-pop news and industry developments at Techno Sports. For official updates on BLACKPINK and Jennie’s activities, follow Billboard’s K-pop coverage and verified artist social media accounts.
FAQs
Q: Did Billboard officially apologize to Jennie for the controversial interview?
A: As of now, Billboard has not issued an official apology to Jennie. While they deleted the controversial video following fan backlash, no formal statement addressing the incident has been released by the publication.
Q: How did the “Jennie lazy” controversy originally start?
A: The controversy originated from anti-BLACKPINK accounts on social media that spread misleading narratives about Jennie’s stage presence. These manufactured accusations gained traction before being amplified by the Billboard street interview, demonstrating how anti-fan content can influence mainstream media coverage.
