In the fast-paced world of pop music, where a single stage outfit can create global trends, the leotard has become a defining symbol of modern performance fashion.
From MadonnaFrom Jean Paul Gaultier’s iconic corset in the ’90s to Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Ariana Grande, the skintight costume has evolved from a stage staple to a symbol of female power, confidence and empowerment.
The appeal is simple: it is elegant, flexible and flattering, allowing artists to perform dynamic choreography accentuating strength and sensuality. What started as a provocative trend has now become an industry norm.
Between 2023 and 2025, bodysuits have reached their peak on global stages. Beyoncé dazzled in custom designs from Mugler and Loewe, Taylor Swift conquered her world tour in crystal-encrusted gowns, and Dua Lipa redefined stage elegance with bold cutouts.
These outfits are often celebrated as the perfect balance between sensuality and glamorous but never vulgar sophistication. Yet, when BLACKPINKLisa joined the trend, but the reaction was much less forgiving.
During her Deadline tour concert in Toronto, Lisa wore a vibrant orange bodysuit with a low-cut silhouette. Under the bright stage lights, the model revealed much of her lower body, leading many netizens to call the outfit “too revealing” and “more like a swimsuit than stage attire.”
Previously, her red corset outfit in the US and daring “no pants” look at the 2025 Met Gala had already sparked divided opinions. While Western audiences saw confidence and bold artistry, many Asian fans criticized the look as overly provocative.
Fashion analysts say Lisa’s situation reflects a cultural divide rather than a fashion faux pas. “What is empowering in the West may be uncomfortable in the East” one stylist noted. “The question is not what she wears, but how the public perceives female self-expression.”
Experts point out that sensuality in performance fashion is not inherently problematic: it is the context and cultural background that shapes the reaction. Western pop icons have long been applauded for pushing boundaries, while Asian artists often face harsher scrutiny for similar choices.
As a global ambassador for numerous luxury brands and one of the most influential fashion icons of her generation, Lisa has built a powerful image that fuses music, luxury and individuality. However, some critics argue that her increasingly revealing stage attire shifts the focus away from artistry and towards shock value, especially given her large fan base of younger admirers.
Lisa did not directly address the criticism. However, his continued embrace of bold projects seems to speak volumes as a quiet declaration of artistic freedom and self-expression.
But as her bold fashion statements continue to make headlines, they also raise larger questions: Where is the line between artistic expression and overexposure? And does an artist still need to demonstrate her power by how much she dares to reveal?
Sources: Saostar
