BLACKPINK’s Jennie took the Coachella 2025 stage for her first solo performance, but the buzz around her set is a mix of praise and sharp criticism. On April 13, 2025, she performed at the Outdoor Theatre, delivering a high-energy show that had fans and critics talking for days. While some celebrated her star power and bold fashion, others raised questions about her vocals, with lip-syncing allegations stealing the spotlight. Here’s a full breakdown of her performance, the reactions, and what went down in the desert.
Jennie’s Big Moment at Coachella
Jennie stepped onto the Coachella stage with confidence, marking her first solo appearance at the iconic festival. Unlike her BLACKPINK bandmate Lisa, who performed on the Sahara Stage two days earlier, Jennie commanded the Outdoor Theatre from 7:45 PM to 8:35 PM PT. Her setlist packed a punch, featuring 12 tracks from her solo career and new album, Ruby, released on March 7, 2025.
Filter
Mantra
Handlebars
Start A War
Zen
FTS
Damn Right
Love Hangover
Seoul City
ExtraL
The IE (Way Up)
Starlight
Her performance was a visual feast. Jennie rocked a sparkling cowboy-inspired outfit, complete with bold accessories, earning her the nickname “JENCHELLA” across social media. A surprise collaboration with Kali Uchis sent the crowd into a frenzy, and the presence of Rosé, Lisa, and Billie Eilish cheering from the audience added to the electric vibe. Hashtags like #jenchella and #jennieishere trended worldwide, with fans posting clips of her sharp choreography and commanding stage presence.
But not everyone was swept away. While her energy and visuals impressed many, some fans and netizens questioned whether her vocals matched the hype.
The Lip-Syncing Debate Takes Center Stage
The loudest criticism came from allegations that Jennie relied heavily on lip-syncing during her set. On platforms like Reddit and X, users pointed out moments where her vocals seemed inconsistent with a live performance. One Reddit user wrote:
“First time watching Jennie and you could tell when her voice kicked in — and not in a good way. I don’t get the hype. Maybe she’s fun in person, but you can’t tell she’s not singing.”
Another comment was harsher:
“This is egregious. 70% lip sync because she’s out of breath and missing lines in her own songs.”
Some fans noted Jennie’s energy seemed to dip mid-performance, with one user joking:
“Someone give her a Red Bull.”
Others felt her heavy choreography took a toll on her stamina, impacting her ability to sing live. A Reddit post read:
“The start was flat, but she picked it up towards the end. I just wish she didn’t push so much choreography at the expense of her vocals. Sure, she can dance — but man, she looks tired.”
Lip-syncing isn’t uncommon in K-pop, especially for dance-heavy acts, but the criticism hit hard for Jennie. Some netizens called her a “fun dancer but awful singer,” sparking heated debates online.
Fans Rally to Jennie’s Defense
Despite the backlash, Jennie’s loyal supporters, known as BLINKs, flooded social media with praise. They argued that performing solo at Coachella, a massive global stage, is no small feat, especially for an artist transitioning from a group dynamic. On X, fans shared glowing reviews, with one user, @crxmecin, posting:
“OH MY GOD JENNIE?!?!? She was so so so good omg i had literal goosebumbs the live vocals, the dance, the visuals, the rap and the outfit and her omg evrything ate!! it was perfect JENNIE #JENCHELLA #JENCHELLA2025”
Another fan, @onlysbinnie1, wrote:
“nah she is absolutely crazy?? So many dancers, so many new choreos and dance breaks just for coachella, her live singing was really beautiful, her presence is THE BEST i’ve seen in a while (w gaga). Jennie will go even higher than she did before. She is a superstar”
BLINKs also pointed out the challenges of a solo set, with one fan on Reddit stating:
“Going from a group to solo at Coachella is tough. She held her own, and the crowd loved her. The hate is overblown.”
Supporters highlighted her ability to engage the audience, with clips showing Jennie smiling, waving, and hyping up the crowd. Her collaboration with Kali Uchis was a standout moment, blending their styles seamlessly and earning cheers from fans.
Stage Design and Support Steal the Show
Beyond the vocals debate, Jennie’s production was a highlight. The Outdoor Theatre stage featured vibrant visuals, synchronized lighting, and a team of backup dancers who amplified her choreography. Fans praised the set design, with one X user, @jihanoonaa, noting:
“Just few weeks a go saw so many post regarding jennie perf on stage. They were so many complains and then coachella stage go viral again today and she slay hard. She be shuting down all the hates and comment just from one performance. As expected you cant never mess with the”
The presence of Rosé, Lisa, and Billie Eilish in the crowd added a heartwarming touch. Fans loved seeing the BLACKPINK sisterhood shine, with Rosé and Lisa spotted dancing and cheering. Billie Eilish’s support sparked excitement, with clips circulating of her enjoying Jennie’s set.
However, some netizens speculated about tension between Jennie and Lisa, noting that Jennie reportedly skipped Lisa’s performance on April 11, despite attending Lady Gaga’s set later that night. These rumors remain unconfirmed, and fans quickly dismissed them, pointing to the group’s visible support for each other at the festival.
Jennie’s Journey to Coachella Solo Stardom
Jennie’sCoachella 2025 performance came after a busy year. Her first full solo album, Ruby, dropped in March 2025, featuring hits like Mantra and Like Jennie. She kicked off her solo tour, The Ruby Experience, on March 6, with stops planned in Los Angeles, New York, and South Korea. Her appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show to promote the album showed her growing global reach.
Leading up to Coachella, Jennie teased fans with a black-and-white Instagram post captioned “D-3 TILL COACHELLA.” The post included rehearsal clips and a bold question, “Have you ever met Jennie?”—a line from her song Like Jennie. The buzz around her set built for weeks, with fans predicting a “historic” performance.
While Jennie has performed at Coachella before with BLACKPINK in 2019 and as a headliner in 2023, going solo was a new challenge. Her setlist leaned heavily on her solo work, showcasing her evolution as an artist. Tracks like Starlight and Love Hangover highlighted her versatility, blending pop, hip-hop, and emotional ballads.
What the Performance Means for Jennie
Jennie’sCoachella 2025 set, love it or not, made waves. It solidified her as a solo star capable of drawing massive crowds, but it also sparked tough conversations about live vocals in K-pop. Critics argued she leaned too heavily on pre-recorded tracks, while fans insisted her stage presence and production carried the show.
The mixed reactions haven’t slowed her momentum. Jennie remains one of Coachella’s most talked-about acts, with her performance clips racking up millions of views. Her ability to trend globally, even amid controversy, proves her star power. As BLACKPINK gears up for a 2025 world tour and a new group album in June, Jennie’s solo journey is just heating up.
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