Blackpink's Rosé, one of the most recognizable faces in K-pop and a global ambassador for luxury brands like Tiffany, Rimowa, and Saint Laurent, recently opened up about a surprising desire: anonymity. In a candid interview featured in Ib Kamara's final issue of Dazed, the star revealed her longing for the freedom to simply blend in, a stark contrast to the life she currently leads under constant public scrutiny.
"What does freedom look like to me?" she pondered, "Freedom means being anonymous." This yearning stems from a desire to escape the constant awareness of her actions and how they might be perceived. "Even if I'm not doing anything wrong, I have to think, 'What if this makes people think that I'm doing something wrong?'" she explained, highlighting the relentless "fear of being misunderstood" that accompanies her fame. She misses the simplicity of "not having to be terrified of small things" and the ability to be "nonchalant and chill" without the weight of public perception.
Rosé recounted an experience where she attempted to recreate anonymity by disguising herself as an elderly woman, complete with prosthetic wrinkles and a grey wig. However, the experiment backfired. "It was really, really intense," she admitted. The paranoia of being recognized despite the disguise overshadowed any sense of freedom, leading her to conclude, "I don't think I'll ever do that again."
Despite the failed attempt at physical disguise, Rosé hasn't given up on her quest for moments of normalcy. She expressed a keen interest in acting, viewing it as a potential avenue to "slip out of herself for a moment and become someone else," to experience life without the constant awareness of her celebrity. "I would love to act, because I'll get to feel what it's like to be anonymous," she stated.
This desire for anonymity isn't about rejecting her fame or the opportunities it has afforded her. Instead, it speaks to a deeper human need for privacy and the ability to move through the world without the burden of constant observation. It highlights the challenges faced by those in the public eye, who often sacrifice personal freedom for professional success.
Rosé's reflections on fame and anonymity come at a significant point in her career. Following the release of her successful solo album, "Rosie," which included the hit song "APT" featuring Bruno Mars, she is preparing to rejoin her BLACKPINK bandmates for a highly anticipated world tour. The time spent pursuing individual projects has allowed each member to explore their identities outside the group, bringing fresh inspiration and energy back to BLACKPINK. As Rosé put it, "Each of us has gone out and been inspired and learned so much about ourselves, and now we're coming back to each other with good energy."
While global tours and record-breaking achievements continue to define BLACKPINK's trajectory, Rosé's desire for anonymity serves as a reminder of the personal cost of fame and the universal longing for moments of peace and unburdened freedom. It also underscores her artistic ambitions beyond music, hinting at a potential future foray into acting as a means of exploring different facets of herself and, perhaps, finding a temporary escape from the spotlight.
