In a poignant and emotionally charged speech at the 2023 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) "Leaders' Week" in San Francisco, BLACKPINK Rosé bared her soul, shedding light on her personal struggles with mental health.
The K-pop sensation was invited to speak on November 17 as part of the APEC Mental Health Talk, a segment championed by US First Lady Jill Biden, who lauded Rosé as a woman of "incredible talent and courage" using her influence for positive change.
BLACKPINK Rosé Discusses Mental Health, Makes Candid Confession During Speech
During her speech, Rosé candidly discussed the pervasive feelings of inadequacy that have haunted her despite global success. The singer emphasized that mental health challenges can afflict anyone, irrespective of external appearances.
Despite her international fame and millions of devoted fans, Rosé admitted to grappling with loneliness, fueled by the daily barrage of hate comments she faces.
"I do feel like some of the things I do are just never enough, and no matter how hard I work on something, there's always going to be somebody who has their own opinion or who enjoys taking control of the narrative. And so that comes to me as a sense of loneliness."
Drawing inspiration from her debut song, "On The Ground," Rosé underscored the importance of grounding one's self-worth. She conveyed a powerful message that societal judgments should not dictate one's value, emphasizing the need to stay connected to personal roots.
"No matter what the world may otherwise tell us, our self-worth is not determined by where we are now but is to be determined by what keeps us close to the ground, which is a message that a very special song of mine holds and is what I try to remind myself every day."
Advocating for open dialogue about mental health, Rosé stressed the importance of normalizing conversations around emotional well-being. She expressed that communication is key and lamented the societal reluctance to openly discuss struggles.
"I don't think it's normalized too much or enough that we speak about how we feel from time to time and that it's normal to not always be okay...communication is key,"
"It is my sincere hope that my music can be a source of inspiration and comfort to my listeners. I will continue to do my best to contribute to the collective well-being of our global community."
Rosé urged for a more accepting environment, where people can honestly express their feelings without fear of judgment.
In her closing remarks, Rosé articulated her ongoing commitment to being an artist who provides inspiration and comfort. She expressed a sincere hope that her music can contribute to the collective well-being of the global community.
Her plea for open dialogue on mental health echoed a broader call for societal change, urging a shift toward an environment where honesty and vulnerability are embraced.
As she closed her address, Rosé made a heartfelt commitment to being an artist who not only entertains but also serves as a source of inspiration and comfort. In doing so, she encapsulated the transformative potential of music and the arts in contributing to the collective well-being of our global community.
Watch Rosé's full speech here!
Follow and subscribe to KpopStarz for more news.
KpopStarz own this article.
Cassidy Jones wrote this.