LISA Pays Tribute to Thailand With High-Octane ‘SaWaDiKa’ Performance at VMAs 2026

LISA had quite the night Sunday (Sept. 27) at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards!

Shortly after taking home the evening’s first award — best pop for the Kentaro Sakaguchi-starring “Dream” — LISA rocked the VMAs stage with an electrifying rendition of her latest single, “SaWaDiKa,” following a glowing introduction from fellow global pop sensation Tyla.

Decked out in a sporty, dark red leotard, a high ponytail and black knee-high boots, LISA — now a four-time VMA winner — kicked off her explosive “SaWaDiKa” performance with an army of high-energy dancers and red-lit visuals that nodded to both the track’s viral music video and Bangkok’s skyline.

By the second verse, LISA was spitting her verses while literally doing doughnuts in a life-sized tuk-tuk. But she didn’t stay seated for long! As if she wasn’t already delivering consistent choreography from the top of her set, LISA closed her “SaWaDiKa” awards show live debut with a rollicking dance break featuring crazy lifts, impressive partner work and tons of her trademark sass and attitude. With one trophy already under her belt for the night, LISA looked particularly triumphant as she struck a final pose atop the tuk-tuk in one final nod to her home country of Thailand.

Shortly after Madonna opened the show with a dazzling Confessions II medley starring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, Seth Rogen and sombr, LISA received the best pop Moon Person from Oscar-nominated actress and singer Teyana Taylor. The emotional pop powerhouse beat out stiff competition, including Ariana Grande (“Hate That I Made You Love Me”), Olivia Rodrigo (“Drop Dead”) and Taylor Swift (“The Fate of Ophelia”).

Earlier in September, “SaWaDiKa” debuted at No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking LISA’s highest charting unaccompanied single yet. The Thom Bridges and Ojivolta-produced track also hit No. 7 on Digital Song Sales, adding a fourth top 10 for LISA on that ranking.

“SaWaDiKa” will appear on LISA’s forthcoming six-track Press Play EP, which is set to arrive Oct. 23 via Lloud and RCA Records.