BLACKPINK's Rosé intensified global speculation about a long-anticipated solo tour after winning Variety's Global Hitmaker of the Year, becoming the first K-pop female solo artist to receive the honor from a major U.S. media outlet. Her recognition comes as her debut full-length album rosie and her chart-dominating collaboration APT. with Bruno Mars continue to reshape her artistic identity and propel her into Grammy contention. The track earned three nominations for 2026-Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance-cementing Rosé's place among the year's most influential pop figures.
Accepting the award at Variety's Hitmakers ceremony, Rosé thanked her collaborators, including Mars and her team at The Black Label, describing the year as "explosive," transformative and creatively defining. The momentum has bolstered industry expectations that she is preparing a global solo tour, something she acknowledged publicly during a fan conversation at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles.
Rosé told the audience she is "waiting for the perfect moment," saying she intends to tour only when she feels she has "everything to give." Her comments sparked immediate online speculation, with fans suggesting a full announcement could arrive as early as 2026, following BLACKPINK's recently concluded Deadline World Tour. Analysts note that a solo tour timed with her Grammy campaign and rising global profile could further expand her influence beyond the group's core audience.
The foundation for Rosé's solo breakthrough lies in rosie, the December 2024 album that marked a creative departure from BLACKPINK's high-energy production. The GRAMMYs called it "an introspective masterpiece," praising its stripped-back sound and emotional candor. Across 12 tracks, Rosé wrote and shaped the album's creative direction, delivering a collection that blends vulnerability with polished pop, including the piano-driven call it the end and the bold, rhythmic energy of APT. featuring Bruno Mars. The album's lyrical focus on heartbreak, loneliness, and self-growth cemented her transition into a more personal, self-directed era.
Her solo presence has also expanded on major stages. During BLACKPINK's Deadline World Tour, her performances of On The Ground, Gone, APT., and Toxic Till The End frequently went viral for their emotive execution. Her Spotlight: Rosé event at the GRAMMY Museum offered fans rare insight into her songwriting process and artistic evolution through live performances and a moderated conversation.
Fans are now looking for clarity on potential tour dates, venues, and global destinations. Industry observers say Rosé's trajectory-bolstered by historic award recognition, Grammy nominations, and a successful reinvention through rosie-positions her for one of the most significant solo debuts in K-pop history.
With expectations accelerating, Rosé's remarks about touring "soon" have become a central point of anticipation for Blinks and the broader pop community. Her 2025 milestones have already reshaped industry perceptions, and 2026 may be the year she steps onto her first solo world stage, signaling a new chapter in her global ascent.
