As one of the most recognisable faces in K-pop and a member of global powerhouse BLACKPINK, ROSÉ has long felt pressure to keep her romantic life completely out of the public eye. Fame, she admits, has made even the most personal parts of her life feel like fair game for scrutiny — something she’s worked hard to protect herself from.
That’s why fans were surprised when An Emotional ROSÉ Opens Up About Being Single and Past ‘Toxic’ Relationships during a candid appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, released Wednesday (Jan. 28). While chatting with host Alex Cooper, the singer shared rare insights into her current relationship status and past experiences, even though she noticeably tensed when asked directly if she’s seeing someone.
Laughing at her own transparency, the Grammy nominee confessed that she isn’t great at hiding the truth. “If I say no, you can tell it’s a lie,” she joked, before honestly admitting, “I am looking for love.”
The conversation soon turned emotional as ROSÉ explained why relationship questions have always made her uncomfortable. Despite never publicly confirming a romance, she said the thought of headlines, commentary, and online speculation instantly overwhelms her. Rather than a simple yes-or-no answer, she feels those questions often come with an unspoken weight. “Is this going to define who I am?” she reflected. “How sad is that?”
Fighting back tears, ROSÉ reminded listeners that fame doesn’t make her any less human. “Just because I’m from a K-pop group doesn’t mean I’m a different type of human being,” she said, visibly emotional.
Although she hopes for a future where she can be open about her love life, for now, she’s still keeping things private. In one of the episode’s lighter moments, ROSÉ revealed the lengths she once went to avoid attention — including dressing up as an elderly woman to visit a partner. Complete with wigs and a separate wardrobe, the disguise became a full commitment. “I had a whole section of grandma clothes,” she laughed, admitting she even practiced walking like one.
The singer also touched on a past “toxic” relationship, likely from her younger years. Looking back, she acknowledged it wasn’t healthy, but emotions kept her invested longer than she should have been. She described moments where her partner would limit communication or avoid including her, behavior she didn’t question at the time. “I thought he was just really serious about his job,” she said with a laugh. “And I was like, ‘That’s hot.’”
The heartfelt podcast appearance comes just ahead of Deadline, BLACKPINK’s upcoming mini-album set for release on Feb. 27. It also arrives days before the 2026 Grammys, where ROSÉ has made history as the first K-pop soloist nominated in major categories, earning nods for record of the year, song of the year, and best pop/duo performance for her hit collaboration “APT.” with Bruno Mars.
Through laughter, tears, and honesty, ROSÉ reminded listeners that behind the global stardom is a young woman still navigating love, heartbreak, and self-discovery — just like anyone else.
