Jennie's New Netflix 'Steps' Song 'Someone to Hold' Sparks Heated Backlash Over Songwriter Justin Tranter's Alleged Political Ties

BLACKPINK member Jennie will release a brand-new song, “Someone to Hold,” for the soundtrack of Netflix’s upcoming animated film “Steps,” the streaming platform announced on Thursday. But the announcement was immediately met with a wave of harsh criticism from netizens, aimed at the track’s songwriter and producer, Justin Tranter.

The film’s official trailer dropped the same day, giving fans a first preview of “Someone to Hold” ahead of the soundtrack’s release on November 20, 2026 — the same day “Steps” premieres globally on Netflix. The animated comedy adventure, a fresh take on the Cinderella story directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, is being presented as a landmark title for Netflix Animation: it was completed entirely in-house across the company’s Los Angeles, Sydney and Vancouver studios.

The soundtrack features four original songs, all written and produced by Tranter. Jennie leads the musical lineup, joined by Amanda Seyfried, Rose Gray and EMEI, with an instrumental score composed by Kris Bowers. The film’s directors said “Someone to Hold” represents the sisterhood between the three central characters: Lilith, Cinderella and Margot. Rose Gray contributes “Meet Me on the Dance Floor,” Seyfried performs “Smile and a Song,” and EMEI delivers “The Understudy,” while Tranter described Jennie’s track as “pure danceable joy inspired by vintage organic dance pop.” The voice cast includes Ali Wong, Amanda Seyfried, Stephanie Hsu, Nikki Glaser, Daniel Radcliffe, Peter Dinklage and Bette Midler, with Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions among the producers.

“I am so excited to join the ‘Steps’ family and it was really fun making my first song for an animated film!” Jennie said in a statement shared by Netflix. “I love how much heart and personality the characters have, and I’m so happy I got to be a little part of their world. I hope you enjoy ‘Steps’ and ‘Someone to Hold’ as much as I do and I can’t wait for you guys to hear it!”

According to Koreaboo, the announcement was flooded with angry reactions on X, where netizens claimed Tranter had signed a CCFP letter supporting Israel and opposed a Eurovision boycott, and accused Jennie of repeatedly collaborating with controversial figures. The claims have not been independently verified, and no statement from Jennie’s side had been issued at the time of publication.

The song marks Jennie’s latest major solo move in a packed year that has seen her headline Governors Ball, Roskilde, Open’er, Lollapalooza and Summer Sonic festivals and release her digital EP “Fallen Angel.” With the trailer already out and the full soundtrack arriving on November 20 alongside the film, more details about “Someone to Hold” are expected in the coming weeks.