KATSEYE lead singer Sophia Laforteza is taking a hiatus from the group to focus on her mental health, a decision that comes just six months after fellow member Manon Bannerman also announced a similar break for health and well-being reasons. The announcement was made Friday via statements released on the group's and Laforteza's respective Instagram pages.
Both the group's record labels, HYBE and Geffen Records, and Laforteza, 23, shared the news. KATSEYE's statement expressed regret for Laforteza's temporary inability to participate in upcoming promotional activities, emphasizing that her mental health and wellness are paramount. The statement assured that Laforteza is receiving significant support and, following consultations with medical professionals, has been advised to take extended time for rest and care to ensure a full recovery.
The labels plan to reassess Laforteza's condition in September and will provide further updates to fans at that time. Laforteza addressed her 5.6 million followers, stating that the decision was difficult but necessary, acknowledging that health must come first to sustain her passion for performing.
This development occurs one week before KATSEYE's latest EP, WILD, is scheduled for release. The group is also preparing for a sold-out world tour set to begin in September and is days away from the theatrical release of their documentary film, KATSEYE: Wild Hearts HEARTS. Laforteza was absent from the documentary's premiere on Tuesday.
Laforteza's hiatus follows a similar announcement in February from Manon Bannerman, 24, who took a temporary break to focus on her health and wellbeing. Bannerman's departure led to backlash from some fans seeking clarity on her future with the group. Bannerman had contradicted her record label's statement, asserting via social media that she was healthy and okay, while also acknowledging that circumstances can unfold in ways beyond one's control.
KATSEYE, a Los Angeles-based girl group formed in 2023 through the competition series Dream Academy, released their debut single in 2024, followed by a second track. The group's hit song "Gabriela" reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and received a Grammy nomination. The members also earned a Best New Artist nomination.
In November, the group disclosed that they had hired a therapist to help navigate the pressures of fame, including death threats. Member Lara Raj described the impact of such threats as "heavy, and jarring," while Bannerman characterized them as "very terrorizing on the mind."