When a group takes a pause, the conversation often spirals into speculation. For KATSEYE, however, when vocalist Manon Bannerman stepped away temporarily, the focus quickly shifted from personal health to external whispers—specifically, questions about race.
As fans speculated about the reasons behind her hiatus, the remaining five members—Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung—took a moment to address the noise. In a recent interview, they made it clear that any notion linking Manon’s absence to race was completely out of line.
“We can definitely say that in our situation, in no way was it about race,” stated Laforteza. “That goes against everything that we stand for.”
The group emphasized the strength of their internal bond, asserting that the time away was a private matter between them. Lara Raj added that their safety lay within their core connection: “The safest space that we had was within the six of us. People just have no idea what goes on. They just don’t. It’s nothing but love between us.”
They further reassured the public that they remain in contact with Manon “here and there,” noting that her departure from the group was simply “not their story to tell.”
The initial announcement in February from HYBE x Geffen focused solely on Manon’s need to focus on her health and wellbeing, a decision the group fully supported. This commitment to unity shone through as they navigated external scrutiny.
Manon herself provided an update in April, sharing that she was having positive conversations with HxG and felt supported, expressing gratitude for the patience shown by their fans.
While the temporary break allowed time for personal recuperation, KATSEYE remained focused on their creative momentum. They are now gearing up for their next artistic chapter with the upcoming EP, ‘WILD’, set for release on August 14th.
The group is also preparing for an ambitious global stage, having announced their 2026 ‘WILDWORLD’ tour, which will bring them across the UK, Europe, and North America. This period of reflection is clearly fueling a bolder evolution for KATSEYE as they prepare to embark on this next exciting journey.
Credit: NME
