Yoonchae Jeung, Megan Skiendiel, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Sophia Laforteza and Daniela Avanzini of KATSEYE attend the 68th GRAMMY Awards.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Two weeks ago, KATSEYE were the musical guests for the season premiere of SNL. It's a major milestone for any artist, but for some EYEKONS, the moment was likely overshadowed by the absence of Manon Bannerman and Sophia Laforteza, both of whom are currently on hiatus from the six-member girl group. While KATSEYE has continued as a quartet in the interim, losing a third of their ranks has been a stark blow even as the group's profile has continued to rise.
KATSEYE statement regarding Sophia's hiatus on Instagram Stories.
Fans of Sophia should be happy to learn that the Filipina-America singer will return to KATSEYE at the start of 2027, at least according to a new statement from KATSEYE and label HYBE X Geffen at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 8.
"Sophia has been prioritizing her health and well-being with our full support and resources," HYBE X Geffen said in a statement posted to Weverse. "While Sophia will not be participating in THE WILDWORLD TOUR in North America, or promotional activities for the remainder of this year, we look forward to welcoming her back as KATSEYE continues this next chapter together in 2027."
KATSEYE posted the exact same statement to their Instagram Story with a link back to the Weverse post. You can read a transcript of that statement below:
We are happy to share that Sophia will resume group activities with KATSEYE beginning the first week of January 2027.
Sophia has been prioritizing her health and well-being with our full support and resources. While Sophia will not be participating in THE WILDWORLD TOUR in North America, or promotional activities for the remainder of this year, we look forward to welcoming her back as KATSEYE continues this next chapter together in 2027.
We are incredibly grateful to EYEKONS for the continued love, support, and understanding you’ve shown Sophia and KATSEYE. Thank you for standing by her, and we look forward to celebrating her return with you in the new year.
Laforteza also posted about her return to the girl group on Instagram Stories just before noon, though the singer stopped short of putting a specific timeline on her return to KATSEYE. Laforteza said in part, "It pains me deeply that I won't be able to participate in the remainder of the tour this year [...] I can't wait to share the stage with my sisters again and look out to all of you!" You can see a full screenshot of Sophia's statement below.
Sophia Laforteza's statement on her hiatus from KATSEYE.
Laforteza has been on hiatus from KATSEYE since early August, just a week ahead of the release of the group's third EP WILD. That's left the group's promotion for that EP feeling slightly stymied, given Sophia's presence in the music and some of the videos only emphasizes her absence on stages like SNL. Meanwhile Manon Bannerman has been on hiatus since February 20, 2026, though her status with the group seems much more ambiguous. The members of KATSEYE have previously spoken about their ambitions as solo artists, and it's possible Manon would rather pursue that earlier than later.
Revisit The FADER's six-way interview with KATSEYE from April 2025.
