Sophia Laforteza, leader of global girl group KATSEYE, is taking an extended mental health hiatus, management label HYBE x Geffen announced on August 7.
The announcement comes as the six-member international group continues its meteoric rise on global music charts following the success of hit tracks including Touch and Debut.
In an official joint statement shared across KATSEYE’s social media platforms, management confirmed that Ms Laforteza would temporarily step back from all upcoming group promotions.
“We are very sorry to share that Sophia will be temporarily unable to participate in upcoming promotional activities,” the statement read.
“We understand how much EYEKONS [the group’s fanbase] were looking forward to seeing Sophia on stage, but it is imperative that her mental health and wellness are prioritised.
“Following thorough consultations with medical professionals, it has been advised that she take dedicated time for extended rest and ongoing care to ensure a full recovery.”
Management confirmed they plan to reassess Ms Laforteza’s progress in September before providing an update to fans.
As expected, fans were not thrilled to hear the news, and swarmed KATSEYE’s social media base to express that.
“Hey, how about you let all the girls take a break instead of waiting for them to all have a mental breakdown?” one fan asked.
“They are overworked. Let them rest and do other things,” a second fan commented.
“We love you, Sophia, praying for your health,” a third wrote.
“As a KATSEYE fan, it hurts me to see some members leave. I hope they come back better and stronger,” another echoed.
Fans were additionally blindsided after the band’s new movie, ‘Katseye: Wild Hearts’ came out recently, and Ms Laforteza was absent due to medical reasons.
Patterns of exhaustion in girl group
Ms Laforteza’s temporary departure comes shortly after fellow bandmate Manon Bannerman stepped back from select group schedules and performances to prioritise her own recovery and wellbeing over five months ago.
The back-to-back breaks have sparked discussion among fans regarding the intense pressure and relentless schedule faced by multinational groups operating under K-pop style development models.
Despite her eagerness to perform, management stressed that long-term health takes absolute priority.
“While Sophia herself is eager to perform alongside her members, the health, safety, and long-term wellbeing of our artists will always remain our highest priority,” the statement read.
The Rise of KATSEYE
KATSEYE was formed through the 2023 reality survival show The Debut: Dream Academy, a joint venture between South Korean entertainment powerhouse HYBE (the agency behind BTS) and American label Geffen Records.
Designed as a truly global girl group using the rigorous and intense K-pop training system, the final six members were selected from over 120,000 applicants worldwide.
The original members of the girl group include Sophia Laforteza from the Philippines, Manon Bannerman from Switzerland, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj and Megan Skiendiel from the United States, and Yoonchae Jeong from South Korea.
Their journey to stardom was chronicled in the Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, which brought their intense preparation and group dynamics to millions of viewers globally.
Since releasing their debut as a pop group, KATSEYE has racked up hundreds of millions of streams, broken onto the Billboard charts, and amassed millions of dedicated followers across TikTok and Instagram.