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Ever since KATSEYE was formed on The Debut: Dream Academy in 2023, the group has promoted itself as a six-piece unit. It was recently announced, however, that member Manon Bannerman will be taking a “temporary hiatus” from the group to “focus on her health and wellbeing.” This news has taken aback many fans and ignited discourse online.
KATSEYE has had to promote itself as a five-member group sporadically, but this marks the first time a member has gone on an official hiatus. “Despite having some interviews or performances with a missing member, what’s important is that at the end of the day, we’re still going to be six as KATSEYE,” leader Sophia Laforteza told Billboard in 2025, adding that “it’s forever going to be that way.”
So, why the need for a formal hiatus this time? If you are among the many who are confused about the unfolding situation, here’s a breakdown of everything that has happened since Manon’s hiatus was announced—including the star’s own response.
February 20: Manon’s hiatus is announced
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News of Manon’s hiatus broke on February 20, with a joint statement from HYBE and Geffen (the labels signed as “HxG”) that was posted on KATSEYE’s accounts on Weverse and X, announcing that after careful consideration, Manon would be going on a “temporary hiatus.”
“After open and thoughtful conversations together, we are sharing that Manon will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing,” the statement began. “We fully support this decision. KATSEYE remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us. The group will continue scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right.”
The statement concluded with a thank-you message addressed to EYEKONS, the nickname for KATSEYE fans, for their “continued love, patience, and understanding.”
HYBE and Geffen’s statement did not share a timeline for Manon’s return. Notably, KATSEYE’s next scheduled major performance is at Lollapalooza Argentina on March 13. The group has a stream of festival appearances from March to August, including their long-anticipated Coachella debut in April.
Feb. 20: Manon issues her own statement
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Shortly after HYBE and Geffen released the statement that broke the news of Manon’s hiatus, the star took to Weverse to address fans directly. She released her own brief statement on the situation via Weverse DMs, a paid subscription service.
Screenshots circulating online show a message from Manon’s personal Weverse profile name, Peanutbutterlover02, reading: “Hi friends. 🤍 I want you to hear this from me, I’m healthy, I’m okay, and I’m taking care of myself. Thank u for checking in! Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I’m trusting the bigger picture. Thank you for standing by me. I love you endlessly and can’t wait to see you again.”
Feb. 22 onward: Discourse intensifies online, and past comments from Manon resurface
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Since the whole situation began to unfold, fans have taken to social media to demand more information and transparency regarding Manon’s temporary departure. Hashtags such as #ForeverWithManon, #EYEKONSLoveManon, and #GetWellSoonManon are being used on social media to show support for the star. Other fans are also vocally sharing the sentiment that “KATSEYE is six,” expressing their hope that the hiatus doesn’t become permanent.
This is not the first time fans have speculated about Manon’s departure from the group. Last summer, speculation was rampant, and Manon addressed it herself, also via Weverse DMs. “Not going anywhere?? In the studio rehearsing as i’m typing this… kisses!” Manon reportedly wrote at the time.
This time around, fan speculation has been exacerbated by screenshots that appear to show Manon liking an Instagram post from creator Simone Umba, who used Manon’s hiatus to analyze a “trope” she calls “the lone Black girl in girl groups,” mentioning Normani from Fifth Harmony and Leigh-Anne Pinnock from Little Mix and the groups’ respective hiatuses.
At the time of this writing, Manon’s like on the post is nowhere to be found, so it’s hard to confirm the veracity of the screenshots. But the post does have support from plenty of others, including commenter Sairah Pinnock, who is Leigh-Anne’s manager and sister.
In a June 2020 Instagram video, which has since been deleted, Leigh-Anne addressed the added pressure and reality of being the only Black member in her group, according to Billboard. “My reality is constantly feeling like I have to work 10 times harder and longer to mark my place in the group because my talent alone isn’t enough,” she said at the time. Little Mix went on an indefinite hiatus in 2022.
Her sentiments echo those expressed by Manon in an interview with The Cut earlier this month, in which she addressed accusations that she was “lazy” during Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, which chronicled the creation of the group on The Debut: Dream Academy. “Being called lazy, especially as a Black girl, is not fair,” Manon said. “Now I feel like I always need to put in extra work to prove something, even though I really don’t.”
In the same interview, Manon also shared very poignant thoughts about KATSEYE members working on solo projects down the line: “When One Direction split, that was really hard. I don’t want our fans to go through that. I don’t want to be responsible for breaking so many hearts,” she said, adding later that “KATSEYE is going to stay KATSEYE for a while.”
KATSEYE’s last public appearance before the hiatus was on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on February 4, following their performance at the 2026 Grammys, where they were nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Manon’s latest Instagram post, dated February 13, promotes KATSEYE’s smoothie collab with Erewhon. She still has KATSEYE in her Instagram bio as of this writing.
Teen Vogue has reached out to HYBE and Geffen for further comment but did not immediately hear back. This piece will continue to be updated as news about Manon’s hiatus breaks.
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
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