Photo: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images
It’s been a little over a year since international girl group and Cut cover stars Katseye first debuted, captivating young audiences with Bratz-doll costuming and internet-brained songs like “Gnarly” and “Pinky Up.” In that short time, however, the group’s original six members are now down to four.
In February, Katseye’s label, Hybe x Geffen, announced that Manon Bannerman was taking a “temporary hiatus” from the group to focus on her health and well-being. In August, the label announced that a second member, Sophia Laforteza, would step back due to illness and would be “temporarily unable to participate” in Katseye-related appearances.
The remaining members of Katseye are tied up with promotional obligations as they prepare to release their second EP, Wild, on Friday. During an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the girls vaguely addressed their missing counterparts.
“Fans may notice the group looks a little different than where you were last year,” Fallon said to the group on Wednesday night. “So I just want to say, it’s great seeing you support the other members as they’ve taken their breaks.”
“Thank you, it’s very sweet of you to say that,” Lara Raj said. “We have nothing but so much love and support for Sophia and Manon, and it’s beautiful to see how the Eyekons give them so much support and also continue to support us as we’re here.”
The remaining members — Daniela Avanzini, Yoonchae Jeung, Megan Skiendiel, and Raj — went on to perform Katseye’s new single, “Animal,” which was co-written by Ed Sheeran (??). Their first arena world tour is kicking off next month, taking the group across North America and Europe. When Fallon asked how the girls would describe the upcoming era, Avanzini said, “Wild,” while Raj added, “I’d say maturity … Growing up.”
There’s no word on whether either of the two missing members will rejoin Katseye on tour, though Hybe executives promised the team would reassess Laforteza’s hiatus in September. Bannerman, meanwhile, said she’d had “positive conversations” with the label ahead of the group’s Coachella performance, though she’s yet to make her official comeback. Hopefully everyone takes the time they need.
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