KATSEYE have defended Manon Bannerman’s ongoing hiatus from the group, saying speculation that it was about race “goes against everything that we stand for”.
Manon has been on a temporary hiatus from the HYBE x Geffen girl group since February, when it was announced that she would be stepping back “to focus on her health and wellbeing”.
Now, in a new interview with Vanity Fair, the remaining five members – Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung – have addressed ongoing speculation around her absence.
The publication noted that, after Manon engaged with social media posts about being the only Black woman in the group, fan conversations around the hiatus “quickly veered into conversations about race”.
“We can definitely say that in our situation, in no way was it about race,” said Laforteza. “That goes against everything that we stand for.”
Raj added: “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.”
The group also said they keep in contact with Manon “here and there”, and they added her departure from the group was “not their story to tell”.
At the time of the announcement in February, HYBE x Geffen said in a statement: “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.”
“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.”
In April, Manon gave fans an update, writing: “Thank you so much for all the love and support you’ve been sending my way. I’m really grateful for the patience and kindness everyone has shown during this time.”
She added: “HxG and I are having positive conversations and I feel supported. I’m happy and I’m healthy. I’ll share more soon. Thank you for always being there for me.”
KATSEYE are set to release their next EP, ‘WILD’, on August 14 (pre-order here), following last year’s ‘Beautiful Chaos’, which included ‘Gnarly’, named by NME as the fifth best song of 2025.
Speaking to NME about ‘Beautiful Chaos’ last year, the group said they were embracing a bolder era after the release of ‘Gnarly’. “If you don’t get it, then it’s not for you,” they said at the time.
They have since announced their 2026 ‘WILDWORLD’ tour, which will take them across the UK, Europe and North America. The run will include shows at London’s The O2 and Manchester’s Co-op Live – see all of the dates here and find any remaining tickets here.
Earlier this year, KATSEYE were also joined by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami during their Coachella set to perform ‘Golden’ from KPop Demon Hunters.
Elsewhere, Olivia Rodrigo recently announced KATSEYE as part of the line-up for her new all-female Daisy Chain Fields festival, alongside Chappell Roan, Bikini Kill, Doechii, Garbage and others.