Global hit girl group Katseye is adjusting its upcoming schedule after lead vocalist Sophia Laforteza announced she will step away temporarily from all group activities to prioritize her mental health and wellness. The announcement marks the second temporary departure from the six-member ensemble in less than six months, following Manon Bannerman’s February 2026 hiatus that the 23-year-old Swiss singer has yet to end.
The joint label behind Katseye, HYBE x Geffen Records, confirmed the news in an official public statement released earlier this week. The label clarified that Laforteza, a Filipino-American performer who rose to fame as one of the group’s core vocalists, will not be able to participate in any upcoming promotional tours, live appearances, or public events during her break. “We understand how much EYEKONS, our dedicated fanbase, were looking forward to seeing Sophia on stage in the coming months, but it is absolutely critical that we put her mental health and long-term wellness above all else,” the statement read.
According to the label, Laforteza has been working closely with medical professionals and receiving full organizational support to address her mental health challenges. Clinical experts have advised her to take an extended period of rest and ongoing focused care to achieve a full recovery before returning to the demanding schedule of a global performing artist. Though Laforteza herself has expressed eagerness to rejoin her bandmates Yoonchae, Megan, Lara Raj, and Daniela for upcoming engagements, the label reaffirmed that artist health will always remain its top priority. Laforteza’s condition will be formally reassessed in September 2026 to determine when she can safely return to group activities.
In a personal message shared with fans via her official Instagram account, Laforteza opened up about the difficult decision to step back. “Making this choice wasn’t easy at all, but I’m learning that your health has to come first, no matter what,” she wrote. “I’m realizing that if I don’t take the time to care for my mind and body now, I won’t be able to keep doing what I love most for years to come.” The vocalist also thanked fans for their understanding and committed to working toward a full comeback. “This support you’ve given me means more to me than I could ever put into words,” she added. “I promise I’m going to work as hard as I can to get through this, heal properly, and come back stronger than ever.”
Founded in 2023, Katseye quickly rose to international stardom with chart-topping global hits including *Gnarly*, *Pinky Up*, and *Gabriela*, earning two Grammy Award nominations in 2025 and an invitation to perform at the 2026 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles earlier this year. With both Laforteza and Bannerman on temporary leave, the group will move forward with all scheduled upcoming activities as a four-member ensemble.
Long before the latest hiatus announcement, Katseye’s members have opened up about facing intense online harassment, including multiple death threats targeted at individual members since the group’s 2023 debut. Bannerman, the first member to step back for health reasons, told fans in February that she was prioritizing personal care, noting that she was already healthy and continuing to look after herself. The label has repeatedly stated that the door remains open for Bannerman to return whenever she feels ready to rejoin the group, and that the decision to take a break was reached through collective, open conversation among all members and the management team.