Katseye, the internationally acclaimed girl group, has been navigating a tumultuous journey since their debut in 2023. Despite their meteoric rise in the music industry, the six-member ensemble has been subjected to a barrage of online death threats and racist comments. The group, recently nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, revealed the emotional toll these threats have taken on them and their families. Lara Raj, a member with Tamil Indian heritage, shared her decision to delete Twitter (now X) to escape the negativity, stating, ‘I realised I am not the audience for other people’s opinions.’ The group, trained in the K-pop system but adopting a Western musical approach, has also faced sexist remarks, with Raj highlighting the dystopian nature of being ranked based on appearance and talent. Despite these challenges, Katseye has achieved remarkable success. Their second EP, ‘Beautiful Chaos,’ peaked at number two on the US album charts, and their Gap advert garnered 400 million plays and 8 billion social media impressions. The band, comprising members from diverse backgrounds, continues to inspire with their message of pride in one’s heritage and culture. Raj encourages aspiring musicians from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams, emphasizing, ‘Our skin colour, our culture is our power. Use it and own it.’
