Tori Sheehan
Grammy nominated six member girl group, Katseye, has made an official statement this week across social media platforms. Announcing the sudden hiatus of member, Manon Bannerman. Leaving fans distressed, angry, and confused, as the news comes only a few weeks after the group’s Grammy debut. Katseye were nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group performance at the Grammys a few weeks ago, and are due to perform at Coachella soon.
Sudden Statements and Speculation
Katseye released an official statement across platforms saying:
“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 said.
“We fully support this decision. KATSEYE remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything for us. The group will continue scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right. Thank you to our EYEKONS for your continued love, patience, and understanding.”
While most took this statement to comment on their wishes for Manon to be healthy. Some pointed out how Manon, being the only black girl in the group, is treated differently from the other members. Highlighting how other members are gone on hiatus, but this announcement felt different. To many, this feeling was confirmed when Manon sent onto the WeVerse fan page. Leaving a message for her fans, stating:
“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”.
There is no public date or timetable for the singer’s return.
Who Are Katseye?
The six-member girl group was formed on a K-pop style survival show called “The Debut: Dream Academy” in 2023. Alongside Manon are members Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzino, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung. The girl group are most famously known for their song “Gnarly” that went viral on TikTok and their famous GAP AD. Katseye released their first single out of the survival show in June 2024 called “Debut”. Since then, the group has gone on to release several singles. Followed by two EPs, “SIS (Soft is Strong)” and “Beautiful Chaos”.
Mistreatment Allegations
Ever since the announcement of this hiatus, the internet has gone up in flames. Famous singers and public figures such as SZA, Normani and Leigh-Anne Pinnock have voiced their support for Manon. Fans are picking apart every case of possible mistreatment towards Manon. Which gets weirder when you realise. Manon, unlike the other girls, didn’t sign up or audition for the survival show that made her group. The company saw Manon’s visuals and online popularity. Than personally flew a team to Switzerland to train her so she could be on the show.
Ever since the survival show, Manon has been portrayed as lazy and unprofessional. With lots of the girls on the show openly talking badly about her, even to her face. Some fans claim the company is pushing this “lazy” trait onto the only black girl. There have also been several occasions where the company didn’t send over Manon’s solo images or produced group content without. Currently, the group’s highest-viewed YouTube video, the “Gabriela” performance video, doesn’t include Manon at all. Some fans are speculating that the company have been market testing to see how the group would perform without Manon.
However, as of right now, Manon is still an official member of Katseye. With many people online discussing how some of these fans are overreacting, Manon will be back once she’s healthy and in a good place. With no set timeline, public fans can only sit and wait for Manon’s return. HopING she will be able to perform with the group for Coachella.
