Senior Music Editor at Screen Rant, Sarah’s love of sound and story drive the beat. A globetrotting brand whisperer and award-winning journalist, she’s built cross-cultural narratives around the world—but music has always been her true north. She launched DJ Mag North America, successfully introducing the iconic UK brand to the U.S. market. Previously, she carved a space for EDM inside the pages of VIBE, blending electronic and hip-hop culture long before it was trendy.
Just weeks after their high-profile appearance at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where they stood as a symbol of the “global group” revolution, KATSEYE has hit a significant speed bump. Manon Bannerman has officially announced a temporary hiatus to focus on her health and wellbeing, leaving the group to move forward as a five-piece. While the official PR statement is polished, for those of us who have been tracking the “beautiful chaos” of this group since day one, the news feels less like a surprise and more like an inevitability.
Let’s be real: the 
Netflix documentary Pop Star: Academy showed us a group being formed, but the subtext was always about a high-stakes experiment unfolding. Manon was famously framed as the dark horse—the talented outlier who faced intense scrutiny from instructors and pre-debut friction with her bandmates. Transitioning from a controversial reality show contestant to a global idol in under two years is a sprint that few can sustain. We’re finally seeing the human cost of the 24/7 spotlight that Netflix helped build.
It’s ironic that their latest polarizing track was titled “Gnarly.” While the single divided the internet over its creative direction, the group’s internal reality is what’s truly getting gnarly now. Between the viral Gap advertisements and the constant pressure to “overtake social media,” the group is at a crossroads.
The HYBE Survival Formula: A Pattern Of Burnout?
For readers who may not be knee-deep in the K-pop weeds, HYBE is the South Korean entertainment titan that fundamentally changed how global pop stars are made. Originally known as Big Hit Entertainment—the small label that launched BTS—it has since evolved into a massive multi-label conglomerate.
- The R U Next? Blueprint: Much like the formation of ILLIT, the path to KATSEYE was paved with “evil editing” and fan-driven tribalism. This style of debut creates instant fame but leaves the artists navigating a divided fandom before they even release a second single.
- The Global Lab Experiment: KATSEYE was built to be a Western-Kpop hybrid. By merging the Netflix documentary drama with a rigorous idol work ethic, the label created a product that might be moving faster than the people inside it.
- The Individual vs. The Collective: Survival shows force fans to vote for individuals. When the group debuts, that “soloist” energy often leads to toxic online discourse, making a member’s mental health journey even more difficult under the public eye.
As Manon takes her much-needed break, the remaining five members must now reconfigure their entire stage presence. We’re likely to see a shift in choreography and vocal distribution that will test the group’s versatility. The question remains… can KATSEYE maintain the momentum they gained at the Grammys, or will the “Netflix Curse” prove too much to overcome?
One thing is certain: KATSEYE was marketed as the future of music—a borderless, flawless machine. But as Manon prioritizes her wellbeing, we’re reminded these are real young women caught in a very high-stakes game.
Before they were a global phenomenon, they were six girls from around the world surviving a training camp designed to break them.
Here’s a look at the lineup that made the cut:
- Sophia Laforteza (Leader / Philippines): The first Filipino artist under HYBE, Sophia is the group’s anchor. A theater veteran with a powerhouse voice, she consistently ranked #1 throughout the survival show.
- Lara Raj (Main Vocalist / USA): Bringing South Asian representation to the forefront, Lara is known for her “baddie” energy. She’s been vocal about her heritage and her journey as a queer artist in the idol space.
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Daniela Avanzini (USA): A former
So You Think You Can Dance
finalist, Daniela is the group’s Latin fire. She’s a multi-hyphenate who has already proven she has the solo star power to back up the group dynamic. - Manon Bannerman (Switzerland): The current girl of the hour. Manon was the “dark horse” of the Netflix doc—a Swiss-Ghanaian-Italian model who went from a social media scout to a global idol in record time.
- Megan Skiendiel (USA): The “all-rounder” from Honolulu. Megan has survived everything from a back injury to the intense scrutiny of the show. She recently celebrated coming out as bisexual to fans during a heartfelt livestream.
- Yoonchae Jeung (Maknae / South Korea): The youngest of the group and a former CJ E&M trainee. Yoonchae provides the direct bridge to traditional K-pop roots, blending her years of training with the group’s new global sound.
Sources: PA Media, Art Threat, K-Pop Starz
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