Katseye star’s future with band hinted at in business records after sudden hiatus

Katseye, the rising girl group formed on the 2023 competition series Dream Academy, faces a period of uncertainty as two of its members have stepped back from active participation. Recent business filings shed light on the current status of the band’s lineup, particularly regarding Manon Bannerman, who has been on hiatus since early this year.

Despite speculation that Bannerman's break might signal a permanent exit, documents obtained by Page Six confirm she remains an official member of Katseye LLC as of mid-July. The company records list all six original members or their representatives as stakeholders, indicating that Bannerman has not formally departed the group. While her future involvement remains unclear, the paperwork suggests the possibility of a return remains open.

Bannerman, 24, was the first to announce a pause from group activities, prioritizing her health and wellbeing. This announcement came less than two months before Katseye’s debut performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2024. At that time, the group's associated labels, HYBE and Geffen Records, publicly supported her decision and assured fans that the band would continue with scheduled commitments.

Following her hiatus announcement, Bannerman quietly removed references to Katseye from her social media profiles, coinciding with the group’s release of their single “Pinky Up.” This move intensified debates among fans about her return, though she has since provided occasional updates expressing gratitude and affirming her wellness without clarifying any plans to rejoin the band.

The group’s dynamic shifted further when leader Sophia Laforteza, aged 23, also entered a hiatus starting August 7. Her absence was notable during the European extension of the “Wildworld Tour” and contributed to the band withdrawing from Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival. This tour adjustment also followed an injury to member Megan Skiendiel, who sustained an ankle injury, limiting her participation.

Katseye’s current active roster includes Bannerman, Laforteza, Skiendiel, Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, and Yoonchae Jeong. The six-member ensemble earned two nominations at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, where they delivered a performance of their track “Gnarly.” That Grammy appearance marked their final performance as a full sextet.

Last month, Katseye released their third extended play titled “Wild,” featuring the five currently active members on its cover. The group’s trajectory has been closely followed since their formation, with their sudden staggered member absences prompting questions about the band’s stability and future plans.

Details regarding the duration of Bannerman’s and Laforteza’s hiatuses remain limited, and no official statements have clarified whether these breaks will lead to permanent departures. Katseye’s management has not publicly commented beyond confirming the business records and the health-related reasons for the members’ temporary withdrawals.

As Katseye navigates this period of transition, the music industry and fans alike are watching closely to see how the group will evolve. The official business records affirm that the band’s foundation remains intact for now, but the upcoming months will be critical in determining if the full original lineup will reunite or if the group will adapt to a new formation.