KATSEYE’s Sophia Laforteza Announces Temporary Hiatus To Prioritize Mental Health

KATSEYE’s leader and lead vocalist Sophia Laforteza has officially announced she is stepping back from the group on a temporary basis to prioritize her mental health and overall well-being. The announcement was made on August 7, 2026, leaving the globally beloved girl group to continue as a four-member act at one of the busiest moments in their career — just days before a major EP release and a string of headline-grabbing summer appearances.

The Official Statement

HYBE announced on Friday, August 7, that Sophia Laforteza is “temporarily unable to participate in upcoming promotional activities” via a written statement on social media.

The message cites a need for the 23-year-old performer to prioritize her “mental health and wellness” as the reason for her pressing pause, noting, “Sophia has been receiving the utmost support, and following thorough consultations with medical professionals, it has been advised that she take dedicated time for extended rest and ongoing care to ensure a full recovery.”

“KATSEYE remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us. The group will continue scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right,” the band’s statement read.

The group noted that Laforteza’s condition will be reassessed in September following consultations with medical professionals.

Sophia’s Personal Message To Fans

Following the official announcement, Sophia personally addressed fans with a message of her own on her Instagram Story, writing: “It truly breaks my heart to have to miss out on a lot.”

“You know how much I love being on stage, performing, and sharing these moments with you,” she wrote. “Making this decision wasn’t easy, but I’m learning that health has to come first. I’m realizing that if I don’t take care of my mind and body now, I won’t be able to keep doing what I love the most for so long.”

She further added, “I promise I’m going to work as hard as I can to get through this, heal properly, and come back stronger.”

Sophia’s Background & KATSEYE Journey

KATSEYE was formed through the reality competition series The Debut: Dream Academy and officially debuted in 2024 with six members: Sophia, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Yoonchae Jeung and Manon Bannerman.

KATSEYE lead vocalist Sophia Laforteza is taking a temporary step back from group activities to focus on her mental health and overall well-being. As the group’s leader, Sophia has been one of KATSEYE’s most prominent and recognisable faces since the group’s debut, representing the Philippines on the global stage.

Sophia’s Profile

Her Openness About Mental Health

Sophia had already been candid with her fanbase about her personal health struggles long before this announcement.

In a Weverse livestream in May this year, she revealed that she has been diagnosed with ADHD, having received an official diagnosis around the time KATSEYE debuted in 2024.

“I don’t think people know how difficult having ADHD is. It really is difficult.” She described her experience as one of internal restlessness, difficulty focusing, hyperfocus.

She described her experience as one of internal restlessness, difficulty focusing, hyperfocus, and sleep struggles, and made clear she sees a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a therapist.

She has also spoken directly about the toll of online hostility. In a BBC interview in November last year, KATSEYE discussed receiving thousands of death threats. “No human is supposed to receive that much feedback on something that they’ve created,” Sophia said.

The Second KATSEYE Hiatus of 2026

Sophia’s announcement is the second major hiatus to rock KATSEYE in a single calendar year.

Sophia’s hiatus comes nearly six months after fellow KATSEYE member Manon Bannerman also took a temporary break from group activities in February. HYBE x Geffen announced on February 20 that Manon would be taking a temporary hiatus to focus on her “health and well-being.”

Since then, Manon has removed KATSEYE from her Instagram bio and has yet to return to the group for any appearances.

Sophia’s announcement leaves KATSEYE without their two oldest members, and arrives six months after member Manon Bannerman announced her own hiatus in February 2026 to focus on her health and wellbeing.

KATSEYE 2026 Hiatus Timeline

What Happens Next For KATSEYE?

Despite the disruption, KATSEYE’s schedule remains packed, and the four active members are pressing ahead.

Just hours ahead of KATSEYE’s headlining set at the Head in the Clouds Music and Arts Festival at the Rose Bowl, joint labels HYBE and Geffen announced Sophia’s hiatus. The timing forces KATSEYE to press forward as a quartet comprising Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung, just one week out from the August 14 arrival of their Wild EP.

KATSEYE is currently booked to make their Tonight Show debut on August 12, following multiple summer appearances, including the 88rising Head in the Clouds Festival in Los Angeles on August 8.

Remaining members Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Jeung Yoon-chae and Megan Skiendiel will kick off the group’s second world tour promoting “Wild” next month, where Sophia — and maybe Manon — hopes to join them as it progresses.

KATSEYE’s Upcoming Schedule

Fan Response

Soon after the announcement, fans took to the comment section to express their views and wish for Sophia’s recovery. The global fanbase — known as EYEKONS — rallied behind the star with an outpouring of support across social media platforms, expressing love and understanding while wishing Sophia a full and speedy recovery.

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