KATSEYE is giving fans a heartfelt update on member Manon Bannerman as questions continue to surround her extended hiatus from the group.
The 23-year-old Swiss-Ghanaian performer stepped away from group activities in February to focus on her well-being. Four months later, she has not yet returned to the stage, but her fellow members are making it clear that her health remains the priority.
Since Manon’s hiatus began, KATSEYE has continued promoting as a five-member group, with Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae carrying on with performances, festival appearances, interviews, and major career milestones.
The group has appeared at awards shows, performed at Coachella, and continued preparing new music, all while continuing to refer to themselves as a six-member act.
Now, in a new interview with Allure, the members have addressed Manon’s absence directly, offering their clearest update yet while asking fans for continued understanding and patience.
Sophia explained that everyone involved wants to give Manon the time she needs without placing unnecessary pressure on her return.
“Because we did announce that it is about her well-being, it’s not our place or anybody else’s place to rush her,” Sophia tells Allure. “We want to give her all the time that she needs, all the space that she needs, and so we don’t want to make any assumptions, set anything in stone… She really deserves that and the door is always open.”
The message reflects the group’s commitment to supporting one another behind the scenes, even as fans eagerly await Manon’s return.
Sophia also acknowledged that supporters naturally have questions after several months without an update, saying the members understand why fans continue asking about their bandmate.
“We love her and the fans love her. The people love her. They love KATSEYE,” she continued. “If I was in their place I would be asking too, and so we understand. But what we can say is that we wish that you could just keep extending love and support and patience and all those things, because all of us deserve that. Anybody does.”
Rather than speculating about timelines, the members emphasized compassion and respect for Manon’s privacy as she continues focusing on herself.
According to Allure, KATSEYE has never stopped thinking of themselves as a six-member group, despite temporarily promoting with five performers. That detail is likely to reassure many fans who have remained hopeful that Manon will eventually return once she’s ready.
The most recent update from Manon herself came in April through messages shared with fans on Weverse.
At the time, she expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she had received since announcing her hiatus.
“Thank you so much for all the love and support you’ve been sending my way. I’m really grateful for the patience and kindness everyone has shown during this time,” she reportedly said through Weverse DMs. “HxG and I are having positive conversations and I feel supported. I’m happy and I’m healthy. I’ll share more soon. Thank you for always being there for me.”
Although she has remained away from public activities, her message reassured fans that she was doing well and continuing conversations about the future.
In the meantime, KATSEYE’s schedule has remained packed.
The group is preparing to release its new EP, Wild, in August before launching the Wildworld Tour, which is expected to introduce the group’s next musical era to audiences around the world.
Earlier this month, the members also joined forces with LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT for the collaborative release “ICONIC BY MISTAKE,” bringing together three of the most exciting names in global pop. They have also been announced as performers at Olivia Rodrigo’s upcoming Daisy Chain Fields festival, adding another major appearance to their busy calendar.
