In the whirlwind world of pop music, few stories this year have been as compelling—and as fraught—as that of Katseye, the international girl group whose meteoric rise has been shadowed by a disturbing wave of online abuse. Since their debut in 2024, the six-member act has faced thousands of death threats, racist attacks, and a torrent of hostility that has reached not only the artists themselves but also their families. Yet, against this grim backdrop, Katseye has not only survived but thrived, breaking records and barriers alike.
Speaking to BBC News in Los Angeles, the group described the psychological toll of the threats. "I try to tell myself it doesn't matter, but if 1,000 people are sending you death threats, it's jarring," said Lara Raj, the 20-year-old US-born singer of Tamil Indian heritage. Raj has been singled out for particularly virulent racist abuse and was even falsely reported to U.S. immigration authorities for allegedly working and residing in the country unlawfully. The constant barrage became so overwhelming that Raj deleted her account on X (formerly known as Twitter) to avoid further exposure. "I realized I am not the audience for other people's opinions," she explained.
The group, formed in 2023 through The Debut: Dream Academy—a reality show collaboration between Korean entertainment powerhouse Hybe (the label behind BTS) and America’s Geffen Records—has been candid about the impact of this abuse. "We know that we signed up for being so public. We know it's a part of fame. But it doesn't change the fact that we are human," said Sophia Laforteza, who hails from Manila. Manon Bannerman, a Ghanaian-Italian member from Zurich, added, "I feel like it's very terrorising on the mind." The group did not elaborate on the specific content of the threats but pointed to a wider culture of aggressive fan behavior, a problem that has also drawn criticism from artists like Chappell Roan, Muna, and Doja Cat.
Sexism is another recurring theme in the messages Katseye receives. "People see us as women to rank. They'll grade us based on how pretty we are, our singing skill, dancing skill, and then add it up and give us a percentage. That's so dystopian," Raj remarked. Bannerman echoed the sentiment, noting the mental strain such attitudes create. These experiences place Katseye in the midst of a broader conversation about the treatment of women and minorities in the entertainment industry—and the uniquely toxic brew that can result when fame, social media, and cultural biases collide.
Despite the negativity, Katseye’s professional trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary. Their second EP, Beautiful Chaos, soared to number two on the US album charts in 2025, powered by the brash, infectious single "Gnarly" and the Charli XCX-penned follow-up "Gabriella." "Gnarly" in particular has been a lightning rod for both criticism and acclaim. Released in April, the song is a two-minute-and-seventeen-second burst of chaotic beat drops and gang vocals that divided opinion but ultimately racked up more than half a billion streams. As The New York Times put it, the single is "the future of K-pop."
Katseye’s viral moment came in August, when a Gap advertisement featuring the group amassed 400 million plays and an eye-popping 8 billion social media impressions. "Isn't there only 7 billion people in the world?" joked singer Megan Skiendiel, a Chinese-Singaporean American from Honolulu, when presented with the statistic. The ad’s choreography, which the group mastered in a single day, became a symbol of their work ethic and unity—a far cry from the grueling early days of their two-year training bootcamp, where even the sound of their synchronized steps was subject to critique. "It's got to sound like one person walking down the stairs. It can't sound like a group of people falling down the stairs," they were told during rehearsals.
The payoff for their relentless discipline has been significant. In September 2025, Katseye clinched the best performance award at the MTV Awards. Less than two months later, they made history as only the third girl group to receive a Grammy nomination for best new artist, joining the ranks of SWV and Wilson Phillips. The group’s six members, whose ages range from 17 to 22, represent a tapestry of backgrounds: Daniela Avanzini, a Venezuelan-Cuban American from Atlanta; Lara Raj, an Indian-Sri Lankan American from New York; Manon Bannerman from Zurich; Megan Skiendiel from Honolulu; Sophia Laforteza from Manila; and Yoonchae Jeung from South Korea.
Katseye’s diversity is not just a point of pride—it’s central to their mission. Melanie C, the former Spice Girl, hosted a London showcase for the band last month and drew a direct comparison to her own group’s legacy. "Something about the Spice Girls was so many people felt they could identify with one of us," she said. "And I think that's so beautiful about [the diversity of] your band: You open that door even further for so many people." Bannerman told the BBC, "It's our number one priority to show the girlies out there to be proud of where they come from, no matter what they look like."
Raj, despite being the focus of much of the vitriol, has a message for aspiring musicians from under-represented backgrounds: "Please do it. You cannot feel held back. Our skin colour, our culture is our power. Use it and own it." For Katseye, representation is more than a buzzword—it’s a call to action. The group hopes their visibility will inspire young women everywhere to embrace their heritage and appearance, turning what some see as obstacles into sources of strength.
The group’s journey has not been easy, and the online abuse shows no signs of abating. Yet, Katseye’s resilience, talent, and commitment to diversity have set them apart in a crowded pop landscape. As their star continues to rise, they remain determined to use their platform for empowerment—proof that even in the face of adversity, music can be both a shield and a beacon.
