On February 20, 2026, the world of pop music was shaken by the announcement that Manon Bannerman, a founding member of the global girl group KATSEYE, would be stepping back from her duties to focus on her health and wellbeing. The news, delivered across KATSEYE’s official social media channels and their Weverse fan community, immediately sent ripples through their devoted fanbase, known as EYEKONS, and reignited conversations about the pressures faced by young stars in the spotlight.
KATSEYE, a six-member group comprising Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung, rose to international fame after being formed on the 2023 reality competition series The Debut: Dream Academy and later chronicled in the Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE in 2024. Since then, the group has become a fixture on the global pop scene, releasing two acclaimed EPs—SIS (Soft Is Strong) in 2024 and Beautiful Chaos in 2025—and landing multiple singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
The official statement announcing Manon’s hiatus, signed jointly by the group’s management at HYBE and Geffen Records, was heartfelt and clear. “After open and thoughtful conversations together, we are sharing that Manon will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing,” the message read. “We fully support this decision. 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. Thank you to our EYEKONS for your continued love, patience, and understanding.”
For fans and industry watchers alike, the announcement was both a surprise and, in some ways, a reflection of the intense scrutiny and pressure that comes with modern pop stardom. In a candid November 2025 interview with the BBC, the members of KATSEYE revealed the darker side of their meteoric rise, sharing that they had received “thousands” of death threats online. “No human is supposed to receive that much feedback on something that they've created, and so we're learning to do what we want, work as hard as we can, know that we just did something we love and try to stay off of that and not have that be our validation or the reason why we do what we do,” Sophia Laforteza, 23, told the BBC. Manon Bannerman added that even their families and friends had not been spared from the vitriol, highlighting the far-reaching impact of internet culture on artists’ mental health.
Despite these challenges, KATSEYE has seen extraordinary highs. In January 2026, the group received two Grammy nominations—Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their single “Gabriela”—cementing their status as breakout stars. Their performance of “Gnarly,” co-written by Alice Longyu Gao, at the Grammy Awards earlier this month was met with widespread acclaim and marked a milestone in their journey from hopeful trainees to international icons.
Manon Bannerman’s own path to stardom is emblematic of the group’s diverse and global appeal. Born in Switzerland, she first gained attention posting fashion and lifestyle videos on TikTok and Instagram in 2021, before being selected as one of the final six members of KATSEYE. Her openness about the joys and challenges of fame has resonated with fans. At the 2026 Grammys, she reflected in an interview with E! News, “The biggest thing is we’re constantly supporting each other. That’s the one thing. Just constantly making sure that we’re all coming up on this crazy journey together and that we’re not leaving anybody behind. And we’re really taking it serious.” She added, “We’re always communicating with each other, checking in. That’s so important to us.”
Her gratitude for the group’s achievements was evident in a moving Instagram post on February 3, where she wrote, “Of all the places my younger self dreamed herself into… this one still doesn’t feel real. Getting to attend and perform at the Grammys, surrounded by artists and creatives I’ve looked up to for so long is something I’ll never take for granted. This moment isn’t just mine! It’s ours. For the little versions of us who didn’t always feel like we belonged. If you’re quietly working, doubting yourself, but still showing up… please keep going. You’re closer than you think.”
Musically, KATSEYE’s impact has been swift and significant. Their debut single “Debut” set the tone, followed by a string of hits including “Gnarly,” “Gabriela,” “Gameboy,” and “Internet Girl”—the latter debuting at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2026. Their creative collaborations have been a talking point, with Manon expressing to PEOPLE her desire to work again with Charli XCX, co-writer of “Gabriela.” “I just recently met her, and I think we all really hope to work with her more in the future. She’s definitely a KATSEYE girlie, and we’re in love with Brat and everything about her. She’s such an inspiration to us. We don’t know what the future holds, but we’re definitely, definitely super into that idea.”
Throughout the whirlwind of tours, awards, and chart success, the group’s message has remained consistent: support, solidarity, and self-care. As the statement about Manon’s hiatus made clear, the remaining members will continue with scheduled activities and performances, honoring both their commitments to fans and their promise to be there for each other. This approach reflects a growing awareness within the music industry about the importance of mental health, echoing similar stories from other artists who have chosen to step back from the limelight to prioritize their wellbeing.
The path forward for KATSEYE is, as always, uncertain—but the group’s resilience and unity shine through. For fans, Manon’s hiatus is a poignant reminder of the human beings behind the music, and for the industry, it’s another signal that the conversation around mental health is not just necessary but urgent. As KATSEYE navigates this new chapter, their message to the world remains one of empathy, strength, and hope.