Sophia Laforteza, known to fans as Sophia of KATSEYE, has become a trailblazer as the first Filipina to debut with HYBE. As the leader of KATSEYE, the global girl group created by HYBE and Geffen Records, she represents a major step for diversity in K-pop.
The 22-year-old star proudly embraces her Filipino heritage and remains true to it, while rising as KATSEYE’s standout member.
In less than a year since their debut, the six-member group has accomplished milestones that usually take years—Billboard chart entries, festival stages, and international award nominations among them.
Without further ado, here is everything you need to know about Sophia’s life, career, and global impact.
Basic Info
- Full Name: Sophia Elizabeth Guevara Laforteza
- Birthday: December 31, 2002
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn (Western) and Horse (Chinese Zodiac)
- Nationality: Filipina-American (born in Queens, New York)
- Height: 167 cm (5’6″)
- MBTI: ENFP
From Dream Academy to KATSEYE
Sophia’s rise began on The Debut: Dream Academy, the international survival program launched by HYBE in 2023. She impressed viewers and judges throughout the show, never facing elimination during the three missions.
In the finale, she topped the global vote, ranking first in 62 countries and securing the overall No. 1 spot with 88.33 points. This secured her a spot in the final six, becoming a member of KATSEYE.
After the group’s formation, Sophia was officially named the leader. Since then, she has guided KATSEYE through their debut and early activities, including chart success, major performances, and growing international recognition.
Background and Training
Born in Queens, New York, Sophia comes from a family deeply connected to the arts. Her mother, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, is a well-known stage actress and singer, while her father, Basilio Godfrey Laforteza III, is a former dancer who has since built a successful career as an executive chef in Manila.
Surrounded by creativity, Sophia developed her skills early. She began singing at the age of three and later trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and musical theatre. She also excelled academically, graduating with highest honors in 2021 from the Multiple Intelligence International School, where she received 10 awards and 7 medals.
Achievements with KATSEYE
As a leader, Sophia has overseen KATSEYE’s rapid growth on the global stage. Their second EP, Beautiful Chaos, achieved strong results on Billboard charts, with the tracks Gnarly and Gabriela charting on Billboard HOT 100 for weeks.
KATSEYE has already locked in major milestones, including a confirmed performance at the 2025 MTV VMAs. This placed them on one of the biggest global stages just a year after their debut. Their first North American tour, The Beautiful Chaos, sold out quickly. They will begin their tour in Minneapolis on November 15 and close it with a grand finale in Mexico on December 16.
Facts About Sophia
- Sophia holds both Filipino and American citizenship but strongly identifies as Filipino.
- She is fluent in English and Tagalog.
- Sophia looks up to BTS’s V and LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yunjin as her role models.
- She is a huge fan of ENHYPEN and their discography.
- Her favorite vacation destination is Japan, which she especially loves when it snows.
- Things she can not live without are lip balm, headphones, and her dog Charlie.
- In 2022, she competed on Family Feud Philippines with her family.
- Her first television appearance was in 2008, when she joined her family on She Said She Said.
