Sophia Laforteza of global girl group KATSEYE has spoken out to clear the air after a moment on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The incident led some fans to speculate about tension between Sophia and fellow member Daniela. However, the Filipino-American singer says the narrative is completely unfounded.
The situation unfolded during a fan Q&A segment on the show. When Daniela was asked which member she would like to Freaky Friday Swap with. She chose Sophia and replied, “Just because she’s really good at lying…” and she wants to know “How she does it?” Daniela wondered how she keeps a “straight face” and she can not tell if “she is being for real or not.”
The comment immediately caught viewers’ attention, especially after cameras captured Sophia’s surprised reaction on live television.
Why Daniela’s Comment Sparked Backlash
Following the broadcast, clips of the exchange spread rapidly on social media. Many fans criticized Daniela’s word choice as “shady” or an inappropriate jab at the group’s leader. Online commenters argued that calling someone a “good liar” is not a compliment and reflects poorly on Daniela.
As online discussion intensified, rumors about a possible rift between the two members began to grow.
Sophia Explains the Inside Joke
In a post on Weverse, Sophia directly addressed the controversy and shut down any rumors of real conflict. According to her, the comment was never meant to be taken seriously and stemmed from the group’s private dynamics.
Sophia explained, “I am bummed that people are not understanding the context and jokes around what Daniela said to me recently.” The 23-year-old singer also assured EYEKONs that she “wasn’t bothered or hurt” and “understood what she meant right away.”
She asked fans to not criticize her, “Please leave my Dani alone, she is one of the sweetest girls in my life, adding, “Its’ all love.”
Sophia further said, “Let’s just be nice y’all, hating on others, especially other women, is not cute.”
The moment also highlighted the pressures KATSEYE faces as a global group under constant public scrutiny. Both Sophia and fellow member Manon have recently spoken about how they rely on each other to navigate the challenges that come with fame.
By addressing the situation head-on, Sophia effectively put an end to the rumors surrounding the Fallon moment.
On the work front, KATSEYE received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist but lost to British singer Olivia Dean. They are preparing to release a new album after dropping their single, Internet Girl, last month.
