Manon Bannerman of the global girl group KATSEYE is taking a temporary step back from promotions. The announcement, made late Friday, February 20, confirms the Swiss-born member will pause her activities to prioritize her personal health and wellness.
This news comes at a high point in KATSEYE’s career. The group recently performed at the Grammy Awards and earned nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
The announcement was shared on KATSEYE’s fan platform, Weverse, at 6:45 p.m. ET.
HYBE and Geffen Records confirmed that the decision was made collectively and amicably after ‘open and thoughtful conversations together.” The official statement states that Manon will pause all group activities to “focus on her health and well-being.”
The labels said that they “fully support this decision” and debunked rift rumors. They added that KATSEYE “remains committed to showing up for one another” and for the fans who support them.
Despite Manon’s temporary absence, members—Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung—will continue with all scheduled group activities.
Later, Manon personally addressed concerned fans on Weverse, saying she is “healthy,” “okay,” and “taking care of herself.” The 23-year-old singer added, “Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I am trusting the bigger picture.” She thanked fans for “checking in” and standing by her side.
Many fans believe that the reason for this unexpected hiatus might be the demanding schedules and intense pressure. Manon has been notably open about the cultural shock of the American and K-pop industry standards regarding work ethic. In a recent interview with New York magazine, she addressed her health struggles directly. “I get sick all the time,” she revealed.
She said American culture is all about “grind and hustle.” She explained that in Switzerland, illness means taking a day off without question.
Furthermore, the group has also been open about the impact of online harassment on their mental health. In a previous interview with the BBC, the members revealed they had received death threats and relentless harassment since their debut. At the time, Manon described the experience as “very terrorizing on the mind.”
On the work front, Manon’s group, KATSEYE, released the single Internet Girl last month, which earned them their highest Billboard HOT 100 debut. They are set to release a new EP soon.