KATSEYE Announces Sophia’s Return to Group Activities

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Sophia Laforteza of KATSEYE at the 68th GRAMMY Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Gilbert Flores/Billboard

HYBE x Geffen announced Thursday, Oct. 8, that Sophia will resume group activities with KATSEYE during the first week of January 2027.

“Sophia has been prioritizing her health and well-being with our full support and resources,” the company stated on Weverse. She will skip KATSEYE’s North American WILDWORLD tour dates and promotional duties for the rest of 2026.

“We look forward to welcoming her back as KATSEYE continues this next chapter together in 2027,” the company added. “We are incredibly grateful to EYEKONS for the continued love, support, and understanding you’ve shown Sophia and KATSEYE. Thank you for standing by her, and we look forward to celebrating her return with you in the new year.”

Sophia posted an update for EYEKONS on her Instagram Story regarding her time away.

“It hasn’t been easy,” she wrote. “But I have been putting in the work by receiving the care I need, learning the tools to better support myself, and doing everything I can to nurture my well-being.”

Sophia stated that she plans to keep training during her break. She noted that while she wishes she could simply push through, she recognizes that taking a step back enables her to move forward.

Her goal is to return happier, healthier, stronger, more grounded, and ready to perform.

“I can’t wait to share the stage with my sisters again and look out to all of you!” Sophia wrote, while asking EYEKONS to continue supporting her bandmates. “Please continue to support and cheer on my girls!!!”

Sophia initially announced her hiatus in August, when HYBE x Geffen stated she would take personal time to focus on her health with an extended period of rest and a later reassessment of her condition.

Bandmate Manon Bannerman has also been on a break since February, and no update has been issued regarding her future participation in the group.

Despite the absences of Sophia and Manon, KATSEYE reached a milestone in August by securing its first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with its third EP, WILD. The group launched its WILDWORLD tour in Europe and the U.K. the following month, and its North American leg opens next week in Miami before visiting Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and concluding in Mexico City on Nov. 27.

The complete statement from HYBE x Geffen appears below.