KATSEYE used to have six members, but in February Manon Bannerman went on a hiatus that doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. And now the group is down to a quartet, as Sophia Laforteza is also stepping back from the Grammy-nominated group.
A message on the group’s Weverse page states that Sophia is “temporarily unable to participate in upcoming promotional activities” in order to prioritize her “mental health and wellness.” It goes on to say, “Sophia has been receiving the utmost support, and following thorough consultations with medical professionals, it has been advised that she take dedicated time for extended rest and ongoing care to ensure a full recovery.”
“While Sophia herself is eager to perform alongside her members, the health, safety, and long-term well-being of our artists will always remain our highest priority,” the message continues. “We will continue to closely monitor her progress and support her journey. We plan to reassess her condition in September and will share a further update with fans at that time.”
On her own Instagram Story, Sophia writes, “Making this decision wasn’t easy, but I’m learning that health has to come first. I’m realizing that if I don’t take care of my mind and body now, I won’t be able to keep doing what I love the most for so long.”
She adds, “I promise I’m going to work as hard as I can to get through this, heal properly, and come back stronger.”
Sophia’s exit comes at a key time for the group: Their third EP, WILD, is coming out Aug. 14; they just dropped the new single “Animal”; and their world tour is set to begin Sept. 1.
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