Highlights
- KATSEYE performs Pinky Up on the stage as the group blasts forward ahead of many to win the Best New Artist in the AMAs.
- The group expressed their gratitude to Bang Si-hyuk, HYBE Founder and Chairman, as well as BTS, for the dissemination of a global culture.
- KATSEYE will soon launch their new EP, Wild, in August as the group prepares itself for a tour run.
KATSEYE wins American Music Award for the first time. On Monday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the group received this honor while also performing one of the ceremony's most elaborate acts with their latest song Pinky Up, which ended with a big win that solidified their place as one of the most compelling new forces of the pop genre.
The group's Pinky Up performance included a traditional tearoom aesthetic with a high-energy EDM transition. The current five-member group, including Daniela, Lara, Megan, Sophia, and Yoonchae, made a dramatic entrance. The members emerged from oversized pink teddy bear props, sending the audience at the MGM Grand arena into a frenzy.
EJAE Introduces KATSEYE at American Music Awards 2026
KATSEYE’s performance at the AMAs was introduced by EJAE and Rei Ami of KPop Demon Hunters fame. "Tonight already feels golden, and it's about to get even better," EJAE said while introducing the group. This was a potential nod to the groups' evolving mutual orbit, which included a joint performance of Golden during KATSEYE’s Coachella set in April.
KATSEYE thanks BTS during AMA speech, acknowledges Bang Si-hyuk’s guidance
KATSEYE’s win came against a competitive field which spanned Alex Warren, Ella Langley, Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, and Sombr. Accepting the award, Yoonchae, the group's sole Korean member, spoke in Korean, “I feel so thankful for being able to celebrate this moment with the members.” Additionally, Lara framed the bigger picture by saying, “We've always been on a mission to celebrate diversity and represent our people and our culture.”
Leader Sophia thanked HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and the group collectively credited BTS, who were also present at the ceremony, and won the Artist of the Year and the Song of the Summer. “They inspired us to express our culture globally,” the group reportedly said.
Who are the members of KATSEYE? How was it formed?
HYBE girl group KATSEYE was formed in collaboration with Geffen Records through a global audition Dream Academy, which drew 120,000 participants. Since then KATSEYE has built a global fanbase, especially across North America, Latin America, and Europe, in just under two years. The group has charted many of their songs on Billboard's Hot 100, per Korea Herald, with their current track Pinky Up, released April 9, debuting at No. 28 on the chart. The song, however, at the moment ranks at No. 76. The group originally debuted with six members: Daniela, Lara, Megan, Sophia, Yoonchae, and Manon, however, Manon has been on hiatus since February for health reasons.
KATSEYE: Additional AMAs 2026 nominations and upcoming tour and EP launch
The group was also nominated for the honors of Breakthrough Pop Artist and Best Music Video for Gnarly. Additionally, their EP Wild will be dropping on August 14, followed by a global tour in September. Monday's performance was KATSEYE’s first major awards stage appearance since the Grammys. Notably, that was perhaps the last time when all six members performed together before Manon Bannerman announced her hiatus.
