Five members of global girl group KATSEYE pose in a line behind a translucent glass pane. They feature striking red and blonde hair transformations and wear moody, dark-toned fashion with clear vinyl jacket overlays and studded corset details.

KATSEYE leader Sophia Laforteza temporarily steps back from group activities to focus on mental health.

KATSEYE’s Sophia Goes on Hiatus Ahead of EP Rollout and Tour

The 23-year-old performer becomes the second member to pause group activities as KATSEYE gears up to promote its Wild EP and launch a global tour as a four-piece act.

09 AUG 2026, 08:07 AM

Highlights

HYBE confirmed that Sophia Laforteza will pause all activities on medical advice to focus on mental health and recovery.
Sophia is the second of the group's six members to step away, following bandmate Manon’s ongoing hiatus that began in February this year.
KATSEYE will potentially continue their The Tonight Show appearance, Wild’s August 14 release, and its September tour as a four-member act.

HYBE announced on Friday, August 7, that KATSEYE leader Sophia Laforteza will be temporarily stepping back from all upcoming promotional activities of the group. The agency stated that after consultations with medical professionals, the 23-year-old performer was advised to take personal time to rest and focus on her mental health and wellness.

Sophia addressed the hiatus directly in a statement posted to her Instagram Story. She wrote, "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 also said that making this decision was not easy, however, she is “learning that health has to come first.” Sophia further added that she plans to return to group activities when she is fully healed and has followed through with her recovery process.

KATSEYE Leader’s Hiatus: Lineup Reductions and Tour Strains

With Sophia temporarily departing, KATSEYE is left with just four active members, Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Yoonchae Jeung, and Megan Skiendiel. Notably, fellow member Manon, who also took a break in February 2026 to focus on her health, has not yet returned within the six-month period. In fact, HYBE has not yet issued an update regarding Manon either.

Sophia’s absence has also prompted some discussion amongst fans and ticket holders online. Notably, they asked if the admission prices for the upcoming live dates should be adjusted to reflect the reduced lineup. Before formally announcing her hiatus, Sophia had already sat out the group's recent appearance at the Hinterland Music Festival, which indicates that her withdrawal from live performances was possibly already underway.

A Disrupted Promotional Calendar Amidst Chart Success?

The roster alteration takes place during the group's peak promotional window of the year. KATSEYE is scheduled to perform at the 88rising Head in the Clouds Festival in Los Angeles on August 8 and make its musical debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on August 12.

The group is set to release its EP, Wild, on August 14, after eye-catching performances at Coachella and Governors Ball earlier this year. The album is led by the singles Pinky Up, which debuted at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Animal, which hit No. 24 on the same chart. As September approaches, KATSEYE is also scheduled to launch its Wildworld global tour early in the month.

Diya Mukherjee

Author

Diya Mukherjee is a Content Writer at Outlook Respawn with a postgraduate background in media. She has a passion for writing content and is enthusiastic about exploring cultures, literature, global affairs, and pop culture.