KATSEYE is facing another major shake-up - and this time it is the group's leader, Sophia Laforteza, who is stepping away from the spotlight.
The 23-year-old Filipino-American singer has announced a temporary hiatus from KATSEYE's promotional activities, saying she needs to prioritize her mental health and overall wellness.
And the decision apparently wasn't made lightly.
HYBE x Geffen confirmed on August 7 that Sophia has been receiving professional support and that, following consultations with medical professionals, she has been advised to take an extended period of rest and ongoing care. Her condition is expected to be reassessed in September.
Sophia then addressed fans herself - and made it clear that being forced to sit on the sidelines is painful.
"It truly breaks my heart to have to miss out on a lot," she wrote, explaining that performing and sharing moments with KATSEYE's fans, known as EYEKONS, remains something she deeply loves.
But Sophia acknowledged that she has reached a point where her health has to take priority.
"Making this decision wasn't easy, but I'm learning that health has to come first," she said, adding that taking care of her mind and body now is necessary if she wants to continue performing for years to come.
The announcement comes after there had already been signs that something wasn't right.
Sophia sat out KATSEYE's appearance at the Hinterland Music Festival in Iowa on July 30 because of illness, with HYBE x Geffen saying at the time that she was resting and concentrating on recovery. She was also noticeably absent from the Los Angeles premiere of the group's new documentary, KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS, where fellow member Lara Raj reportedly explained that Sophia was "not feeling well."
Now fans know her absence will last longer than originally hoped.
And the timing could hardly be more dramatic for one of pop music's fastest-rising groups.
Sophia's hiatus was announced just before KATSEYE's new EP, WILD, arrived on August 14, while the group is also preparing for its WILDWORLD Tour, scheduled to begin September 1 in Dublin. Because Sophia is not due to be reassessed until September, it remains unclear exactly when she will be able to return to the stage.
But there is another complication: Sophia is now the second KATSEYE member to step away from group activities in 2026.
Manon Bannerman began her own temporary hiatus in February to focus on her health and well-being. That means KATSEYE, originally launched as a six-member group, has recently been operating with Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung carrying scheduled appearances.
Sophia has also previously spoken publicly about her personal mental-health journey. Forbes reported that she revealed earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with ADHD around the time KATSEYE debuted in 2024.
Still, fans shouldn't interpret Sophia's latest announcement as a goodbye.
She promised supporters that she intends to concentrate on healing and "come back stronger," while encouraging EYEKONS to continue supporting the other KATSEYE members during her absence.
For a group riding enormous momentum, losing its leader from promotional activities - while another member is already on hiatus - is certainly a setback.
But Sophia's message is clear: the stage can wait. Her health cannot.
