While KATSEYE celebrates the biggest commercial triumph of its career, leader Sophia Laforteza is spending her days far from rehearsals, red carpets and promotional appearances.
The 23-year-old singer is reportedly visiting Disneyland, baking and painting as she works toward recovering her mental health. Her mother, Filipino theater performer Carla Guevara-Laforteza, has now offered fans a rare glimpse inside Sophia's private life during her absence from the group.
"She goes to Disneyland every day; she's baking, she's painting," Carla told Vogue Philippines. "She's literally doing everything to get mentally well."
The update may sound almost storybook-Disney rides, homemade treats and afternoons spent painting-but it follows a serious intervention. HYBE x Geffen announced on August 7 that medical professionals had recommended "extended rest and ongoing care" for Sophia. Her condition is expected to be reassessed in September, although no return date has been promised.
Sophia acknowledged that stepping away was painful because she loves performing with KATSEYE. Nevertheless, she said she had learned that her health must come first if she wants to sustain the career she has worked so hard to build. She encouraged EYEKONS to keep supporting the other members and promised to focus on returning stronger.
Her mother's message was equally tender.
"I'll be here to catch you when you fall," Carla said. "Anytime you can come home, anytime you can call me, but I want you to find your own happiness."
The timing of Sophia's hiatus could hardly be more bittersweet. KATSEYE's new album, WILD, has reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, reportedly earning 145,000 equivalent album units. It is the group's first chart-topping album and the biggest sales week of its career. KATSEYE also became the first non-K-pop girl group to reach the summit since Danity Kane in 2008.
Yet Sophia is watching that milestone unfold from the sidelines.
Her absence has been conspicuous during a pivotal promotional period that includes the release of WILD, the group's KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS documentary and preparations for its forthcoming world tour. She had already missed appearances including the documentary's Los Angeles premiere and KATSEYE's performance at the Hinterland Music Festival.
Sophia's break also means that two of KATSEYE's six members are currently away from the group. Manon Bannerman began her own health-related hiatus in February, leaving Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung to carry the present promotional campaign.
That reality has inevitably fueled questions about the extraordinary pressure facing the members of a group built through the K-pop training system but marketed across the global pop industry. KATSEYE's rise has been dizzying: viral hits, major brand partnerships, Grammy recognition, festival appearances and now a No. 1 album. Behind the polished choreography, however, two members have required extended time away within the same year.
Sophia has also previously spoken about living with ADHD and how it affects her daily life. Her current hiatus was officially described more broadly as a decision to prioritize her "mental health and wellness," and neither Sophia nor her family has disclosed a specific diagnosis or triggering event.
For now, her mother's update suggests that recovery is intentionally ordinary. Instead of rushing between dance rehearsals and interviews, Sophia is filling her days with activities that offer creativity without professional pressure. Painting allows her to create without charts or critics; baking produces something enjoyable without a performance deadline; Disneyland lets her temporarily become a visitor rather than the attraction everyone is watching.
It is a striking contrast: KATSEYE is reaching No. 1 while its leader is learning to slow down.
The unanswered question is whether Sophia will be ready to return after her September reassessment-and whether she will rejoin the group in time for its major upcoming commitments. Her label has emphasized that her health, safety and long-term well-being take priority, making any immediate comeback far from guaranteed.
Sophia may be absent from KATSEYE's public celebrations, but Carla's update reassures fans that she has not disappeared. She is resting, creating and enjoying time away from the machinery of global pop.
Sometimes reaching the top of the charts and feeling well enough to enjoy it are two very different achievements.
