There's no 'bad blood' between KATSEYE and Manon! Sophia finally addresses the future of the group's missing member

For months, one question has loomed over KATSEYE's fandom: Is Manon coming back?

Ever since Manon Bannerman, the only black member of the group, stepped away from group activities earlier this year, EYEKONS have found themselves split down the middle. While many fans continue to champion patience, others have grown frustrated by the lack of updates.


As Manon missed comeback promotions, major performances, brand activities, interviews, and some of the group's biggest career milestones, fans are unsure about her current standing in the group. Some fans have even argued that HYBE and Geffen should officially confirm her departure if a return is not being planned. Now, after months of speculation, KATSEYE leader Sophia Laforteza has finally spoken about the situation.

In a new interview with Allure, Sophia acknowledged the questions fans have been asking while making it clear that neither the members nor the public should pressure Manon into returning before she's ready.

"Because we did announce that it is about her well-being, it's not our place or anybody else's place to rush her," Sophia said. "We want to give her all the time that she needs, all the space that she needs."


The KATSEYE leader stressed that the group is intentionally avoiding making assumptions or promises about timelines, explaining that Manon deserves the freedom to make decisions at her own pace.



"We don't want to make any assumptions or set anything in stone. She really deserves that, and the door is always open," Sophia continued.

Perhaps most importantly, Sophia emphasised that there is no bad blood between Manon and the group.

"We love her, and the fans love her. The people love her. They love KATSEYE."

Addressing the growing impatience within parts of the fandom, Sophia admitted that she understands why fans are searching for answers but urged them to continue showing compassion.

"What we can say is that we wish that you could just keep extending love and support and patience and all those things, because all of us deserve that."

On February 20, 2026, HYBE x Geffen announced that Manon would be taking a temporary hiatus from KATSEYE to focus on her "health and wellbeing". The companies said the decision was made after "open and thoughtful conversations" and that the group would continue activities as five members while supporting her recovery.

However, the announcement did not include a return timeline, immediately sparking speculation among fans. Shortly afterward, Manon appeared to suggest that the situation was more complex than the official statement indicated, though she reassured supporters that she was doing okay.


Since then, neither Manon nor the companies have provided a concrete update on her return, making Sophia's recent comments the clearest indication yet that KATSEYE still sees a future with her in the group.

Manon's hiatus has coincided with one of the busiest and most successful periods of KATSEYE's career.

The singer was absent during promotions for the group's recent releases, leaving fans to watch new music videos, major events, and performances unfold without one of the original six members. She also missed multiple social media campaigns that helped define the group's latest era.



Perhaps the most talked-about absence came when KATSEYE made their highly anticipated Coachella debut. The performance marked a major milestone not only for the group but also for HYBE's growing global ambitions, making Manon's absence especially noticeable. Fans flooded social media with messages of support while also questioning whether she would eventually rejoin the lineup.

Manon's absence has extended far beyond Coachella. Since stepping back in February, she has missed KATSEYE's Pinky Up era entirely, including teaser releases, the music video, festival stages, interviews, and multiple promotional campaigns. Fans also noted that she was not involved in several HYBE-related collaborative projects, including the much-discussed Iconic by Mistake collab with LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT. Coupled with changes to her social media profiles and her continued exclusion from official group promotions, these developments have fuelled questions about whether her hiatus is truly temporary or a sign of a larger shift.


At the moment, there is still no official return date.

What Sophia's comments do provide, however, is the clearest indication yet that the group has not closed the chapter on Manon. Rather than hinting at a permanent exit, Sophia repeatedly emphasised on the fact that "the door is always open".

For now, that leaves fans with an answer that is both hopeful and frustrating. Manon has not returned, but according to KATSEYE's leader, she still has a place waiting for her whenever she's ready.