Los Angeles, CA – Manon Bannerman, a member of the internationally acclaimed girl group KATSEYE, is taking a health-focused hiatus, the group announced on February 13, 2026. This pause comes after a period of intense scrutiny and public discussion surrounding Bannerman’s health and operate ethic, issues that have followed the group since its formation through the Netflix docuseries “Popstar Academy: Katseye.”
KATSEYE, formed by Hybe Corporation and Geffen Records, rose to prominence following the release of their hit single “Touch” and their viral Gap advertising campaign in 2025, which garnered over 400 million views in just three days. The group – comprised of Bannerman, Yoonchae, Sophia Laforteza, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Daniela Avanzini – quickly became a global phenomenon. Still, Bannerman’s journey with the group has been marked by public challenges, including criticism regarding her attendance at rehearsals, and shows.
KATSEYE’s Rise and Manon Bannerman’s Challenges
The formation of KATSEYE was documented in “Popstar Academy: Katseye,” which premiered in 2024. The series offered a behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous training and selection process undertaken by Hybe and Geffen Records to create a globally successful girl group. While the show propelled KATSEYE to stardom, it also inadvertently highlighted instances where Bannerman missed rehearsals, sparking a wave of online criticism.
This criticism intensified when Bannerman was absent from certain performances due to illness. Fans online labeled her “lazy” and questioned her commitment to the group, a narrative that Bannerman recently addressed in an interview with The Cut. She explained that her frequent illnesses stem from cultural differences in work expectations. “I get sick a lot,” Bannerman stated, “It just has to do with how I was raised. America has a very different work culture. Here it’s all about the grind and hustle. If you’re sick in Switzerland [where she is from], you just take a day off. No one expects you to go to work.”
Bannerman also expressed the emotional toll of the online negativity, particularly as a Black woman. “Being called lazy, especially as a Black woman, is really unfair,” she said. “It feels like I always have to work extra hard to prove something, when I shouldn’t even have to.”
Broader Criticism Faced by KATSEYE
The scrutiny hasn’t been limited to Bannerman. Recent months have seen all members of KATSEYE facing significant online criticism, often laced with racism and misogyny. This broader pattern of negativity underscores the intense pressures faced by young women in the entertainment industry, particularly those navigating the complexities of global fame.
The Gap advertising campaign, which catapulted KATSEYE to international recognition in September 2025, also played a role in the group’s rapid ascent. The campaign’s success demonstrated the power of strategic marketing and the group’s immediate appeal to a wide audience. The members – Manon Bannerman, Yoonchae, Sophia Laforteza, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Daniela Avanzini – posed for portraits in Los Angeles on September 3, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in their careers.