KATSEYE, the internationally known girl group formed through the reality competition series “The Debut: Dream Academy” in 2023, announced last week that Manon Bannerman, known professionally as Manon, will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her mental health and well-being.
The announcement was made at 6:45 p.m. EST Friday via a post on the KATSEYE fan community on Weverse, issued by HYBE and Geffen. The statement read: “After open and thoughtful conversations together, we are sharing that Manon will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing. We fully support this decision. KATSEYE remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us. The group will continue scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right. Thank you to our EYEKONS for your continued love, patience, and understanding.”
A few hours later, Manon reportedly addressed fans via Weverse direct messages, writing, “I’m healthy, I’m okay, and I’m taking care of myself. Thank u for checking in! Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I’m trusting the bigger picture.”
Manon, who was born in Switzerland, first rose to prominence in 2021 by sharing fashion and lifestyle content on TikTok and Instagram. As KATSEYE’s only Black member, her hiatus has sparked conversations among fans and within the industry about the unique challenges faced by Black women in pop groups. The situation has drawn comparisons to the experiences of Normani (Fifth Harmony), Leigh-Anne Pinnock (Little Mix), and Melody Thornton (The Pussycat Dolls), all of whom were also the sole Black members of their respective groups.
In a Feb. 17 interview with The Cut, Manon discussed the pressures she faces, saying, “Being called lazy, especially as a Black girl, is not fair. Now I feel like I always need to put in extra work to prove something, even though I really don’t.”
KATSEYE recently gained significant attention with the release of its debut EP, “Beautiful Chaos,” which earned the group its first two entries on the Billboard Hot 100: “Gnarly” (No. 82) and “Gabriela” (No. 26). “Gabriela” also received a Grammy nomination for best pop duo/group performance, though the award ultimately went to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s “Defying Gravity” on Feb. 1. The group was also nominated for best new artist, with Olivia Dean taking home the trophy.
Despite preparing for a Coachella debut in April, none of the other five KATSEYE members have publicly commented on Manon’s hiatus.
Following the announcement, several high-profile artists, including RAYE, London On Da Track, Halle Bailey, and Normani, showed public support for Manon by following her on Instagram.
—
This version follows AP style for dates, attributions, names, and overall structure, and upholds journalistic standards for accuracy, fairness, and clarity.