A lot of times with pop groups, a hiatus isn’t really a hiatus. Sometimes it’s a “we’re done with this, but leaving the smallest crack in the door just in case.” Often it’s a “we’re going solo.” Other times it’s a “there’s bad blood in the group.” So, when Manon Bannerman’s hiatus from KATSEYE was announced back in February, fan theories about what was really going on took off.
The nature of hiatuses (and the particularly vague way that Manon’s was announced) has meant that fans have been on the lookout for any clues about…well, anything to do with this. Now, KATSEYE has spoken out in a couple of new interviews, addressing rumors and assuring everyone that they don’t personally have any issues with their (former?) bandmate.
As a quick recap: In February, KATSEYE’s record labels posted a statement that Manon would “be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and well-being.”
Manon also shared her own statement in which she thanked fans for their support. “I’m healthy, I’m okay, and I’m taking care of myself,” she wrote on Weverse. “Thank u for checking in! Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I’m trusting the bigger picture.”
Now, four months have passed, and there’s no word on whether Manon will return to the group…even though she isn’t performing on their upcoming EP and isn’t confirmed for their upcoming tour.
But at long last in a new interview with Vanity Fair, KATSEYE addresses Manon’s hiatus, even responding to the rumor that it has to do with her race. She reportedly liked a post online about girl groups with only one Black member.
“We can definitely say that in our situation, in no way was it about race,” bandmate Sophia Laforteza said. “That goes against everything that we stand for.”
The members said that they keep in touch with Manon “here and there.” Lara Raj added, “The safest space that we had was within the six of us. People just have no idea what goes on. They just don’t. It’s nothing but love between us.”
In another recent interview, with Allure, KATSEYE made it clear that Manon is still a part of the group even if she isn’t currently involved.
“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, and so we don’t want to make any assumptions, set anything in stone… She really deserves that and the door is always open.”
The singer continued, “We love her and the fans love her. The people love her. They love KATSEYE. If I was in their place, I would be asking too, and so we understand. But 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. Anybody does.”
Meanwhile, Manon is still connecting with the fans that love her on social media. In a June 26 Instagram post about her 24th birthday, she wrote, “never been healthier, happier, or more grateful. grateful for the people who love me, care for me, make me laugh, and remind me what really matters. feeling very lucky to be here.”
