Manon Bannerman, from popular pop girl-group Katseye, has taken an indefinite hiatus as of Feb. 20, 2026 to focus on her health and well being, according to a statement posted by HYBE and Geffen Records. Shortly after the records’ statement, Bannerman released a statement of her own, which read, “Hi, friends, I want you to hear this from me: I’m healthy, I’m okay, and I’m taking care of myself. Thank [you] for checking in! Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I’m trusting the bigger picture. Thank you for standing by me. I love you endlessly and can’t wait to see you again.” Bannerman’s statement subsequently poked holes into the previous statement from her record labels, creating skepticism about the true intention of the pop star’s hiatus. While taking a break to focus on one’s physical and mental health is normal, especially in such a demanding industry, some fans are not buying it.
The six-member group Katseye, consisting of members Manon Bannerman, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung was created by the televised competition series, “The Debut: Dream Academy.” Bannerman, who is Swiss-Italian and Ghanian, was the last to join the group. Bannerman was the only member scouted directly by HYBE and Geffen, becoming the only member who was not scouted through Dream Academy. While this was a luxury for Manon, this created tension between the girls on the show, as some believed she didn’t need to try as hard to be the new addition to the group. In 2024, Katseye dropped their first EP “SIS” (Soft is Strong).
Since then, Katseye has been the target of a great push in popularity, becoming an It-girl group. They’ve dropped various charting pop hits, secured a brand deal with Pandora, featured in GAP and State Farm advertisements, announced their Coachella debut and even garnered two Grammy nominations, one being Best New Artist. However, with the spotlight also comes immense pressure. While all the girls became victims of this sudden onset of fame. Bannerman, as the only Black girl in the group, felt a unique weight on her shoulders. In an industry full of toxic dieting culture and beauty standards, it’s hard to fend for yourself when you are the only black girl within the industry. These tight-fitting standards, paired with constant accusations of being lazy due to missing rehearsals, most likely took a big toll on Bannerman’s mental health.
However, following both HYBE and Geffen Records and Bannerman’s statements, Bannerman has received an outpouring of support from fellow musicians and fans. During a performance at Blue Note NYC, Lizzo shouted out Bannerman, saying, “We love you and support you, girl. Take your time.” Melody Thornton, the Pussycat Dolls’ lone Black singer, posted a picture of Bannerman on Instagram with the caption, “We see you.” On the messaging application, Discord, Chloe Bailey wrote, “I’m so sad about Manon.” Fans of Katseye are also seen supporting Manon, posting primarily on TikTok, claiming Katseye won’t survive without Bannerman, and that she is the star of the group.
Bannerman has stayed quiet about the uproar in regards to her hiatus, but she liked a post, stating, “Another Black girl subjected to racism and label mistreatment yet again.” As of now, it is unclear whether or not Bannerman will return soon. However, the love she is receiving from fans and musicians alike proves that Black-female musicians are appreciated and needed, especially in an industry that has sculpted an inhospitable environment for Black artists to thrive.
