KATSEYE Hits Turmoil Amid Racism Scandal

'Singling out the only black girl of the group is not a good look. The racism is showing!!! The fans are not going to let this slide!' wrote another. 

It's not a competition of course, but Lara does bear the brunt of colorism in Katseye as the darkest member of the group – darker than Manon,' wrote a third. 'It's also impossible to deny the virulent racism directed toward Indians online. I wouldn't be surprised if Lara needed a mental break of her own.'

A fourth fan, who appeared to be referencing the group's reality show, wrote: 'Manon is just a lazy untalented mess. Get over it.'

Daily Mail has contacted KATSEYE's record label Hybe and Manon for comment. 

KATSEYE were formed through the reality TV competition show The Debut: Dream Academy by South Korean record label Hybe and American label Geffen Records. 

The group was created as a global version of a K-pop girl group, using a similar training system and style of music, but casting international members who could speak English and appeal to various demographics and regions. 

Six members ultimately made it into the lineup: Filipino Sophia Laforteza, 23, South Korean Yoonchae Jeung, 18, Chinese-Singaporean American Megan Skiendiel, 20, and Cuban-Venezuelan American Daniela Avanzini, 21, along with Indian-American Raj, 20, and Swiss-Ghanaian Bannerman.

While all of the members boasted a background in either singing or dancing before joining KATSEYE, Bannerman had only worked as a model. As a result, she was often ranked last by the show's judges as the other members were more experienced on stage.

She was also accused of regularly missing practice and rehearsals, which was a storyline on the group's Netflix reality series Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE.

After debuting in 2024, the group broke through in a major way with their 2025 single Gnarly, which became a global hit across the US, UK, Australia, and Asia. 

They followed it up with the hit Gabriela, which reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the group their second Grammy nomination.

Outside of music, KATSEYE have racked up major brand deals with Fendi, Coach, Laneige, and Gap. 

The group are currently working on new music after releasing two EPs and a standalone single.

They also have a number of major performances scheduled throughout the year, including Coachella and Lollapalooza.