Katseye's Sophia Laforteza to Rejoin Group in January 2027 After Mental Health Hiatus

KATSEYE has spent the fall promoting its third EP and touring Europe as a quartet, with two of its six members on hiatus. On Thursday, HYBE x Geffen gave fans a concrete date for one of those absences to end: Sophia Laforteza will resume group activities during the first week of January 2027, according to a statement posted to the group's Weverse community page.

"Sophia has been prioritizing her health and well-being with our full support and resources," the label said in the notice, which was also shared on KATSEYE's Instagram Story. The announcement confirms that Sophia will not participate in the North American leg of the group's Wildworld Tour, nor in promotional activities for the remainder of 2026. "We look forward to welcoming her back as KATSEYE continues this next chapter together in 2027," the statement continued.

Sophia first stepped away from the group in August, with HYBE x Geffen saying she was taking personal time to focus on her health. In a message to fans on her Instagram Story, she addressed the break directly. "It hasn't been easy," she wrote, according to Billboard. "But I have been putting in the work by receiving the care I need, learning the tools to better support myself, and doing everything I can to nurture my well-being."

The singer said she plans to continue training during her time away and hopes to return "happier, healthier, stronger, more grounded." She also asked fans to keep supporting her bandmates in her absence. "I can't wait to share the stage with my sisters again and look out to all of you," she wrote.

Sophia's return date arrives as KATSEYE continues to operate without her and fellow member Manon Bannerman, who has been on hiatus since February with no update on her future participation. The group has continued to notch milestones in their absence, including its first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with the EP "Wild" in August and a musical guest slot on the season premiere of "Saturday Night Live."

The North American leg of the Wildworld Tour is set to begin next week in Miami and will visit Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles before wrapping in Mexico City on Nov. 27. Sophia will not appear at those dates, but the label's statement framed her January return as a celebration. "We are incredibly grateful to EYEKONS for the continued love, support, and understanding you've shown Sophia and KATSEYE," it read. "Thank you for standing by her, and we look forward to celebrating her return with you in the new year."