If you've fallen for KATSEYE this year, you already know Sophia's voice. With her return to the group now set for January 2027, it's the perfect time to get to know the leader at the heart of one of pop's most talked-about girl groups. Here's everything to know.

Sophia's background

Sophia Laforteza grew up in Manila, and music runs in her family. Her mother, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, is a performer and singer, and Sophia started singing at just three years old, she told Billboard Philippines. "Since my mother is a performer and singer herself, I got to watch her as I was growing up," she said. Her family also encouraged her to take all kinds of dance classes.

Her dad is chef Godfrey Laforteza, and she was born on December 31, 2002, according to Inquirer POP!, which also reports she graduated from Multiple Intelligence International School in Quezon City in 2021. And yes, she's a fan too: the outlet says she loves BTS, TXT and LE SSERAFIM.

How KATSEYE was formed

KATSEYE came out of The Debut: Dream Academy, a competition from HYBE (the company behind BTS) and Geffen Records. Twenty candidates were chosen from 120,000 submissions, and the show aired on YouTube and the Japanese streaming service Abema, Variety reported. The final six were picked using a mix of fan votes and evaluators' scores.

Sophia was the only Filipina contestant, Billboard Philippines noted, and she was a standout. Rappler reports she placed second in Mission 1 with Paramore's "Still Into You," then ranked first in both Mission 2 (LE SSERAFIM's "ANTIFRAGILE") and Mission 3.

At the live finale in November 2023, she was the first name called, Rappler and Inquirer POP! report. "I've worked so hard to be here and I appreciate everybody who has voted for me and has supported me since day one," she said, per Rappler. She was joined by Lara, Daniela and Megan from the U.S., Yoonchae from South Korea and Manon from Switzerland. Inquirer POP! described her as HYBE's first Filipina talent.

"It's been such an honor representing the Philippines," Sophia told Billboard Philippines during the show. "I'm so excited for the Philippines to see me!"

Dream Academy vs. Pop Star Academy

Fans often mix these up. Dream Academy was the audition show itself. The story of how the group came together is told in the Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, directed by Nadia Hallgren, the filmmaker behind Becoming, according to Netflix.

KATSEYE's leader

Teen Vogue calls Sophia KATSEYE's leader. In August 2026, HYBE x Geffen announced she would step back from promotional activities so her "mental health and wellness" could come first. "Making this decision wasn't easy, but I'm learning that health has to come first," Sophia wrote to fans, per Teen Vogue. "I promise I'm going to work as hard as I can to get through this, heal properly, and come back stronger."

Her January 2027 return

On October 8, HYBE and Geffen confirmed that Sophia will resume group activities starting the first week of January 2027, Variety reported. She won't be part of the North American leg of THE WILDWORLD TOUR or the rest of this year's promotions.

Sophia shared her own message, too. "My hope is to return feeling happier, healthier, stronger, more grounded, and ready to give you everything I've been wanting to give you," she wrote on her Instagram Stories, per Variety. "I can't wait to share the stage with my sisters again and look out to all of you!"

Her bandmates are counting down with fans. Read what they said about her on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show red carpet: KATSEYE's Sophia Laforteza returns in January 2027.

Honestly? January can't come soon enough.

Eyekons, mark your calendars: Sophia is coming home.

KATSEYE's management and labels, HYBE and Geffen, announced that Sophia Laforteza will "resume group activities with Katseye beginning the first week of January 2027," Rolling Stone reported on October 8. And this weekend, her bandmates made it very clear how much they have missed her.

The official update

In August, Sophia announced she would step back from upcoming promotional activities to prioritize her "mental health and wellness," Variety reported. "Making this decision wasn't easy, but I'm learning that health has to come first," she said in a statement at the time, according to Rolling Stone.

In their notice, the labels said she has had their full support. "Sophia has been prioritizing her health and well-being with our full support and resources," the statement read, per Rolling Stone. "While Sophia will not be participating in THE WILDWORLD TOUR in North America, or promotional activities for the remainder of this year, we look forward to welcoming her back as Katseye continues this next chapter together in 2027."

Sophia's message to fans

Sophia also spoke to fans herself. About two months after her first statement, she thanked Eyekons on social media for their "patience, grace and understanding," Rolling Stone reported.

"Your kindness during this time has given me more strength than you know," she wrote on Instagram. "It hasn't been easy, 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."

It is a reminder of how much fan support can mean, and we are sending her nothing but love.

"She's our sister"

On Sunday, members Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung shared their support on the red carpet at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Variety reported. (Catch up on another big VS moment, Kylie Jenner's Fantasy Bra reveal.)

"We are so happy that she's coming back," Raj told E! News, speaking for the group, according to Variety. "We are so proud of her. I think she's really been so brave, and we respect her so much for taking the space and taking time for her health. She's our sister, so we can't wait for her to come back."

The tour goes on

Until then, the group is busy on the road. Variety reported that the Wildworld tour kicked off in Dublin on September 1 and made its first U.S. stop in Miami on October 13. The North American leg runs through November 28, according to Rolling Stone, with shows in cities including Boston, Montreal, Chicago, Los Angeles and Mexico City, per Variety.

Rolling Stone noted that member Manon Bannerman, who announced her own temporary hiatus in February, will also not take part in the North American dates. Variety said no announcement has been made about her return.

There is plenty for fans to enjoy in the meantime. The group's new documentary, Katseye: Wild Hearts, arrived on Disney+ and Hulu on October 16, Variety reported, picking up where the Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy: Katseye left off.

Counting down to January

KATSEYE first came together through the 2023 competition series Dream Academy, Variety noted. The bond the members showed on Sunday says it all: they are taking care of each other, and come January, Sophia will be back by their side.