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KATSEYE's Sophia Laforteza Returns in January 2027, and the Members Say 'She's Our Sister'

HYBE and Geffen confirmed Sophia will rejoin group activities the first week of January. On Sunday, her bandmates said they're 'so proud of her' and can't wait to have her back.

By , Editor in Chief · 4 min read

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Fact-checked by the House of Grey News Desk, sources linked below.

KATSEYE members in casual outfits arriving at KBS Music Bank in 2024, beside the headline about Sophia Laforteza's return
KATSEYE arriving at KBS Music Bank, September 2024. Photo: K-POPIT 케이팝잇 / TV10 / CC BY 3.0. Card by House of Grey. Full credits below.

Eyekons, mark your calendars: Sophia is coming home.

Variety quotes KATSEYE saying they're "so proud" of Sophia ahead of her return to the group.
E! News video: before the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Lara Raj shares how excited KATSEYE is for Sophia Laforteza's return.
KATSEYE's official account announcing the release of "Unloveu" and its official visualizer.

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."

Sophia Laforteza performing on stage
Sophia Laforteza on stage with KATSEYE in Seattle in December 2025. Photo: David Lee / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

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.

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FAQ

When is Sophia returning to KATSEYE?

HYBE and Geffen said she will 'resume group activities with Katseye beginning the first week of January 2027,' according to Rolling Stone.

Is Sophia on KATSEYE's North American tour?

No. The labels said she will not take part in the North American leg of THE WILDWORLD TOUR or other promotions for the rest of 2026, Rolling Stone reported.

What did KATSEYE say about Sophia's return?

Speaking for the group on Sunday, Lara Raj told E! News, 'We are so proud of her... She's our sister, so we can't wait for her to come back,' as reported by Variety.

How we fact-checked this

Every fact, figure and quote in this story was checked against the 2 sources linked below (Rolling Stone, Variety). Quotes appear as those sources reported them, anything unconfirmed is labeled as such, and the photos are Creative Commons licensed and credited.

Sources

Photo credits

  • KATSEYE arriving at KBS Music Bank, September 2024. Photo by K-POPIT 케이팝잇 / TV10, Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY 3.0.
  • Sophia Laforteza of KATSEYE on stage in Seattle, December 2025 (head-and-shoulders crop). Photo by David Lee, Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY 4.0.

Our story card adapts these photos (cropping, color and added text). The adapted card is shared under the same license terms as the source photo.

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