Who Is Sophia Laforteza? Meet KATSEYE's Filipina Leader, From Dream Academy to Her 2027 Return

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.

KATSEYE Give Crucial Update on Sophia Laforteza’s Return: ‘We Can’t Wait For Her to Come Back’https://t.co/XEUBTlB9E3

— billboard (@billboard) October 19, 2026

KATSEYE teased Sophia's return 2 months after she announced a hiatus: “We are so happy that she's coming back.” https://t.co/6fVPO4ZzYO pic.twitter.com/VIF4jklfQG

— E! News (@enews) October 19, 2026

Animal live just hits different 🐾

Animal (Live from THE WILDWORLD TOUR) out now: https://t.co/Xv1Mb8xFvz#KATSEYE #KATSEYE_Animal pic.twitter.com/cYrnuC3vbS

— KATSEYE (@katseyeworld) October 14, 2026

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.