A recent feature from a major entertainment publication has created fresh confusion about Manon Bannerman’s future with the global girl group KATSEYE. The report, which appeared to confirm her departure from the group, has left many questioning its accuracy.
On August 4, 2026, Variety released its “Young Hollywood Impact Report 2026,” a list highlighting influential entertainment figures between the ages of 18 and 28. The feature included several HYBE-affiliated artists, such as rookie boy group CORTIS, LE SSERAFIM member Huh Yunjin, and KATSEYE.
The section dedicated to KATSEYE quickly drew attention for a noticeable reason: only the five active members were pictured, with Manon absent from the feature. The accompanying text appeared to go further by explicitly referencing Manon’s exit.
“Despite the departure of member Manon Bannerman in February, KATSEYE has soldiered on as one of the premier girl groups in contemporary pop music.”
This line led many readers to believe that Variety was confirming Manon’s exit as an established fact.
Fans Question the Report’s Accuracy
Despite the apparent confirmation, a significant number of fans remain unconvinced. Many have pointed out that the same Variety profile contained an error that undermines its credibility.
Some fans noted that the article incorrectly suggested Manon was not part of KATSEYE when the group received a Grammy nomination. This factual inaccuracy has led many to question whether the publication relied on incorrect information or editorial mistakes rather than official confirmation from HYBE or Geffen Records.
Social media users quickly expressed their frustration. One fan wrote, “Why is Variety writing this as if the Grammy nomination and performance had nothing to do with Manon? We’re tired of seeing them try to erase her”. Another added, “Variety released an article mentioning that Manon has departed the group. However, they chose to make it obvious they are on Hybe X Geffen payroll by excluding Manon when mentioning the group’s Grammy’s performance, which she was actually a part of”.
No Official Confirmation From HYBE or Geffen
As of now, neither HYBE, Geffen Records, nor KATSEYE has officially announced that Manon has permanently left the group. The report therefore remains unverified by the companies involved.
The confusion stems from the fact that Manon has been on a temporary hiatus since February 2026. At that time, HYBE and Geffen announced that she would be stepping back “to focus on her health and wellbeing”. The statement said, “After open and thoughtful conversations together, we are sharing that Manon will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing”.
Since then, Manon has not participated in group activities. KATSEYE performed at Coachella in April 2026 as a five-member group, and their upcoming EP “WILD,” scheduled for release on August 14, 2026, is also a five-member release.
Members Address Manon’s Status During Fan Interaction
Adding to the uncertainty, KATSEYE members recently addressed Manon’s status during a fan interaction, further fueling discussion among fans.
Four members — Lara, Megan, Yoonchae, and Daniela — met with a young fan named Mia, who has been battling a rare disease. During the meeting, Mia gave the members six matching bracelets and asked the question many fans have been wondering: “Is she coming back in the group?”
Lara responded carefully, saying it was “hard to say” anything about the situation. She added, “But we love her, and we’ll give her your love”.
The exchange quickly spread across social media. Many fans praised Lara for handling the question with kindness. However, the interaction also reignited anger toward HYBE x Geffen. Some fans accused the company of allowing unnecessary speculation to continue by not providing clearer information.
One fan reaction read, “lara saying ‘thats not our thing to say’ and one of the girls said ‘we dont know’ those girls are literally getting played in their faces they dont know shit”. Another simply wrote, “hxg is going to super hell”.
Mixed Signals From the Group and Members
The situation has been further complicated by statements from the members themselves. In a recent interview, Lara Raj confirmed that fans will continue to see Manon on screen in the group’s upcoming Netflix documentary, “Wild Hearts”.
“She will forever be an integral part of KATSEYE. She is included in the film… and it’s lovely. We are so happy to see it,” Lara said.
This statement suggests that Manon remains an important part of the group’s story, even if her current status is unclear. The documentary, which follows the group’s journey from their formation through the survival series “The Debut: Dream Academy” to global stardom, features Manon’s journey throughout.
However, other reports have indicated that Manon is not featured on the forthcoming EP “Wild” and has no plans to join the group’s upcoming world tour. A source confirmed to Us Weekly in April that Manon had no plans to return.
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What This Means for KATSEYE Fans
For now, the situation remains unclear. Variety’s report has intensified speculation, but many fans are choosing to wait for an official statement before treating the report as confirmation.
Until HYBE, Geffen Records, or Manon herself addresses the situation directly, questions surrounding her status in KATSEYE remain unresolved. The group continues to promote as five members, with their new EP “WILD” dropping on August 14 and their documentary “Wild Hearts” premiering on Netflix soon.
What is clear is that Manon Bannerman, who represented Switzerland during Dream Academy and quickly became a fan favourite, remains a significant part of KATSEYE’s story. Whether she will return to active promotions with the group is a question that only time — and an official announcement — can answer.
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