KATSEYE has scored its biggest chart success yet with Animal, the second single from the group's upcoming EP Wild. The track, released on July 24, debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Global 200, marking the six-member girl group's first top-10 entry on the chart, according to Forbes.
Animal also debuted at number 12 on Streaming Songs, Digital Song Sales and Billboard Global Excl. U.S., pushing the group to new peaks on three charts and narrowly missing a top-10 debut on Digital Song Sales.
The milestone comes as two of KATSEYE's six members remain on hiatus. Daniela Avanzini, 22, Lara Raj, 20, Megan Skiendiel, 20, and Yoonchae Jeung, 18, are continuing group activities, while Manon Bannerman, 24, and Sophia Laforteza, 23, are taking time away.
Laforteza's hiatus announcement
Last week KATSEYE announced that lead singer Laforteza would be taking a hiatus from the group, citing mental health concerns. Both Laforteza and KATSEYE released statements about the temporary exit on their respective Instagram pages on Friday.
KATSEYE's statement said the group was very sorry to share that Sophia would be temporarily unable to participate in upcoming promotional activities, adding that fans understood how much they were looking forward to seeing her on stage, but that it was imperative her mental health and wellness be prioritized.
The group said Laforteza had been receiving the utmost support, and that following thorough consultations with medical professionals, it had been advised that she take dedicated time for extended rest and ongoing care to ensure a full recovery.
The announcement was signed by the group's record labels, HYBE and Geffen Records, and was also posted on the group's website. It stated that the health, safety and long-term well-being of the artists would always remain the labels' highest priority, and that they would continue to closely monitor Laforteza's progress and support her journey. The labels said they planned to reassess her condition in September and would share a further update with fans at that time.
Laforteza addressed her 5.6 million followers directly, writing that it truly broke her heart to have to miss out on so much, and that her fans knew how much she loved being on stage, performing and sharing those moments with them. She said making the decision was not easy, but that she was learning health has to come first, and that if she did not take care of her mind and body now, she would not be able to keep doing what she loves for long.
She thanked her fans for being patient, understanding and always showing her so much love, and vowed to work as hard as she could to get through this, heal properly and come back stronger.
EP, tour and documentary timing
The news came one week before the group's new EP, Wild, is set to be released on August 14. KATSEYE is also set to begin a sold-out world tour in September and is just days away from releasing its documentary film, KATSEYE: Wild Hearts, in theaters.
Bannerman's earlier hiatus
In February, Bannerman announced her own temporary hiatus to focus on her health and wellbeing, six months before Laforteza's announcement. Her exit sparked backlash from fans, who have been demanding answers about her future in KATSEYE for months.
Bannerman also fueled the controversy by contradicting her record label's public statement about her hiatus. While HYBE said she was taking a break to focus on her health, Bannerman herself wrote on the social media app WeVerse in February that she was healthy, okay and taking care of herself. She thanked fans for checking in, said things sometimes unfold in ways people don't fully control, and that she was trusting the bigger picture, adding that she loved her fans endlessly and could not wait to see them again.
Group history and recognition
The Los Angeles-based girl group was formed in 2023 during the reality competition series Dream Academy. Its first single, Debut, was released in 2024 and followed by a second single, Touch. The group's biggest hit, Gabriela, reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a nomination at the 2026 Grammy Awards for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The group was also nominated for Best New Artist, but the award went to British solo act Olivia Dean.
Last November, the group revealed it had hired a therapist to help members navigate the spotlight and death threats. Raj told Rolling Stone that she tries to tell herself it doesn't matter, but that if 1,000 people are sending death threats, even if it's not going to happen, it's heavy and it's jarring. Bannerman added that it is very terrorizing on the mind.
Continued success
Despite Bannerman's ongoing hiatus, the group has continued to chart multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits this year, including Pinky Up, Iconic By Mistake, and Animal. KATSEYE has also been added to the lineup of Olivia Rodrigo's all-female Daisy Chain Fields music festival, where the group will perform alongside Stevie Nicks, Karen O, Chappell Roan and Rodrigo.
