Last week on February 20, KATSEYE shook the global music industry by announcing that Manon, one of its most prominent members, would be taking a break to “focus on her mental health and well-being.” Hailing from Switzerland, Manon, full name Manon Bannerman, first gained fame through her fashion and lifestyle videos on TikTok and Instagram in 2021. Her departure has deeply affected KATSEYE fans, especially as she was the only black member of the group. This situation brings to light the racial injustices experienced by other artists such as Normani from Fifth Harmony, Leigh-Anne from Little Mix, and Melody Thornton from the Pussycat Dolls.
The announcement of Manon’s break was made through the KATSEYE fan community on Weverse at 6:45 pm EST in a message shared by HYBE and Geffen. The latter stated: “After open and thoughtful conversations, we announce that Manon will take a temporary break from group activities to focus on her health and well-being. We fully support this decision. KATSEYE remains committed to supporting each other and our fans. The group will continue with its scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right. Thank you to our EYEKONS for your love, patience, and understanding.”
A few hours later, Manon shared a statement via direct messages on Weverse, indicating that she was doing well and taking care of herself. While the group is currently preparing for their first concert at Coachella in April, none of the other KATSEYE members have spoken out about Manon’s break. In an interview on February 17, Manon had already expressed, “being called lazy, especially as a black woman, is not fair.”
Formed through the reality TV series “The Debut: Dream Academy” in 2023, KATSEYE quickly rose through the ranks of the music industry, gaining recognition with their EP “Beautiful Chaos” in 2025. This project notably helped the group achieve their first two successes on the Billboard Hot 100: “Gnarly” (No. 82) and “Gabriela” (No. 26). “Gabriela” also earned the group a Grammy Awards nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, ultimately losing to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, but KATSEYE also received a nomination for Best New Artist.
Following this announcement, several celebrities publicly showed their support for Manon by following her on Instagram, including RAYE, London On Da Track, Halle Bailey, and Normani.
###Key Points – Manon prioritizing her mental health, a often overlooked necessity in the music industry. – Discussions on racial inequalities in music are becoming more prevalent. – KATSEYE, despite being shaken, continues with their scheduled activities. – Celebrity support highlights the importance of solidarity in the artistic industry.
Having the opportunity to discuss mental health in such public contexts is crucial, as is addressing diversity in musical groups. Each of us has a role to play in combating prejudice and promoting equality. Personally, I feel a deep passion for music and strongly believe that every voice matters. The strength we derive from our diversity could truly change the landscape of the music industry. Let’s reflect together on how to build a space where every artist is valued, regardless of their skin color.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.surfcoastnews.com.au ’
