Katseye Member Manon Bannerman Absent from Coachella Debut Amid Ongoing Hiatus
The pop group Katseye is set to debut at Coachella without member Manon Bannerman, who has been on hiatus since February 2024 to focus on her health. HYBE confirmed her absence from the performance. Fans have launched a boycott demanding transparency about her status.
allhiphop.comThe six-member pop group Katseye will perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this weekend without Manon Bannerman, who remains on hiatus. HYBE, the group's parent company, confirmed Bannerman's absence from the event, according to the Korea Herald. The group debuted in 2023 following the Netflix survival competition Dream Academy: The Debut, organized by HYBE and Geffen Records.
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Bannerman announced her temporary hiatus on February 20, 2024, to prioritize her health and well-being. HxG, the joint venture between HYBE and Geffen, stated it fully supports her decision. Her absence extended beyond the initial expectation, leading to her exclusion from promotional materials for the single "Pinky Up," released on April 2, 2024.
Bannerman did not appear in the music video for "Pinky Up," released on April 9, 2024, and removed references to Katseye from her Instagram bio.
Fans expressed concern online, with some criticizing the promotional strategy for not acknowledging her absence. A boycott has emerged, with supporters using hashtags #JusticeForManon and #BoycottForManon to demand transparency from the group's representatives. On Weverse, Bannerman addressed her status, stating she is healthy and supported by HxG.
She wrote that positive conversations are ongoing and promised more updates soon. Prior to the hiatus, a Netflix documentary on Dream Academy showed training tensions, including Bannerman missing rehearsals due to her lack of prior dance and singing experience. >"I’m healthy, I’m okay, and I’m taking care of myself.
consists of Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, Yoonchae Jeong, and Bannerman.
The group was formed through fan voting in a November 2023 live show. It has achieved chart success with singles "Gnarly" and "Gabriela," earning Grammy nominations for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best New Artist in 2024. Bannerman, the only Black member, has faced scrutiny during training, as depicted in the 2024 Netflix documentary Pop Star Academy: Katseye.
In a February 2024 interview with The Cut, she discussed challenges with work-life balance and perceptions of laziness as a Black woman. Supporters including Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Melody Thornton have publicly backed her since the hiatus. The Independent contacted Katseye representatives for comment but received no response at the time of reporting.
The group's Coachella performance marks a key milestone following its formation by the team behind BTS.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- April 2024
Katseye releases single 'Pinky Up' without Bannerman in promotions or music video.
1 sourceThe Independent - April 9, 2024
Music video for 'Pinky Up' released, excluding Bannerman and sparking fan backlash.
1 sourceThe Independent - February 20, 2024
Bannerman announces temporary hiatus for health reasons; HxG expresses support.
1 sourceThe Independent - November 2023
Katseye lineup finalized through fan-voted live show on Dream Academy.
1 sourceThe Independent
Potential Impact
- 01
Fan boycott reduces engagement with Katseye's Coachella promotions.
- 02
Increased scrutiny on HYBE's artist management practices emerges.
- 03
Bannerman provides further updates on her status soon.
- 04
Support from other artists bolsters Bannerman's visibility.
Transparency Panel
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