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In this column, Regan discusses celebrity drama and controversies.
The collapse of katseye
The collapse of katseye
By Regan Snyder
By Regan Snyder
When two music industry supergiants come together to create a global girl group, it is a given that branding will be a top priority. However, in the case of Katseye, the girl group produced by the corporations Hybe and Geffen, incessant marketing and product placement are seemingly driving the group to an untimely end. From topping charts to being bashed online, the era of Katseye may be coming to a close.
Image of Katseye, credits to Notion Magazine
In 2023, two music companies came together to create an international competitive dance show-- Hybe, a Korean company (best known for its K-pop groups, such as BTS and Enhypen) and Geffen, a Western company that has worked with artists such as Nirvana, Olivia Rodrigo, and Kendrick Lamar. Calling the show messy would be a serious understatement. Dream Academy pitted 20 teenage girls against each other and consistently exploited their insecurities and ambitions. After an adequate amount of drama was manufactured, the companies finally settled on a group of six members: Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Sophia Laforteza, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Jeung Yoonchae. Thus, the international girl group Katseye was formed.
The group debuted in June 2024 with their single “Debut”, which was moderately successful. This was followed by the single “Touch” and the EP “SIS”, all of which continually solidified Katseye’s position in the music industry, especially among K-pop fans. Things took a shift when Katseye released a new single in April of 2025 called “Gnarly”. The song was initially received very poorly by fans who were confused by the song's chaotic and nonsensical production. Others were disturbed by the ensuing choreography and performances, noting the provocativeness that the girls were being encouraged to exude, especially given that the members were aged between 17 and 23 years old at the time. Despite this, the song was eventually exalted as an ode to carefree fun and was deemed iconic by the fanbase. “Gnarly” peaked at number 47 on Billboard Global 200, significantly higher than any of the group's previous songs. The group had somehow turned their flop into a success.
Following “Gnarly”, the group released the single “Gabriela”, followed by the EP “Beautiful Chaos”. These were all well-received by their flourishing fanbase. In Aug. 2025, the group struck a brand deal with GAP. After the controversial American Eagle collab with Sydney Sweeney, the GAP commercial only served to further public appreciation for the girls. While many praised their ad as being progressive, others pointed out that a group of conventionally attractive girls dancing for a fast fashion company was a weak shade of feminism. Regardless, things seemed to be going well for Katseye.
In Jan. 2026, Kateye released their fifth single, “Internet Girl”. This song, lamenting the struggles of toxic internet culture, was ripped to shreds by fans. Similar to “Gnarly”, the song boasted fairly strange and nonsensical lyrics that made fans question why Hype and Geffen were forcing these songs on the group. According to Entertainment Weekly, the following February, the group released a statement saying, "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 well-being”. Fans were devastated that Manon was stepping away from the group, and amidst the online discussions, Daniela’s father, Rafael Avanzini, began making strange comments online about Manon. He was found in Instagram comment sections saying that Katseye does not need Manon and that Daniela is a much better dancer and performer. Many of his posts had a strange racial undertone, leaving many fans uncomfortable with the dynamic of the Avanzini family.
In Apr. 2026, the group began teasing a new single, a song titled “Pinky Up”. Based on a playful tea-party-based aesthetic, the song was once again chaotic and lacking substance. The magazine The Fader unapologetically described the song as “subversive brainrot that’s been cranked to the max.” The song entirely split the fanbase. Some thought that the song was unserious and fun, while others were frustrated with the group's lack of direction and the repeated exploitation of the girls. Many felt that the group was purely generating commercial slop, especially given the increased use of AI and prevalence of brand placement. In the “Pinky Up” music video, fans were disappointed that instead of a cameo from Manon, they received unashamed product placement from the frozen fruit brand Tru Fru. The entire release lacked the passion and artistry of their original songs, focusing instead on shock value and extravagance.
Katseye's creative direction has indicated to spectators that the group wasn’t built to last. The consistent prioritizing of outrage-based marketing over artistic integrity has left many with a foul taste in their mouths. Currently, the Katseye girls cannot escape the drama and infamy knocking on their door, perhaps solidifying their permanent downfall.
Sources:
Sources:
The Fader
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