Katseye's Coachella Debut Marred by Fan Boycott Over Manon Bannerman's Absence
As the global pop girl group Katseye makes its debut at Coachella this weekend, the milestone is tinged with controversy due to the absence of bandmate Manon Bannerman. The 23-year-old performer announced a temporary hiatus in February to focus on her health and wellbeing, but her extended break has sparked a significant backlash from fans, known as Eyekons, who are demanding greater transparency and have initiated a boycott.
Fans Demand Answers Amid Extended Hiatus
Katseye, formed through the 2023 survival competition Dream Academy: The Debut, is a six-member group created by music executives from K-pop giant Hybe and Geffen Records. The lineup includes Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung. Conceptualized by the team behind the massively successful boy band BTS, Katseye was designed to be a diverse and multitalented global pop phenomenon.
However, Bannerman's hiatus, announced on February 20, has stretched longer than anticipated, raising concerns among supporters. She was notably absent from promotional materials for the group's new single "Pinky Up," released on April 2, and has removed all references to Katseye from her Instagram bio. Bannerman also did not appear in the single's music video, which debuted on April 9.
Online Backlash and Cryptic Messages
The omission ignited a firestorm on social media, with fans expressing frustration and confusion. One supporter wrote, "We want Manon," while another criticized the promotional strategy, stating, "No one thought the hiatus would apply to their music and videos. Not acknowledging Manon's absence here is actually deranged." Others emphasized their loyalty to the original lineup, with comments like, "KATSEYE WILL ALWAYS BE SIX, I AM NOT GONNA SHUT UP ABOUT IT!"
Bannerman addressed her situation on the South Korean app Weverse, used by fans to communicate with artists. She wrote, "I'm healthy, I'm okay, and I'm taking care of myself," adding cryptically, "Sometimes things unfold in ways we don't fully control, but I'm trusting the bigger picture." In a separate post, she noted, "HxG and I are having positive conversations and I feel supported. I'm happy and I'm healthy. I'll share more soon. Thank you for always being there for me."
Speculation Over Treatment and Industry Issues
Even before her hiatus, some fans speculated that Bannerman was treated differently from her bandmates. A Netflix documentary, Pop Star Academy: Katseye, chronicled the Dream Academy selection process, revealing tensions during training. It showed moments when Bannerman missed rehearsals and other members expressed resentment over her lack of prior dance and singing training, as she was initially scouted for her social media presence.
Further speculation has arisen regarding the music industry's treatment of Black women. Bannerman is the only Black member of Katseye, and fans have used hashtags like #JusticeForManon and #BoycottForManon to demand answers from the group's representatives. In an op-ed for Elle, writer DeAsia Paige described Bannerman's exit as a "consequence of the music industry's failure to fully see and support Black women in pop." Similarly, Rolling Stone writer Larish Paul called the mainstream music industry a "perpetual test" designed to make Black women fail.
Support from Peers and Past Criticisms
Since stepping back, Bannerman has received public support from other Black members of girl groups, including Leigh-Anne Pinnock from Little Mix and Melody Thornton from The Pussycat Dolls. In a February 2026 interview with The Cut, published just days before her hiatus announcement, Bannerman criticized the work-life balance culture in America and addressed scrutiny she faced for being sick during Dream Academy rehearsals.
She stated, "Being called lazy, especially as a Black girl, is not fair. Now I feel like I always need to put in extra work to prove something, even though I really don't." This highlights the broader challenges she has faced within the industry.
Katseye's Rise and Ongoing Success
Despite the controversy, Katseye has achieved notable success since its formation. The final lineup was determined by fan voting and unveiled in a pageant-style live show in November 2023. The group has charted with singles like "Gnarly" and "Gabriela," the latter earning a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at this year's Grammys. They were also nominated for Best New Artist, though the award ultimately went to British singer Olivia Dean.
The Netflix documentary Pop Star Academy: Katseye further captured the physical and emotional toll of their training, as well as the stress of public scrutiny. As Katseye performs at Coachella without Bannerman, the fan boycott underscores the ongoing demand for clarity and fairness in the pop music landscape.
