KATSEYE skyrocket up the charts despite TWO members ditching the group

KATSEYE has scored their biggest chart success yet with Animal, the second single from their upcoming EP Wild. 

The track, released on July 24, debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Global 200, securing the group's first top-10 entry on the chart, as per Forbes. 

It 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 Digital Song Sales debut.

The milestone comes as two members of the six-member girl group remain on hiatus.

While Daniela Avanzini, 22, Lara Raj, 20, Megan Skiendiel, 20, and Yoonchae Jeung, 18, are carrying out group activities, Manon Bannerman, 24, and Sophia Laforteza, 23, are taking time away.

Last week KATSEYE announced that lead singer Laforteza would be taking a hiatus from the group, citing 'mental health' concerns. 

The shock news came just six months after Bannerman announced that she was also taking a hiatus from the band to focus on her health and well-being.

Both Laforteza and KATSEYE released statements regarding Laforteza's temporary exit via their respective Instagram pages on Friday.

'We are very sorry to share that Sophia will be temporarily unable to participate in upcoming promotional activities,' read KATSEYE's statement.

'We understand how much EYEKONS were looking forward to seeing Sophia on stage, but it is imperative that her mental health and wellness are prioritized.'

They added that Laforteza has been receiving the 'utmost support, and following thorough consultations with medical professionals, it has been advised that she take dedicated time for extended rest and ongoing care to ensure a full recovery.'

The announcement, signed by the group's record labels HYBE and Geffen Records, was also shared on the group's website, and emphasized, 'The health, safety, and long-term well-being of our artists will always remain our highest priority.'

The note from the record companies went on to say: 'We will continue to closely monitor [Sophia's] progress and support her journey.'

As for the entertainer's potential return to work, it said, 'We plan to reassess her condition in September and will share a further update with fans at that time.'

Finally, it read, 'We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support for Sophia, and we look forward to her being back with KATSEYE.'

Meanwhile, Laforteza communicated with her 5.6 million followers in her own words, writing online, 'It truly breaks my heart to have to miss out on a lot.'

'You know how much I love being on stage, performing, and sharing these moments with you.'

The news came one week before the pop group's latest EP, WILD, is set to be released on August 14.

Not only that, the group are also set to begin their sold-out world tour in September and are just days away from releasing their documentary film KATSEYE: Wild Hearts in theatres.

Laforteza said in her post, 'Making this decision wasn't easy, but I'm learning that health has to come first. I'm realizing that if I don't take care of my mind and body now, I won't be able to keep doing what I love the most for so long.'

She thanked her fans for being 'patient, understanding, and always showing me so much love.'

And the pop star vowed, 'I promise I'm going to work as hard as I can to get through this, heal properly, and come back stronger.'

In February, Bannerman similarly announced a 'temporary hiatus' in order to focus on her 'health and wellbeing.'

Her exit sparked a major backlash from many of the group's fanbase, who have been demanding answers about Bannerman's future in KATSEYE for months.

Bannerman also fueled the fire by contradicting her record label's public statement about her hiatus.

While Hybe said that Bannerman was taking a break to focus on her health, the singer herself took to the social media app WeVerse to insist that she was fine.

'I want you to hear this from me, I'm healthy, I'm okay, and I'm taking care of myself,' Bannerman wrote to her fans back in February.

'Thank you for checking in! Sometimes things unfold in ways we don't fully control, but I'm trusting the bigger picture. Thank you for standing by me. I love you endlessly and can't wait to see you again.'

The Los Angeles-based girl group was formed in 2023 during the reality competition series Dream Academy.

Their first single, Debut, was released in 2024 and followed by a second called Touch.

KATSEYE's biggest hit, Gabriela, reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned a nomination at the 2026 Grammy Awards for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

The women were also nominated in the Best New Artist category, but the award went to British solo act Olivia Dean.

Last November, the group revealed that they hired a therapist to help them navigate the spotlight and death threats.

Raj told Rolling Stone, 'I try to tell myself it doesn't matter, but if 1,000 people are sending you 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.'

Despite Bannerman's ongoing hiatus, the group have continued to be extremely successful without her.

They've charted multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits this year including Pinky Up, Iconic By Mistake, and Animal.

The group has also been added to the lineup of Olivia Rodrigo's all-female Daisy Chain Fields music festival, which will see them take the stage alongside music icons like Stevie Nicks, Karen O, Chappell Roan, and Rodrigo.