KATSEYE Address Manon Bannerman Feud Rumors Amid Her Hiatus

KATSEYE Sets the Record Straight on Manon Bannerman Feud Rumors Following Her Abrupt Hiatus

KATSEYE are shutting down the gnarly rumors about Manon Bannerman’s hiatus.

While Manon’s future in the girl group remains up in the air, her bandmates Yoonchae, Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Sophia Laforteza and Megan Skiendiel want to clear up the speculation over her absence—without diving too deep into their behind-the-scenes bond.

“The safest space that we had was within the six of us,” Lara told Vanity Fair in an interview published on June 30. “People just have no idea what goes on. They just don’t. It’s nothing but love between us.”

So, keeping aspects of their dynamic out of the public eye is crucial for them to protect their relationships. And that includes with Manon, who stepped away from the group back in February.

In fact, though they aren’t in constant contact with the 24-year-old right now, the group emphasized that they talk “here and there.”

Meanwhile, KATSEYE also addressed the rumors behind Manon’s hiatus—which she said at the time was to “focus on her health and wellbeing”—dispelling any suggestion she took a step back due to discrimination within the group. (Throughout her time in KATSEYE, Manon has been open about the racist comments she has received as the only Black member of the group.)

“We can definitely say that in our situation, in no way was it about race,” Sophia shared. “That goes against everything that we stand for.”

Throughout Manon’s monthslong hiatus, her bandmates have been determined to give her space to focus on herself.

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

“We want to give her all the time that she needs, all the space that she needs, and so we don't want to make any assumptions, set anything in stone,” Sophia previously told Allure on June 25.  “She really deserves that and the door is always open.”

And Manon isn’t the only star who has taken a step back from the spotlight in order to care for their wellbeing. Read on to see other celebs who have made their mental health a priority…

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