For the second time this year, a member of is taking a step back. On August 7, following her absence from the Los Angeles premiere of the Katseye: Wild Hearts documentary, Sophia Laforteza issued a statement announcing she would be taking a break from the girl group, explaining she would be spending the time focusing on her mental and physical health.
And last night, we got a look at how the four remaining active members—Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung—would be keeping things going as a quartet.
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Just one day after the news was shared, Katseye headlined Los Angeles’s Head in the Clouds festival. They performed an hour-long set, singing hit songs such as “Gnarly,” “Pinky Up,” and “Gabriela,” as a quartet—without Laforteza or six months ago for similar reasons.
“It truly breaks my heart to have to miss out on a lot,” Laforteza on social media. “You know how much I love being on stage, performing, and sharing these moments with you. 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.”
HYBE and Geffen Records also released a , providing more context to the decision. “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. While Sophia herself is eager to perform alongside her members, the health, safety, and long-term well-being of our artists will always remain our highest priority,” it read.