Sophia Laforteza, the leader of global girl group KATSEYE, is temporarily stepping back from promotional activities to focus on her mental health and well-being, Hybe and Geffen said on Friday in a joint statement posted on Hybe’s fan-to-artist platform Weverse. While fans have speculated about the reasons for Bannerman’s absence, Hybe, Geffen and KATSEYE’s members have not provided additional details. The group, whose members come from the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland and the U.S., was formed in 2023 after the finalists of Hybe and Geffen’s survival-style competition “The Debut: Dream Academy” were selected to debut together.