COACHELLA 2026: MANON BANNERMAN'S KATSEYE HIATUS EXPLAINED
Originally appeared on E! Online
Coachella 2026 is shaping up to be a major debut for one group.
KATSEYE is preparing to hit the Sahara stage at the California music festival on April 10 and 17, just hours before festival headliner Sabrina Carpenter steps onstage. And according to band member Lara Raj, their Coachella debut will be extra special.
“Just know we’re working really, really hard for Coachella,” Lara exclusively shared during Live From E! Stream: Spotify Best New Artist Party 2026 in January. “We have something really, really exciting planned.”
However, the group—currently comprised of Lara, Yoonchaej, Daniela Avanzini, Sophia Laforteza and Megan Skiendiel—will be missing a member for their highly anticipated Coachella performance.
In February, it was confirmed that Manon Bannerman would be taking a hiatus from the group “to focus on her health and wellbeing.”
“We fully support this decision,” the group shared in a post on X Feb. 20, adding that they remain “committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us.”
READ KATSEYE's Manon Bannerman Announces Hiatus From Group to Focus on Her "Health and Wellbeing"
Expressing how KATSEYE would continue on as a five-piece during Manon’s absence, the group emphasized, they were looking “forward to being together again when the time is right.”
“Thank you to our EYEKONS,” they wrote to their fans, “for your continued love, patience, and understanding.”
As for Manon, she broke her silence on her hiatus soon after the news was confirmed.
“I'm healthy, I'm okay, and I'm taking care of myself,” she wrote to fans subscribed to her Weverse DMs on Feb. 20. “Thank u for checking in! Sometimes things unfold in ways we don't fully control, but I'm trusting the bigger picture.”
True to their message, KATSEYE danced on, including at Lollapalooza Argentina. However, they made clear she was with them in spirit. Midway through their March 13 set, Sophia gave a shoutout to the missing performer, shouting to the crowd, "Let's give it up for Manon!"
However, as KATSEYE—formed through the 2023 reality show The Debut: Dream Academy—began rolling out promo for their new single “PINKY UP” fans noticed Manon removed KATSEYE from her Instagram bio. Shortly after the internet began buzzing about the change, Manon released another statement.
“Thank you so much for all the love and support you've been sending my way,” she wrote in a DM to her Weverse subscribers on April 2. “I'm really grateful for the patience and kindness everyone has shown during this time. HxG and I are having positive conversations and I feel supported. I'm happy and I'm healthy. I'll share more soon.”
As fans wait for KATSEYE to take the Coachella stage, keep reading to see more iconic moments from the music festival.
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