Manon Bannerman is directly communicating with fans just a few days after announcing a temporary break from KATSEYE activities.
The Swiss-born pop sensation shared a brand-new Instagram story this week that read, “i love you all more than words could describe 🕊️,” a genuine message of appreciation from Manon Bannerman amid the concerns fans have been expressing about her.
Manon Bannerman announced last week that she would be taking a break from KATSEYE activities in order to focus on “her mental health and well-being.” The news broke on February 20th, and KATSEYE informed fans at 6:45 p.m. EST via Weverse, its fan community.
The statement read, “After open and thoughtful conversations, we announce that Manon will take a temporary break from group activities to focus on her health and well-being. We fully support this decision. KATSEYE remains committed to supporting each other and our fans. The group will continue with its scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right. Thank you to our EYEKONS for your love, patience, and understanding.”
A few hours later, Manon Bannerman sent a message to fans via Weverse DMs.
KATSEYE, composed of members from the 2023 reality TV program “The Debut: Dream Academy,” has quickly risen to fame as the newest girl group from around the globe. Their 2025 EP “Beautiful Chaos” propelled the group to the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time, peaking at No. 82 for “Gnarly” and No. 26 for “Gabriela.” “Gabriela” also earned the girl group a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. The girl group also earned a nomination for Best New Artist.
Manon, also known as Manon Bannerman, initially gained popularity through her social media content on TikTok and Instagram, primarily discussing fashion and lifestyle, before transitioning into music. As the sole Black member of the girl group, her hiatus has been a tough pill for fans to swallow, prompting discussions about racism in the music industry.
On February 17th, Manon discussed her situation in an interview, talking about the backlash she received from fans, saying, “Being called lazy, especially as a Black woman, is not fair.”
This sparked online discussions about racism in the music industry, comparing Manon’s situation to those of Normani of Fifth Harmony, Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix, and Melody Thornton of The Pussycat Dolls, who have also discussed racism in the industry.
Several prominent artists have also supported Manon during this time, including SZA, RAYE, Kehlani, Chloe Bailey, and Halle Bailey, who have all followed Manon on Instagram after the news of her hiatus from the girl group.
KATSEYE is set to make its first appearance at Coachella in April, but whether Manon will be joining the rest of the group is still unknown, as the other members of the girl group have not commented on her hiatus.
