KATSEYE on coming out, Drag Race and why trans allyship is a ‘no-brainer’

Calling the past 12 months a whirlwind might seem like an understatement for KATSEYE, but something tells me they were prepared for it.

After being formed in 2023 via YouTube reality competition series Dream Academy, hosted by K-pop record label Hybe and Universal Music off-shoot Geffen Records, it didn’t take long for the six members of KATSEYE to reach for the stars. Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeong were ready for a pop music takeover.

First came the band’s aptly-titled debut single “Debut”, in June 2024. Netflix documentary Popstar Academy: Katseye followed in August, tracing how the girls fought their way to the front of a mass of 120,000 Dream Academy hopefuls, all of whom were hungry to be in the next global group. KATSEYE honed their craft, taking on vocal challenges, dance training, and preparations for the world stage.

Then came the raft of blue-chip songwriters who came together to write their debut EP, last year’s SIS (Soft Is Strong) and the recently-released Beautiful Chaos. One Republic’s Ryan Tedder (Beyoncé, Taylor Swift), Justin Tranter (Britney Spears, Dua Lipa), Omer Fedi (Justin Bieber, Charli XCX), Madison Love (Kesha, Katy Perry) and Charli XCX all lined up to write for the band.

Finally, came the pay-off. In April, their brash, hyperpop single “Gnarly” – complete with an Ice Spice remix – became their first single to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart. A slew of EYEKONS – fans, to you and I – followed (more than 14 million across social media, to be more precise).

Ask the Spice Girls, or Little Mix, or BLACKPINK, or Sugababes, and they’ll tell you that any girlband with a chance of longevity needs a clan of loyal queer people behind them. Thankfully, that element came naturally to KATSEYE; earlier this year, both Lara and Megan came out as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Throw in their adoration of drag and major respect for the transgender community – on new song “Mean Girls”, the group gave a shout out to the “T girls and all the in-between girls” – and KATSEYE have solidified themselves as a firm gay favourite.

The group chat to PinkNews about the reaction to Lara and Megan coming out, their trans idols, and how they’re dealing with their astronomical rise.

PinkNews: You’re embarking on your first big international tour this November. What can fans expect? Which songs are you most looking forward to playing live and why? 

Yoonchae: It’s so exciting and surreal that KATSEYE is already starting our first tour! Since this is our very first one, we really want it to be more than just a stage — we want to show the world who KATSEYE is through a performance full of energy. The song I’m most looking forward to performing is “MIA” because it has such an upbeat rhythm and it’s a track we can truly enjoy together with the EYEKONS. 

You’ve obviously only just released Beautiful Chaos, but are there any plans to work on – or release… – any more new music ahead of the tour in November? 

Daniela: Honestly, I don’t know yet. We’ve just released Beautiful Chaos so right now we’re still soaking that in and focusing on preparing for the tour. That said, we’re always writing and exploring new ideas, so who knows what could happen between now and November. 

Earlier this year, “Gnarly” became KATSEYE’s first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and Official UK chart. How did that feel, and how much does chart and industry recognition matter to you at this stage in your career? 

Yoonchae: We were so happy and honestly couldn’t believe it when we heard the news! It was such an amazing feeling to see our song charting in multiple places, and we were just so thankful. Of course, getting that kind of recognition is a huge honor, but what matters even more to us is the reaction from our fans. Seeing them do the challenge, sing along, and support us in so many ways — those are the moments that remind us why we do what we do. 

The past few months have been pretty wild in terms of your career ascension. Were you prepared to deal with that rise? How have you been dealing with the increased interest in you all as a group and as individuals in recent months? 

Daniela: It’s been a rollercoaster, and honestly, nothing really prepares you for it. We’re taking it day by day, staying grounded, and leaning on each other. The attention is surreal, but we’re just focused on the music and staying true to who we are. 

“Mean Girls” songwriter Justin Tranter revealed recently that several artists wanted to cut the reference to trans women from the song, but you kept it in. Did you hesitate at all to keep that lyric in, or was it a no-brainer? Why did you ultimately decide it was an important lyric for you to include? 

Manon: Including all women in this song was a no-brainer for us. There was never any hesitation. We constantly work with people from all kinds of communities, and it’s important for us to show love and appreciation in return. They give so much to us, and we want them to feel seen, heard, and celebrated. 

You recently hung out with Vivian Jenna Wilson and have been styled by Gigi Goode. What were those experiences like, and how have trans women influenced your artistry? 

Manon: Both are super lovely and talented in their own ways. The first thing that came to mind while reading this question is how much NikkiTutorials impacted me; she was the one who truly taught me how to do makeup when I was around 13 or 14 through her videos. She’s been a pretty big influence on me and I’ll always have a soft spot for her because of that. 

You’re also Drag Race fans – which of your songs would you like to see used as a lip-sync song on the show?

Sophia: I absolutely adore Drag Race and I would die to see “Gnarly” used as a lip-sync song. That would be an absolute dream. I won’t shut up about it if that dream comes true. 

Lara and Megan, you have both recently shared that you are part of the LGBTQ+ community. How have Daniela, Manon, Sophie, and Yoonchae been allies to you through the coming out experience? 

Lara: They have always been super supportive of me through this journey and have always known, and made me feel super safe and comfortable which is what friends should do! 

Megan: They’ve shown so much love and support throughout our LGBTQ+ journey. We never felt the need to hide or explain ourselves – they just embraced us fully. Their kindness and quiet understanding meant more than words ever could. 

In terms of coming out, have you had any emotional fan responses? Or any negative responses from non LGBTQ+ fans? How do you deal with the intensity of those reactions, on both sides of the spectrum? 

Lara: I’ve definitely had a very intense side of both reactions post coming out, but I will say that the negativity truly does not affect me. But, the positivity has deeply affected me and I think its affected my understanding of how important using your voice is and how powerful authenticity is. A lot of people reached out or told me in person that I inspired/helped them to come out, and be more confident within their own sexuality which honestly makes me cry every time I hear that. That means SO much to me. I couldn’t be more grateful and proud to help people own their truth and be the most genuine and powerful version of themselves. I will always continue to promote this!

Megan: Yeah, we’ve had some really emotional responses from fans – people who felt seen or inspired to be more open about who they are. Those moments mean everything to us. Of course, there have also been a few negative reactions, but we try not to let that weigh us down. We focus on the love and the people who feel empowered through our honesty. At the end of the day, being true to ourselves is what matters most. 

Navigating your schedule and intense rise to the top must come with its challenges. How do the six of you stay grounded in your friendship, and make sure you’re having fun away from all the hard work? 

Sophia: One of my favourite parts about the six of us is our dynamic when it comes to joking around. We have endless inside jokes and all have the same sense of humor. There are so many moments where all of us need to take a second to just laugh things off, even in the middle of rehearsals.

Beautiful Chaos is out now. KATSEYE are touring the US through November and December; tickets are available now.

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