Girl group made of former Katseye hopefuls sees member quit before debut
Emily Kelavos, Lexie Levin and Samara Siqueira (Image: Getty Images)
Lexie Levin has left HYBE and Geffen’s pre-debut girl group Saint Satine, telling fans she and the project had “different ways of operating”.
The change was confirmed in a label statement shared on X. HYBE and Geffen said: “Following extensive and thoughtful discussions with Lexie regarding the group’s future activities, both parties have mutually agreed to part ways,” describing the split as a mutual decision after talks about what comes next.
Levin also addressed her departure on Instagram Stories. “When I joined Project SAINT SATINE, I truly believed it was the right place for me. I was excited by the presented vision and future plans we were going to be working towards together,” she wrote. “But now we have come to the mutual decision that this is the right time for us to move forward separately.”
She added: “While it feels heavy-hearted, I have found peace in that some things in life aren’t destined.” Levin continued: “I have nothing but respect and appreciation for the team, but we have different ways of operating, and that’s okay!”
Saint Satine line-up change
Saint Satine is a HYBE and Geffen girl group project linked to the same label pipeline that produced Katseye.
Levin, Emily Kelavos and Samara Siqueira previously competed on The Debut: Dream Academy for a place in Katseye, with Levin leaving the show for personal reasons.
HYBE later brought Levin, Kelavos and Siqueira back for a new group, and held a separate competition to select the fourth member. Japanese singer Tobi Sakura won World Scout: The Final Piece in May 2026.
Levin’s last video with the group was in mid-June. Fans began to notice she was missing from recent posts featuring Sakura, Kelavos and Siqueira, including a Shark Beauty sponsored post.
What fans are saying
Fans have shared their confusion on social media, especially considering the girl group has not yet officially debuted.
“Wait, they haven’t even debuted yet, right?” one asked. Another, seemingly referencing Manon’s hiatus from Katseye, said: “Is this like a tradition or something?”
A third wrote: “She’s so real she walked out on them again.” And someone else added: “So she left Dream Academy because she couldn’t handle a competition just to join Saint Satine just to leave again before they even debut.”
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
