K-pop-inspired girl group KATSEYE is speaking out about the darker side of fame. In a recent interview with the BBC, the six-member band opened up about the emotional toll of receiving “thousands” of online death threats, and how they’re learning to cope with the pressure that comes with global stardom.
The group, Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung, rose to international prominence following their viral performances, polished visuals, and fierce choreography. But as their fame skyrockets, so has the level of online scrutiny.
“No human is supposed to receive that much feedback on something that they’ve created,” Laforteza, 22, told the outlet. “We’re learning to just do what we love, work hard, and not let social media become our validation.”
Raj, 20, echoed those sentiments, sharing how overwhelming it can be to read hateful messages and threats.
“As time goes on, the stakes get higher, and the pressure from all sides becomes more intense,” she said. “I try to tell myself that what people say doesn’t matter, but we’re human. And if a thousand people are sending you death threats, it’s jarring — even if you know it’s not real, it’s still heavy.”
The group, known for their inclusive message and passionate LGBTQ+ fanbase, has been open about mental health and self-expression since their debut. But even for artists accustomed to being in the spotlight, the magnitude of social media criticism can be crushing.
“It’s something we know we signed up for, being public and letting people into our lives,” Laforteza continued. “But people forget that we’re still human — that we have families and friends who see those comments too.”
Bannerman, 23, added that leaning on each other has been essential to surviving the emotional weight of fame.
“Having five other people who know exactly what this feels like is the most valuable, beautiful gift,” Raj said.
Despite the challenges, KATSEYE’s momentum hasn’t slowed. The group recently earned Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and is gearing up to launch their Beautiful Chaos Tour, which kicks off Saturday, Nov. 15, in Minneapolis.
While their future looks bright, KATSEYE’s honesty serves as a reminder of the real people behind the stage lights, and the importance of empathy in a digital world that too often forgets it.
As Laforteza put it: “We do this because we love it. But we’re still learning to protect our peace in the process.”
