What’s Going On With KATSEYE? Manon Bannerman’s Hiatus Explained Ahead of Coachella
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.”
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.”
Robert Smith/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
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!”
Frazer Harrison/WireImage
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.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella
Anitta, Snoop Dogg (2022)
Anitta brought out the rapper as a surprise guest to perform “Onda Diferente.”
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for ABA
Harry Styles, Shania Twain (2022)
Shania joined Harry onstage for his headlining performance at the 2022 Coachella festival, where they performed her hits “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” and “You’re Still the One.”
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Jay-Z, Beyoncé (2010)
The “’03 Bonnie and Clyde” husband-and-wife duo came together onstage for the rapper’s Coachella performance in 2010, giving festival attendees a surprise rendition of Jay‘s hit “Young Forever.”
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella
Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur Hologram (2012)
When Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg hit the Coachella stage in 2012, nothing could have prepared fans for the hologram edition of the late Tupac Shakur (the rapper was murdered in 1996). For months after their show, social media still could not get over seeing the image of the California rapper projected alongside his peers.
FilmMagic.com/FilmMagic
Calvin Harris, Rihanna (2012)
Back in 2012, Calvin Harris had the crowd feeling like they were the only fans in the world when he brought out Rihanna as a surprise guest. During their set, the singer belted out her hit “Where Have You Been” before launching into their collab, “We Found Love.” Fans were extra delighted when the two did it all over again in 2016.
Karl Walter/Getty Images for Coachella
2 Chainz, Fall Out Boy (2013)
Sugar, we’re going down swinging! At least, that’s all fans could think after Fall Out Boy joined 2 Chainz onstage in 2013. “Not only did I come to save hip hop” the rapper told the crowd at the festival. “I came to save rock n’ roll.”
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper (2014)
Beliebers everywhere rejoiced when Justin Bieber joined Chance the Rapper as a surprise guest during the musician’s set in 2014. The two teamed up to perform their collab, “Confident.”
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Solange, Beyoncé (2014)
We all know that Beyoncé can dance, but she proved that she made the best backup dancer during little sister Solange’s set in 2014. Just four years later, the duo showed off their best moves again for Beychella.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella
Madonna, Drake (2015)
Who could’ve seen this collab coming? When Madonna joined Drake onstage during his 2015 set, nothing else really mattered. After Drake performed his song, “Madonna,” he brought his lyrics literally to life when the Material Girl came strolling out. And as showstopping as that combo was, it was their kiss that made headlines for weeks after.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
Future, Drake (2017)
What a time to be alive. Since these two collaborated on an entire mixtape together, it only made sense that Drake would pop in to perform with Future in 2017.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella
Beyoncé, Solange, Destiny’s Child (2018)
Let’s face it: Beyoncé’s headlining performance already had fans in formation, but the extra surprise came not only when Solange joined her sister onstage, but when the long-awaited Destiny’s Child reunion finally happened without warning. Bey’s hubby, Jay-Z, managed to make an appearance that weekend, too.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AG
Ariana Grande, NSYNC (2019)
For her 2019 performance, Ariana Grande had fans saying anything but “thank you, next” once *NSYNC reunited as her surprise guest stars (minus Justin Timberlake, who was on tour at the time). The forever-in-our hearts boy band sang “Tearin’ Up My Heart” and joined in for a special rendition of Ariana’s single “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored.”
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