FIRST READ · MON 7 AM ETTHE WEEKEND LEXICON · SAT 9 AM ETSophia
- Stage name
- Sophia
- Hometown
- New York
- Agency
- HYBE × Geffen
- Fandom
- EYEKONS
- Debut
- 2024
- Generation
- 5th gen
Sophia Laforteza is the Filipina American leader of KATSEYE, the HYBE x Geffen group built on the competition series The Debut: Dream Academy. She was the first member announced, and her place in the group has been a point of pride for fans in the Philippines. After stepping back in August 2026 to focus on her health, she is slated to rejoin the group in January 2027.
Where they grew up
Sophia is a New York native whose mother, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, is a Filipino theater actress. Before the group came along, she looked set to follow her mother onto the stage, but she ended up finding her own road in music. That road ran through Dream Academy, where she became the group's first member and its leader.
Birth details: billboard.com
In their own words
“health has to come first”
“I'm realizing that if I don't take care of my mind and body now, I won't be able to keep doing what I love the most for so long.”
“we're still going to be six as KATSEYE”
- Carla Guevara-Laforteza Her mother is a theater actress, and Sophia seemed headed toward theater like her before choosing music. Her mother has also described letting her children choose their own paths. billboard.com
Timeline
- 2023Formed on The Debut: Dream Academy
Sophia was named the first member and leader of KATSEYE, which was formed through the HYBE and Geffen competition series and finished with a live finale in November 2023.
- 2025Breakthrough with "Gnarly"
The group earned its first Billboard Hot 100 hit with "Gnarly" from the EP Beautiful Chaos.
- 2026WILD tops the Billboard 200
The EP WILD, with "Pinky Up" and "Animal," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in August, the group's first chart-topping album.
- 2026Hiatus announced
Sophia stepped back from group activities in August to focus on her health.
Latest
- Group continues as a quartet
Yoonchae, Megan, Lara and Daniela performed "Pinky Up" and "Animal" at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show without Sophia and Manon, and said they were happy she is coming back.
billboard.com - Return to KATSEYE planned
HYBE x Geffen announced that Sophia will rejoin the group in the first week of January 2027, after a hiatus of about five months.
teenvogue.com - Hiatus for health and wellness
HYBE x Geffen announced she would pause promotional activities on medical advice to focus on her mental health. Her mother later said she was resting, baking and painting.
billboard.com
Our coverage
KATSEYE Postpones Chicago and Minneapolis Shows as Megan Recovers From Concussion
Target Center says Minneapolis tickets stay valid for a replacement date, which the venue said would be announced soon.
KATSEYE to Headline Sziget Festival 2027 in Budapest
Word of the Hungarian booking spread on X this week, alongside new 2027 WILDWORLD TOUR dates in the Philippines.
Lisa Lands Second Solo Top 40 Album as 'PRESS PLAY' Opens at No. 35
The EP lands at No. 6 on Top Album Sales in the same week Jennie's Tame Impala collaboration returns to No. 5 on the Hot 100.
Jennie and Tame Impala's 'Dracula' Ties Hot 100 Peak at No. 5
Lisa's Press Play opens at No. 35 on the Billboard 200, while Katseye, BTS, Cortis and Stray Kids also hold places on the albums chart.
What a K-pop Group Leader Actually Does, From Award Show Speeches to Agency Talks
This week's Lexicon word: who hands out the leader title, why it so often goes to the oldest member, and where the word turned up this year.
BTS and Stray Kids Were Right: The Grammys' Asian Pop Award Is a Language Box
K-pop's four biggest companies reportedly sat it out, and the new category drew 116 entries to best Latin song's 519. That gap is a verdict on the category.
Jennie's 'Dracula' Remix With Tame Impala Is Back at No. 5 on the Hot 100
The viral remix gained one spot to match its best showing, while Katseye's 'Animal' rose to No. 28 and Stray Kids led K-pop albums.
Katseye Enters From the Crowd for 'Pinky Up' and 'Animal' at Victoria's Secret Show
The girl group walked in through the audience in Los Angeles and shared the bill with Tate McRae, Megan Thee Stallion and Megan Moroney.
Jennie and Tame Impala's 'Dracula' Climbs Back to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100
The collaboration gained one spot to match its best showing, as Katseye climbed and Stray Kids led K-pop albums on the Billboard 200.
BTS, BLACKPINK and KATSEYE Land Kids' Choice Nods as 'KPop Demon Hunters' Takes Five
Nickelodeon's November 14 ceremony has K-pop in the music, movie and breakout categories, with fan voting open now.
- teenvogue.com: KATSEYE on 'Gnarly' Reactions, New Song 'Gabriela,' and ...
- billboard.com: KATSEYE's Sophia Laforteza 'Doing Everything to Get ...
- teenvogue.com: KATSEYE Members Open Up About Sophia's Return to the Group
- billboardphilippines.com: KATSEYE's Sophia Is The Filipino Dream Realized
- billboard.com: Watch KATSEYE Put the Pink in ‘Pinky Up’ & Strut the Runway at 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
- i-d.co: KATSEYE are ready to be the next world-dominating girl ...
- billboard.com: Sophia to Take Hiatus From KATSEYE to Focus on ‘Mental Health,’ 6 Months After Manon Did the Same
Last researched Nov. 4, 2026