"People just have no idea what goes on. They don't."
Lara Raj insisted there is “nothing but love” between Manon Bannerman and the rest of KATSEYE.
In February 2026, Manon announced she would be temporarily stepping away from the group, citing her “health and wellbeing”.
It sparked concern among fans, with some speculating about the girl group’s future and possible tension.
Lara addressed the group’s dynamic in an interview with Vanity Fair, stating that no one knows “what goes on” behind closed doors.
She said: “The safest space that we had was within the six of us.
“People just have no idea what goes on. They don’t. It’s nothing but love between us.”
Manon is not featured on KATSEYE’s forthcoming EP Wild and has not yet committed to joining them on their upcoming world tour.
On whether the group are in contact with Manon, they revealed it is “here and there”.
Lara Raj previously addressed the online discussion surrounding Manon’s hiatus during a Weverse livestream with fans.
She said: “I did want to talk to you guys, though, because, I mean… there’s obviously been so much chatter and so many things getting twisted.
“Things all six of us have done, or things we haven’t done, that apparently gets twisted into something we did do…[there are] so many false narratives and, like, very harmful false narratives.”
Lara also refuted claims that there are tensions within the girlband, calling it “so dumb”.
Lara Raj’s latest comments follow remarks from bandmate Sophia Laforteza, who said “the door is always open” for Manon to return.
She told Allure: “Because we did announce that it is about her well-being, it’s not our place or anybody else’s place to rush her.
“We want to give her all the time that she needs, all the space that she needs, and so we don’t want to make any assumptions, set anything in stone… She really deserves that and the door is always open.
“We love her and the fans love her. The people love her. They love KATSEYE.
“If I was in their place, I would be asking too, and so we understand.”
“But what we can say is that we wish that you could just keep extending love and support and patience and all those things, because all of us deserve that. Anybody does.”
Manon Bannerman addressed fans on Instagram, reassuring them about her wellbeing.
She said she has “never been healthier, happier, or more grateful. grateful for the people who love me, care for me, make me laugh, and remind me what really matters. feeling very lucky to be here”.
KATSEYE rose to fame after being formed on Netflix competition series Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, and have since achieved chart success with tracks including ‘Internet Girl’ and ‘Pinky Up’.
The group has also spoken candidly about the pressures of online attention.
In a BBC interview in November 2025, they said criticism “can get really heavy”, with some members receiving death threats.
Lara said: “I try to tell myself it doesn’t matter, but if 1,000 people are sending you death threats, it’s jarring.
“Even if it’s not going to happen, it’s heavy.”
