Katseye at Teen Vogue Summit 2025: Notes On Popstar Status, Girlhood and Belonging
Written by Daphne Bryant
Image courtesy of @katseyeworld
Without a doubt, global girl group KATSEYE’s panel was the most highly anticipated panel of this year’s Teen Vogue Summit! For those unfamiliar, KATSEYE is the world’s next big thing, an entertainment powerhouse trained with K-pop methodology and made up of members from all over the world: Sophia Laforetza, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae. Last weekend the room hosting the panel was packed with fans of all ages. Some wore merch and others clutched posters of KATSEYE’s gorgeous Teen Vogue cover(shot by my new friend Bea Oyster) in their hand. Those who hadn’t managed to get a seat were standing, and there was a collective buzz in the air. The only feeling I can equate it to is that of being at a concert, even though the girls were technically only there to speak on their experiences and provide some much-desired fan service.
Once Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Versha Sharma finally announced KATSEYE and all six members began to ascend the stage, the room erupted into loud applause and fervid screams. Coming off their Billboard Hot 100 reentry with“ Gabriela” and their first Video Music Award, KATSEYE has proven that their virality is not a fluke. Under the bright lights each girl seemed to glow with pride and enthusiasm, and once they sat down, it was time for the questions.
Sharma started the panel off by asking what had been the most monumental moments of KATSEYE’s career so far.“ The [VMAs] were really insane. It was amazing to see that our hard work was paying off,” said Bannerman. The VMAs seemed to be everyone’s favorite across the board, although Raj also chimed in to show some love for Lollapalooza. In response to whether or not they got to meet any of their idols at the VMAs, Laforetza excitedly mentioned Ariana Grande and Avanzini shared her appreciation for J Balvin.
One thing that stands out about KATSEYE is that even though they are a girl group, a unit if you will, they are not monolithic. Sharma asked the members to share how their personal styles have evolved after becoming part of the group, to which their leader Laforetza said“ we influence each other’s styles. I had a vision of myself when I first got into KATSEYE, but [I] am impacted by the girls and have little pieces of them [and their styles] in my own style.” Adding on, Raj said,“ our cultures play into how we dress too, even down to the textures.” Amongst other members’ cultural details she pointed out fellow member Skiendiel’s jade bracelet, which she wears as a personal symbol of her Chinese heritage.
The next inquiry was geared towards Raj and Skiendiel, as they’d both come out as bisexual online. What was it like announcing their queerness so publicly? There were a lot of cheers after that question, and Skiendiel beamed as she began to gush about their fanbase:“ I just felt so loved the second I came out as bisexual. I was scared because in industries [associated with K-pop], you don’t really see [out queer people] as often, but I’m so grateful for the [EYEKONS] and their support.” For Raj,“ being queer and liking women” is something she’s always been proud of, and sure of her entire life. To inspire EYEKONS with her visibility is all she could hope for. Sharma then commended the entire group on their active speaking up for trans rights, and Bannerman explained that their team was very diverse, so it only made sense to advocate for everyone that supports and uplifts them.“ We work with a lot of people in the queer community! Love is love!”
When asked about taking time for oneself in the midst of all their pop stardom, Avanzini mentioned that going home, specifically, always grounds the members:“ That’s the chance we have to wind down, and be with family and friends outside of KATSEYE.” She then reiterated that even then, the girls are a family themselves. After seeing them all in person, I can confirm: KATESEYE has formed an unbreakable bond and sisterhood, and they all respect each other so much.
Sharma shifted gears to touch on their favorite shows at the moment.“ I’m on episode two of The Summer I Turned Pretty!” said Avanzini, to the audience’s amusement. When asked what she thought of the series finale, her eyes widened and she shot forward in her seat, laughing and urging the crowd and her fellow members not to spoil anything. It was a fun moment that resonated with many TSITP fans in the audience “ [I’m] Team Belly all the way!” Avanzini winked, playing on the Conrad vs. Jeremiah feud, and how at the end of the day, it’s Belly who she’s rooting for. Personally, Skiendiel is a Sex and the City stan. What followed her confession was an unofficial game of“ What KATSEYE member is like which Sex and the City character?”, and Avanzini chimed in to say that Yoonchae was much like Charlotte.
The Beautiful Chaos tour is KATSEYE’s upcoming concert run, named after their most recent EP. When asked what they’re most excited for, Avanzini shared that she couldn’t stop dreaming about“ meeting new EYEKONS and going to new places”, including Mexico City! Even with all of that eagerness, tours and performing can be really intimidating. When the girls start to feel the weight of their reality on stage, they look to one another for comfort.“ We’re each other’s safe space,” said Laforetza.“ Once we lock eyes with each other, it’s really grounding.”
On the topic of confidence, Raj exclaimed“ there’s so many days we wake up and don’t feel confident, which is the reality of being a woman.” To combat this inevitable feeling, Raj shared that she has a note on her whiteboard that says something along the lines of‘ You’re the shit! You’re the shit!’, a nod to KATSEYE’s hit song“ Gnarly.”
Speaking of “Gnarly”, the initially controversial track faced a lot of backlash at first. KATSEYE’s thoughts on the OG hate train?“ Be okay with being a little cringe. You can’t let people’s ideas or doubts about you stop you,” said Raj. Avanzini spoke her mind too:“ Trust yourself and your art. When [“ Gnarly”] first came out we kind of expected [a polarizing] reaction. When we got on stage and first performed the dance, that’s when people started to get it.”
It’s true! The energetic and catchy choreography, as well as the passion with which KATSEYE performed“ Gnarly”, totally transformed the public’s perception. Someone in the crowd shouted“ Do the dance!”, and Avanzini did just that (in her seat, that is). These girls are the queens of fan service.
Next came one of my favorite questions to ask celebrities:“ what would you be doing if you weren’t in KATSEYE?” Skiendiel mentioned fashion, dropping an exclusive anecdote about her lore. Apparently when she was 14 she went to fashion school in LA! How cool is that? Bannerman mentioned an interest in music videos and film, shouting out her best friend, a producer named Sophie.“ [She] would have me be a PA on set, and I really like behind the scenes stuff. Maybe I’d try directing!” Yoonchae mentioned that she really likes movies too, one of her favorites being La, La Land.“ I also like to draw! But I’m not going to show you,” she said cheekily. Avanzini immediately jumped in to champion Yoonchae:“ She will listen to a song and draw what she hears. I’m like: how does she do it?!” Like many of the other girls, Avanzini also shared an affinity for film.“ I would love to star in a movie or something. Or be a judge on Dancing With The Stars,” she enthused, referencing her own ballroom dance background.
As for what keeps the members centered? Journaling for Skiendiel, and the people who knew her before she was part of KATSEYE for Laforetza.“ Yeah,” Bannerman nodded in agreement.“ My family clocks me.”
Circling back to the diverse makeup of KATSEYE, Sharma asked how the girls felt about representation. “ Each one of us wanted something like [KATSEYE] so bad growing up. I really craved seeing a hot Indian-American girl. You know, all of us take being a role model seriously,” said Raj. Bannerman made a statement that spoke right to DWG.“ It’s also about the power of girlhood too! People like to pin women against each other nowadays and I’m like, girl: we gotta stick together!” Ain’t that the truth?
Sharma wrapped by asking the girls to share anything they could about what was coming for Katchella (AKA their 2026 Coachella performance). Bannerman finished the panel off:“ We’re not going to play around, we’re going to give you guys a show.” She leaned over to wink at Raj.“ Lara, can’t wait!” OOH! My sapphic heart is already pounding; if their Coachella interactions will be anything like what went down at Lollapalooza, I know the gays are going to eat it up! KATSEYE was met with a standing ovation, posed for pictures, and I pinched myself as they made their exit, still shell-shocked that I’d even gotten the chance to be in the same room as one of my favorite artists. It’s safe to say that KATSEYE’s Teen Vogue panel was nothing short of #EYEKONIC!
