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Manon Bannerman will not perform at Coachella 2026 with KATSEYE as the group debuts this weekend. The 23-year-old Swiss performer remains on her extended hiatus, confirmed by record label HYBE just hours before the festival kicks off on April 10.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Hiatus Start: Bannerman announced her break on February 20, 2026 to focus on health and wellbeing
- Coachella Dates: KATSEYE performs April 10 and April 17 on the Sahara stage
- Group Members: Five members will perform: Sophia Laforteza, Yoonchae Jeung, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, and Megan Skiendiel
- Latest Update: Bannerman absent from new single “Pinky Up” released April 9, 2026
The Big Coachella Letdown for KATSEYE’s Debut
KATSEYE was set to make its major festival debut at one of the world’s biggest music events. On April 9, messaging from HYBE to The Korea Herald shattered fan hopes. “Manon remains on hiatus,” the label stated coldly. Just one week earlier, HYBE had told the outlet that Bannerman would perform. The sudden reversal shocked the fanbase.
The news landed hard because Bannerman, 23, has been conspicuously absent from nearly all group activities since February 20. She didn’t appear in promotional photos, teasers, or the full music video for the group’s new track. Fans noticed immediately and took to social media with hashtags like #JusticeForManon and #BoycottForManon.
Manon Bannerman won’t perform at Coachella with KATSEYE, staying on hiatus
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From Promise to Public Doubt
When Bannerman first announced her break, KATSEYE’s management said they “fully support this decision.” Her statement read, “After open and thoughtful conversations together, we are sharing that Manon will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing.” The message seemed positive and professional.
But weeks passed with zero visibility from the Swiss-Ghanaian performer. She axed KATSEYE from her Instagram bio entirely on April 2. On Weverse, the fan platform, she posted cryptic messages like, “Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I’m trusting the bigger picture.” Mixed signals fueled intense speculation about whether she’d ever return to the group at all.
Missing from Festival Debut
| Event | Date | Manon Status |
| “Pinky Up” Video | April 9, 2026 | Absent |
| Coachella Performance | April 10, 2026 | Will Not Perform |
| Coachella Performance | April 17, 2026 | Will Not Perform |
| Hiatus Status | Ongoing | Still On Break |
KATSEYE, formed by HYBE and Geffen Records, now faces its biggest stage without its only Black member. The group captured hearts with hits like “Gnarly” and “Gabriela.” They earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance this year. But that success feels hollow when the conversation shifts to Bannerman’s absence.
“Manon has been on hiatus, and we love her so much! We know she’s doing well, and she got to talk to the fans about it. She’s our sister forever, and we love her so much! We built this together, so we want to give her all the space, whatever she needs.”
The remaining KATSEYE members to Apple Music’s Zane Lowe
What Do Fans Really Want to Know?
The fanbase, known as Eyekons, demands answers. Why did HYBE change their story about Coachella performance in just one week? Why does Bannerman’s hiatus keep extending? Industry observers point to tension during training shown in the Netflix documentary “Pop Star Academy.” Some speculated Bannerman faced discrimination because she was scouted for social media presence rather than dance and vocal skills like her peers.
Writers for Elle and Rolling Stone called out potential racial dynamics, with Bannerman being the only Black woman in the group. In a February 2026 interview, Bannerman herself stated, “Being called lazy, especially as a Black girl, is not fair.” The broader conversation now includes whether the music industry is truly supporting women of color at her level.
