KATSEYE may be brand-new to the pop landscape, but the six-member global girl group is already navigating one of fame’s most persistent storylines: dating rumors. In a candid September 2025 Billboard interview, the group discussed what it’s like to live under constant online scrutiny, offering a rare, measured look at how young artists balance privacy, friendships, and the internet’s relentless gaze.
Formed through HYBE and Geffen Records’ reality competition series The Dream Academy, KATSEYE unites members Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeong. Since releasing their debut single, “Debut,” in June 2024, the group has quickly amassed a passionate following — and, inevitably, a swirl of speculation around their personal lives.
KATSEYE Talks Dating Rumors Head-On
While K-pop idols are often tight-lipped about romance, the interviewer noted KATSEYE appears to be “one of the first groups in the K-pop world that is really open about what you’ve got going on in your personal lives.” The members didn’t shy away from the topic, acknowledging the curiosity that surrounds them while underscoring the realities of being in the public eye so early in their careers.
Daniela admitted the group understands why fans are eager to know more about their lives offstage. The attention, however, comes with an unavoidable learning curve. Megan, in particular, laid out the practical steps they take to protect themselves and the people around them.
“I feel like anyone we hang out with, whether they’re friends or whatever, it’s like we always have to warn them that, ‘Hey, this is a big part of our lives,’” Megan explained. “We have to warn them that the internet and like the whole buzz is a big part of our lives. If it does end up happening and you get clipped, it’s inevitable.”
That awareness, the members suggested, is less about secrecy and more about setting expectations in a digital environment where a single photo can be endlessly recirculated and reframed. It’s a boundary that’s as much for friends as it is for the artists themselves.
“Not Everyone We’re Standing Next To Is Our Boyfriend Or Girlfriend”
Two members, Manon and Lara, also addressed the rumor mill from personal experience. Without naming specific instances, Manon offered a clear reminder that proximity isn’t proof of a relationship. “People will make assumptions, like not everyone we’re standing next to is our boyfriend or girlfriend,” she said — a pointed comment amid viral chatter that previously linked her to The Kid LAROI after a VMAs after-party.
Lara added a crucial piece of context about how quickly old content can fuel fresh speculation. “Also, things can be old,” she noted, highlighting how resurfaced photos and clips can be misinterpreted as current — and as something more than they are.
Taken together, their comments draw a line between curiosity and conclusion. The message is simple: being photographed together, attending the same event, or appearing in the same frame does not equate to dating, and it certainly doesn’t confirm a relationship status.
Who Is KATSEYE? The Global Group Behind The Buzz
KATSEYE’s roadmap to stardom was documented in The Dream Academy, HYBE and Geffen Records’ global talent search that brought together artists from different backgrounds and nationalities. The final lineup — Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeong — reflects the project’s international scope and the group’s wide-reaching appeal.
“Debut,” their first single released in June 2024, marked the moment the competition graduates officially stepped onto the world stage. Since then, KATSEYE has found traction across social platforms and with a fast-growing global fanbase drawn to their polished performance style and cross-cultural identity. With visibility comes heightened attention — and their Billboard interview suggests the group is more than prepared to confront it thoughtfully.
Openness Without Oversharing
What stands out in KATSEYE’s comments is a commitment to transparency that doesn’t veer into oversharing. They’re acknowledging the reality of modern fandom — where every friend group outing can become a trending topic — without making their personal lives the centerpiece of their narrative.
In a genre where dating discourse is often handled offstage, KATSEYE’s straightforward approach feels refreshing. It reframes the conversation around respect, context, and boundaries, and offers fans a clearer understanding of how the members hope to be seen: as artists first, and as young people allowed to have friendships and private lives without instantaneous judgment.
Where Their Relationship Status Stands
As for whether any members are currently dating, the group did not confirm any relationships in the interview. Instead, they focused on how they navigate attention and set parameters for themselves and others. That clarity functions as both a subtle debunking of ongoing rumors and an invitation for fans to take a beat before jumping to conclusions.
KATSEYE’s stance adds necessary nuance to a conversation that can easily become tabloid fodder. Their message — that not every interaction signals a romance, and that old posts aren’t new proof — is a practical blueprint for engaging with celebrity culture in the era of viral speculation.
For a group still in its early chapter, it’s a grounded approach. With momentum from their debut and a spotlight that only continues to grow, KATSEYE is choosing to define the terms of their public narrative — not by shutting down curiosity, but by contextualizing it. As the music and milestones stack up, their thoughtful candor may be just as influential as any hit single.
