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Manon Katseye Hiatus: What We Know About Her Absence from KATSEYE

Henry William Smith Jones • 2026-07-17 • Reviewed by Maya Thompson

When a member of a fast-rising girl group steps away months after debut, the rumor mill spins fast. On February 20, 2026, KATSEYE’s agency announced that Manon Bannerman would take a temporary hiatus to focus on her health and wellbeing (People). This article pieces together the official statements, media reports, and timeline to clarify what we actually know — and what remains uncertain.

Full Name: Manon Bannerman ·
Age (Feb 2026): 23 ·
Current Status: On hiatus since February 2026

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Manon Bannerman is a current member of KATSEYE on hiatus, not a former member (Deadline)
  • Hiatus reason is not related to race (Billboard)
  • Manon is of Swiss and Ghanaian heritage (Billboard)
  • She released a statement saying she is happy and healthy (Forbes)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact reason for hiatus (health vs other factors)
  • When or if she will return to full group activities
  • Nature of personal relationships with each member
  • Validity of unfollow rumors
3Timeline signal
  • 2024 — Manon debuts with KATSEYE (Deadline)
  • February 20, 2026 — Hiatus announcement (People)
  • March 2026 — First public performance without Manon (Forbes)
  • June 2026 — Members say they’ve been in contact with Manon (Billboard)
4What’s next

The table below consolidates the core facts about Manon’s status.

Fact Details Source
Full Name Manon Bannerman People
Group KATSEYE Deadline
Hiatus Start February 20, 2026 People
Hiatus Reason (Official) Focus on health and wellbeing People
Age (as of Feb 2026) 23 People
Current Status Current member on hiatus Deadline

Why is Manon no longer in KATSEYE?

Official statement from HxG

  • HYBE x Geffen (HxG) announced on February 20, 2026 that Manon would temporarily step back from group activities (Deadline).
  • The agency stated the decision was made to allow Manon to focus on her health and wellbeing (People).
  • KATSEYE would continue scheduled activities without her (Deadline).

Manon’s personal statement

  • Manon posted a message on Weverse saying she is “happy and healthy” and that events were beyond her control (Forbes).
  • She emphasized she is taking care of herself and trusting the bigger picture (Forbes).

Details from Billboard article

  • On June 30, 2026, Billboard reported that KATSEYE members rejected speculation that the hiatus was race-related (Billboard).
  • Members said they had been in contact with Manon “here and there” since February (Billboard).
Bottom line: Manon’s hiatus was announced as temporary for health reasons, and the group has publicly denied race as a factor. The exact nature of her absence remains private.

The implication: The official narrative leaves room for privacy, but the lack of detail fuels speculation.

Is Manon an ex-member of KATSEYE?

Current member status

  • Manon is still listed as a member of KATSEYE on all official channels (Deadline).
  • No announcement of departure has been made (Forbes).

Differences between hiatus and departure

  • Hiatus means a temporary pause; departure would require an official exit statement (KATSEYE Instagram).
  • The group’s Instagram post on June 26, 2026 asked fans not to assume she is gone permanently (KATSEYE Instagram).
Bottom line: Manon is not an ex-member. She is on a temporary hiatus with no official departure.

The pattern: The agency has consistently reinforced the temporary nature of the pause.

Is Manon still friends with KATSEYE?

Interviews with KATSEYE members

  • Members told Billboard they have been in contact with Manon “here and there” (Billboard).
  • No member has spoken negatively about her in public (Billboard).

Social media interactions

  • Unfollow rumors circulated on social media platforms but remain unconfirmed by any reliable source.
  • Manon’s own statements have not mentioned any interpersonal conflict (Forbes).

Addressing feud rumors

  • No official statement from either side confirms a feud.
  • Billboard’s report explicitly denies race-related tension but does not address personal dynamics (Billboard).
The trade-off

Without direct confirmation from Manon or the group about personal relationships, fans are left to weigh the members’ supportive public statements against unverified social media rumors. The available evidence points to continued contact, not estrangement.

What this means: The public record suggests ongoing communication, but the full picture remains private.

Is Manon from KATSEYE Ghanaian?

Manon’s ethnicity and nationality

  • Manon Bannerman was born in Switzerland and has a Ghanaian father (Billboard).
  • She identifies with her Ghanaian heritage (Billboard).

Family background

  • No further details about her parents are available from official sources.

Her Wikipedia entry

  • Wikipedia notes her Swiss-Ghanaian background and her birth on July 15, 2001 (Wikipedia).
Bottom line: Manon is Swiss-born with Ghanaian heritage, making her the first Black artist signed to a Hybe label — a distinction noted in multiple outlets.

The catch: Her heritage is a notable first, but the agency has not used it as a focal point in hiatus messaging.

Will Manon be gone forever?

Statements about return

  • KATSEYE’s agency described the hiatus as “temporary” (KATSEYE Instagram).
  • Manon’s own message suggested she is taking time but did not indicate a permanent departure (Forbes).

Current tour activities

  • KATSEYE performed at Coachella in April 2026 without Manon (NewsKatseye (social media)).
  • The group has continued public performances and media appearances (Forbes).

Future plans

  • As of July 2026, no return date has been announced (KATSEYE Instagram).
  • Billboard reported that HxG continues to have “positive conversations” with Manon (Billboard).
Why this matters

The indefinite timeline leaves fans in a holding pattern. For the group, continuing as six (or five) creates operational stability, but ambiguity can erode fan trust. For Manon, the lack of a public return schedule gives her space to recover without pressure.

The implication: The door remains open, but no timeline is set, leaving both fans and the group in a waiting game.

Timeline of Events

  • 2024: Manon Bannerman debuts as a member of KATSEYE (Deadline).
  • February 20, 2026: HxG announces Manon is taking a temporary hiatus for health and wellbeing (People).
  • February 20, 2026: Manon posts a reassurance message on Weverse (Forbes).
  • March 14, 2026: KATSEYE performs publicly without Manon for the first time (Forbes).
  • June 26, 2026: KATSEYE Instagram asks fans not to make assumptions about Manon’s return (KATSEYE Instagram).
  • June 30, 2026: Billboard publishes interview where members reject race speculation and confirm they’re in touch (Billboard).

The pattern: The timeline shows a clear sequence of official statements, with the group continuing activities while leaving the door open.

Confirmed Facts vs. Unclear Details

Confirmed facts

  • Manon Bannerman is a current KATSEYE member on hiatus (Deadline)
  • Hiatus reason not related to race (Billboard)
  • Manon is Swiss-Ghanaian (Billboard)
  • She said she is happy and healthy (Forbes)

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for hiatus beyond “health and wellbeing”
  • When or if she will return to full group activities
  • Nature of personal relationships with each member
  • Validity of unfollow rumors on social media
  • Whether she has been in touch with all members equally (Billboard reports “here and there”)

The catch: The balance of confirmed vs. unclear shows that while the official story is consistent, the gaps remain significant.

What the Key Figures Have Said

“She’s taking some time to focus on her health and wellbeing. We fully support her and ask for privacy during this period.”

— HxG (agency) statement reported by Deadline

“I’m happy and I’m healthy. Things are happening that are out of my control but I trust the bigger picture.”

— Manon Bannerman via Weverse, reported by Forbes

“We’ve been in contact with her here and there. The reason is not about race.”

— KATSEYE members to Billboard, June 2026

“Please don’t make assumptions about her return. We’re having positive conversations.”

— KATSEYE Instagram post, June 26, 2026

For fans following this story closely, the pattern is clear: official sources confirm the hiatus is temporary and health-related, but the lack of a timeline leaves the future open. For the group HxG, the priority appears to be maintaining group momentum while leaving the door open for Manon’s return. For supporters, the most concrete action is to wait for verified updates rather than trust unconfirmed social media narratives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Manon Bannerman’s real name?

Her full name is Manon Bannerman (People). She performs under her first name only.

How many members are in KATSEYE?

KATSEYE debuted as a six-member group in 2024. Currently, five members are active due to Manon’s hiatus (Deadline).

What songs has Manon performed with KATSEYE?

Manon participated in all KATSEYE releases and performances before her hiatus, though specific song credits require verification. Official discography is available on the group’s channel.

Is Manon active on Instagram?

She maintains a personal Instagram account but has not posted publicly about the hiatus beyond her initial Weverse statement.

What is Manon’s nationality?

She was born in Switzerland and holds Swiss nationality, with Ghanaian heritage from her father’s side (Billboard).

Did Manon attend the Grammys?

KATSEYE was nominated for two Grammys, but Manon was not publicly seen at the ceremony during her hiatus period.

What is the name of KATSEYE’s agency?

The group is managed by HYBE x Geffen (HxG).

The implication: The FAQ covers the most common questions, but the answers remain limited by the lack of official detail.

Related reading

Bottom line: The catch: These related articles offer deeper context for fans following similar stories.



Henry William Smith Jones

About the author

Henry William Smith Jones

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.