Katseye’s Visual Manon announced her “temporary hiatus” to focus on her well-being
Manon, whose full name is Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman, is a 23-year-old Swiss Ghanian pop star from the six-member Global group Katseye that recently took the world by storm. The group which made its official debut in June 2024 after the girls were selected through the highly stressful survival show documented in the Netflix show Pop Star Academy: Dream Academy. Katseye rapidly climbed the ranks in the Entertainment industry, particularly after the trending Gap Ad from last summer. However, after a year of promos, performances at the Grammys and a global tour, Manon is taking a step back to the confusion of fans.
On a late Friday evening (Feb. 20), the official Katseye account posted that Manon is taking a temporary hiatus from the girl group.
“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 post states. “We fully support this decision. KATSEYE remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us. The group will continue scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right. Thank you to our EYEKONS for your continued love, patience, and understanding.” The notice is signed by Hybe and Geffen: the collaborative labels in charge of Katseye,
Manon’s own statement on her hiatus was slightly different from the rhetoric the company was implying.
“I want you to hear this from me, I’m healthy, I’m okay, and I’m taking care of myself,” wrote Manon.
An awkward social media post from another Katseye member’s father adds fuel to the fire.
‘The show must go on. With or without a member. KATSEYE is bigger than one girl,‘ wrote Rafael Avanzini. EYEKONS, the official name for Katseye’s fandom, pushed back sharply, demanded he delete the post and called the post an unnecessary attack during an already vulnerable time. The comment drew widespread condemnation, with many describing it as dismissive of whatever Manon may be going through. Rafael is main dancer’s Daniela Avanzini’s father. Daniela, who was already receiving loads of hate from EYEKONS already after she controversial declared her love for rapper Playboi Carti, a known abuser, is once again under fire for her father’s shady comments.
No official reason has been said for Manon’s indefinite hiatus, prompting tons of speculation from the fandom. Some fans believe she is stepping back to focus on her health. Others are convinced the decision is tied to the group’s creative direction. But recently fans are starting to believe Manon was mistreated by her label after the star liked a post on Instagram stating, “Another Black girl subjected to racism and label mistreatment yet again.” With the OP comparing Manon to famously mistreated black female pop stars such as Normani from fifth Harmony and Leigh-Anne from little mix.
Rumors about Manon’s mistreatment aren’t exactly new as her label has been repeatedly accused of sidelining her when they forgot to record her reaction to getting her own Monster High Doll after the group’s colla with Monster High where every other member got a cameo or when her own company described her as lazy in a fan pop-up advertisement that had five descriptive adjectives about each member.
Sadly, while majority of fans support her, aloud minority claims that Manon is “not black enough” to represent black girls around the globe.
Manon is biracial, born to a Swiss and Italian mother and a Ghanian father. She wears waist beads and reps her culture loudly in the media including her distinct hairstyles and fashion.
Hence, why the lazy rhetoric pushed by the media and her label is microaggression. Particularly, as black female pop stars tend to be heavily scrutinized in comparison to their non-black members who are extended more grace in times of error or when they take their own hiatuses.
“Being called lazy, especially as a Black girl, is not fair,” Manon stated. Especially, as her fellow group member Meghan took a hiatus last year without half of the discourse.
With no further updates, we hope that Manon returns after a hiatus and that this isn’t a soft launch for a group exit like others before her.