About KATSEYE Members: Age and Pre-Debut Stories

KATSEYE members' ages span from 16 to 22, creating a dynamic blend of youthful energy and mature talent in this groundbreaking multinational girl group. Selected from an astounding pool of more than 120,000 applicants, these six performers emerged victorious through the intense reality competition series "The Debut: Dream Academy."

Following their formation in November 2023, KATSEYE quickly established themselves in the global music scene. The members of KATSEYE—Sophia (21), Lara (18), Daniela (20), Yoonchae (16), Megan (17), and Manon (22)—represent a carefully curated team under the powerhouse collaboration between HYBE Corporation and Geffen Records. Their journey from auditions to stardom culminated with their official debut single aptly titled "Debut" on June 28, 2024, followed by their viral hit "Touch" and their first EP "SIS (Soft Is Strong)". Beyond their impressive music credentials, each member brings unique cultural backgrounds, hidden talents, and compelling pre-debut stories that have shaped their artistic identities.

The Youngest and Oldest Members of KATSEYE

In KATSEYE, a six-year age gap separates the group's youngest and oldest members, creating a fascinating dynamic that influences their performances and relationships. This age range brings together different perspectives, experiences, and talents that contribute to the group's unique chemistry.

Who are the youngest and oldest members?

At the youngest end of the spectrum stands Jeung Yoonchae, who was born on December 6, 2007, making her 17 years old as of 2025. Known affectionately as the "maknae" (a Korean term for the youngest member), Yoonchae holds a special position in the group's structure. Her youth brings fresh energy to KATSEYE, yet she possesses remarkable maturity, having started her K-pop trainee journey in 2020 when she was just 13 years old.

At the opposite end, Manon Bannerman claims the title of KATSEYE's oldest member. Born on June 26, 2002, in Zürich, Switzerland, she is 23 years old as of 2025. With her multicultural background—her father is from Ghana while her mother is Swiss-Italian—Manon brings a worldly perspective to the group.

Between these two anchors, the other members form a balanced age distribution:

Sophia Laforteza: Born December 31, 2002 (22 years old)
Daniela Avanzini: Born July 1, 2004 (21 years old)
Lara Rajagopalan: Born November 3, 2005 (19 years old)
Megan Skiendiel: Born February 10, 2006 (19 years old)

How age impacts group dynamics

The six-year span between KATSEYE's members creates a unique social structure within the group. Although this age difference might seem modest, it's particularly significant in the K-pop industry, where age hierarchies often influence group interactions.

Interestingly, the dormitory arrangements reflect a thoughtful balance between ages. According to reports, Yoonchae shares a room with Sophia despite their five-year age gap. Similarly, Manon and Daniela are roommates, as are Lara and Megan. These pairings suggest a deliberate mixing of ages rather than grouping by age proximity.

The members have publicly referred to themselves as "sisters," highlighting how their relationships transcend mere professional connections. As Manon explained in an interview, "One of our big, big things is that we want to show our diversity. I think it's such a beautiful thing about our group that every young girl can look at our group and see herself in us because we're so diverse and different". This sisterhood mentality helps bridge any age gaps, creating a supportive environment where each member can thrive regardless of her age.

Interesting age-related trivia

Perhaps most impressive about KATSEYE's members is how early they began their artistic journeys. Despite their youth, each member has accumulated years of training and experience:

Sophia began singing at the tender age of 3, calling it her "first love"
Daniela started dancing at age 4, following in the footsteps of her mother, who was the first Cuban to win a world ballroom championship
Lara has nurtured dreams of pop stardom since she was 4 years old
Megan commenced her dance training at age 4

Yoonchae's educational milestone coincided perfectly with the group's launch—she graduated high school in June 2024, just weeks before KATSEYE made their official debut. Additionally, the age difference between members is reflected in their musical influences. For instance, Yoonchae cites BTS as her inspiration for pursuing K-pop, while other members mention different role models.

Despite being the youngest, Yoonchae stands tall at 5'7" (170 cm), sharing the distinction of being one of the tallest members alongside Megan. Meanwhile, Manon has leveraged her age and experience effectively, having built a following through TikTok and Instagram since 2021, before joining KATSEYE.

This blend of youthful energy and seasoned talent creates a balanced group dynamic that serves KATSEYE well as they navigate the competitive global music landscape.

Sophia

Born on the last day of 2002, Sophia Laforteza stands as one of the senior members of KATSEYE at 22 years old. As KATSEYE's leader, she brings both maturity and a rich cultural heritage that has profoundly shaped her artistic identity.

Sophia's age and cultural background

Though born in Queens, New York, granting her dual citizenship at birth, Sophia culturally identifies as Filipino rather than Filipino-American. Her global perspective was further enhanced during her childhood when she lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, due to her father's professional commitments. This multicultural upbringing gifted her with fluency in both English and Tagalog.

Sophia's academic achievements match her artistic talents. In 2021, she graduated with highest honors from the Multiple Intelligence International School in the Philippines, an institution known for its non-traditional educational approach. Her exceptional academic performance demonstrates the same dedication she brings to her musical career.

As the first Filipino talent to sign with HYBE, Sophia carries immense pride in representing her heritage on the global stage. "I'm very, very proud of who I am, where I come from, and my culture, so it almost makes it easy to walk around and say, 'Hey, I'm Filipino' as I am," she explained in an interview. This cultural pride resonates throughout her performances and public appearances.

Sophia's pre-debut media appearances

Even before joining KATSEYE, Sophia had already gained some media experience. In 2022, she appeared as a contestant on the game show Family Feud Philippines. Her earliest television appearance dates back to 2008 when she featured on "She Said She Said" with her family, demonstrating her comfort with the spotlight from a young age.

Her journey to KATSEYE began when she auditioned for the training program without her family's knowledge, performing "Part of Your World" from Disney's The Little Mermaid as her audition piece. This independent decision proved pivotal as she ultimately ranked first in the survival show "The Debut: Dream Academy", securing her position in the group.

During an interview, Sophia revealed: "I knew that even in an alternate universe where I didn't make it to KATSEYE, I knew that simply by being in that position of even starting in the program, or even being just a trainee then, like that in itself was something that was already for me quite the journey that went far already".

Sophia's musical influences and family ties

Sophia's artistic talents flow through her bloodline. Her mother, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, is a celebrated Filipino musical theatre actress and singer, whereas her father, Basilio Godfrey Laforteza III, was a dancer before becoming an executive chef in Manila. Moreover, she has an older brother named Luke Gregory.

Her musical journey began remarkably early:

Started singing at just 3 years old

Regarding her musical influences, Sophia consistently cites Ariana Grande as her favorite artist. "She taught me how to sing, and she does it all, whether it's musical theatre or pop," Sophia shared. This admiration reflects her own aspirations to excel in both musical theatre and pop music.

Beyond individual artists, Sophia draws inspiration from girl groups like LE SSERAFIM and XG. She has also expressed admiration for BTS, specifically naming V as her role model.

The influence of her mother's theatre background remains especially significant. "Growing up deeply in the world of Philippine musical theater has affected a lot of how I am today," Sophia reflected, crediting her mother's discipline and dedication as formative to her own artistic development.

Manon

At the crossroads of three distinct cultures stands Manon Bannerman, the oldest member of KATSEYE whose diverse heritage and unexpected path to stardom make her story particularly compelling.

Manon's age and multicultural roots

Born as Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman on June 26, 2002, in Zürich, Switzerland, Manon celebrated her 23rd birthday in 2025. Her rich cultural tapestry comes from her Swiss-Italian mother and Ghanaian father, giving her a unique ethnic background that blends European and West African heritage.

From an early age, Manon found herself drawn to the vibrant musical traditions of her father's homeland. "My first memory of finding joy in music and the stage was in my dad's hometown in Ghana, where music was life and a way of life," she revealed in an interview. Her father would often jokingly call her "Beyoncé" as she looked up to the singer as inspiration.

In fact, Manon actively embraces her Ghanaian roots through her fashion choices. She regularly incorporates traditional Ghanaian waist beads into nearly every outfit and features unique braiding patterns in her hairstyles. "Being able to represent my culture, it honestly is like one of my favorite things about this," she stated emotionally in a Billboard Philippines interview.

Manon's modeling and songwriting journey

Manon's artistic journey began remarkably early – she knew she wanted to be a performer by age 4. Nevertheless, pursuing music professionally seemed like an unrealistic dream while growing up in Switzerland.

At 15, she moved to Zürich and started attending art school. This period marked a significant turning point as she began teaching herself to play piano and ukulele, channeling her creativity into songwriting. "There were a lot of cringey love songs about crushes or my cat," she laughingly confessed about her early compositions.

Following high school, Manon spent an exchange year in Los Angeles, California. Interestingly, this is when she began going by her middle name "Manon" instead of "Meret," as American students struggled with pronouncing her first name. Upon returning to Switzerland, she built a career as a model and social media influencer, collaborating with popular beauty and fashion brands.

Her path to KATSEYE began unexpectedly when a casting agent named Michelle discovered her on TikTok, impressed by her "star quality" and "it factor". Initially reluctant to audition due to her lack of formal training, Manon eventually sent in a video singing Dua Lipa's "Don't Start Now". In May 2022, she learned she'd been selected from over 120,000 applicants worldwide.

Manon's language skills and personality

Impressively, Manon navigates multiple languages with ease. She speaks:

Swiss-German (her first language)
German
English
Basic French

Furthermore, she expressed interest in learning Twi, the language spoken in Ghana: "I've been trying to get more into learning Twi from my dad. That's what they speak in Ghana. He unfortunately didn't teach me growing up but my auntie really wants me to learn it".

Regarding her personality, Manon describes herself with three words: "cool, kind, non-judgmental". Her MBTI personality type is ENFJ-T, suggesting she's an outgoing, empathetic individual.

Throughout her journey with KATSEYE, Manon has maintained a positive perspective on criticism: "Honestly, I tend not to take it personally unless it's constructive criticism, but if it's hate — don't let that get to you. Haters come with success, it's just a given".

She has openly discussed the challenges of growing up as one of the few Black girls in her Swiss school, where she faced hurtful comments about her hair. Consequently, she learned to braid her own hair through YouTube tutorials – a skill she now shares with fans on social media.

Daniela

From competitive ballroom stages to global pop stardom, Daniela Avanzini's journey showcases her extraordinary dance pedigree and performing arts background. As KATSEYE's resident dance expert, her technical foundation adds a unique dimension to the group's performances.

Daniela's age and dance heritage

Born on July 1, 2004, in Atlanta, Georgia, Daniela is currently 21 years old. Notably, she was born into a family with deep roots in professional dance. Both her parents worked as professional Latin ballroom dancers and dancesport instructors. Her mother's accomplishment stands out in particular—she was the first Cuban to ever win a world ballroom championship.

This rich dance heritage shaped Daniela from an exceptionally young age. She began learning dancesport at just three years old, plus continued developing her skills throughout childhood. Her multicultural background—being of Cuban, Venezuelan, and Italian descent—has simultaneously influenced her artistic expression and dance style.

As she explained in an interview: "Growing up in a Spanish-Latin household, my family has always tried to make sure that I'm infused with the culture as much as possible growing up, and to embrace my culture as much as I can –– whether it's through music, dance, or fashion".

Daniela's TV appearances and competitions

Even before joining KATSEYE, Daniela had built an impressive résumé of competition appearances and television performances:

At age seven (2011), she earned second place as a grand finalist at the international competition Super Kids Europe
In 2013, she reached the Vegas Rounds of America's Got Talent (Season 8) as a samba dancer with partner Yasha Jeltuhin
She participated in So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation, becoming the first contestant eliminated and placing 10th
She appeared on The Queen Latifah Show as part of an 'America's Most Talented Kids' segment
In 2020, she performed on children's television series Wonderama, showcasing original choreography combining salsa, hip-hop, acrobatic and jazz elements
In 2021, she appeared in MattyBRaps' music video for "Dramatic"

Beyond these appearances, Daniela also pursued acting, appearing in the independent film Georgia Sky in 2021, where she portrayed a young dancer.

Daniela's bold personality and ambitions

Those who know Daniela describe her as affectionate, charismatic, and determined. She considers herself "very loving and affectionate" and her charm symbol within KATSEYE represents "bold confidence, strength, courage, and loyalty".

Her ambitions for KATSEYE reflect her passionate personality. "I envision KATSEYE evolving into a powerful global girl group that inspires young girls and tours around the world to meet fans," she has stated.

Regarding her journey with the group, Daniela remains focused on authenticity: "I think it's super important not to lose yourself and to keep your identity in everything that you do, because it would be boring if we were all the same exact thing". This philosophy extends to her approach to criticism: "As cliche as it might sound, I feel like being confident in yourself and not caring about reading the hate comments has been most helpful. Just knowing your self-worth, I think, is super important".

Lara

Proudly representing her South Asian heritage within KATSEYE, Lara Raj's journey combines artistic talent with passionate activism, making her one of the group's most distinctive personalities.

Lara's age and Tamil-American identity

Born on November 3, 2005, Lara is currently 19 years old. As the daughter of an Indian mother and Sri Lankan father, both ethnically Tamil, Lara embraces her South Asian roots with pride. She was born in Connecticut and later spent significant portions of her childhood in Dallas, Texas, where she encountered cultural challenges that ultimately strengthened her resolve.

"Growing up in America, being brown is really not easy at all," Lara has candidly shared, referring to the stereotypes and jokes she endured. However, these experiences fostered her determination to transform elements of her heritage into sources of pride: "I really wanted to make something like the Ohm necklace or the bindi into a fashion statement".

Alongside English, Lara speaks Tamil fluently, connecting her to her family's cultural traditions. Indeed, visiting India and later moving to New York for high school helped her develop a deeper appreciation for her heritage: "I realized how valuable and deep my culture is, and people sometimes still don't see it as a cool thing".

Lara's early activism and music production

Even before KATSEYE, Lara demonstrated her commitment to social causes. Notably, she featured in Michelle Obama's Global Girls Alliance campaign video, advocating for women's education rights. Furthermore, she co-hosted the American Heart Association's 'Go Red For Women' campaign, showcasing her dedication to meaningful causes from a young age.

In March 2025, Lara made headlines by coming out as queer on Weverse, describing herself as "half fruitcake". Subsequently, she accepted the Blooming Impact Award from the Los Angeles LGBT Center. During her acceptance speech, she reflected: "Growing up, I dealt with a lot of complexity and fear understanding my queerness and being able to voice it out loud".

Music production ranks among Lara's primary passions. Her sister, Rhea Raj—also a singer-songwriter and actress—has mentored her in this area. Together, they collaborate creatively, with Rhea bringing Lara into studio sessions and seeking her input on tracks.

Lara's fashion sense and role models

Lara's distinctive style blends traditional South Asian elements with contemporary fashion. Her mother, a Bollywood dance teacher and chef, significantly influenced her aesthetic sensibilities: "My mom loves to wear her traditional wedding jewelry with American clothes, which I always thought was so cool growing up".

Concerning her style evolution, Lara notes: "Some days I love to be super feminine and I love to show a bunch of skin and really be super girly. And then some days I love to be more masculine, baggy clothes, and really have my tattoos out". Her fashion preferences include brands like Diesel and Balenciaga, yet she's consciously expanding her horizons: "I don't want to be boxed anymore".

Among her musical role models, Lara cites ENHYPEN's Ni-Ki and BTS' Jimin for their "dancing and elegance". Additionally, she has expressed interest in collaborating with diverse artists including Rihanna, Britney Spears, Timbaland, BTS Jimin, Pharrell Williams, and M.I.A.

Megan

With a background in both runway modeling and J-pop training, Megan Skiendiel brings unique artistic versatility to KATSEYE alongside her distinctive multicultural identity.

Megan's age and mixed heritage

Born on February 10, 2006, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Megan currently stands as one of the younger members of KATSEYE at 18 years old. Her rich ethnic background reflects the group's global character—her mother is Singaporean-Chinese, whereas her father has American-Swedish ancestry. This Eurasian heritage creates her distinctive appearance that has served her well in the modeling world.

Megan's early life unfolded primarily in Hawaii, where she lived until age 10. Thereafter, she followed an unusual schedule—spending weekdays in Hawaii pursuing her dreams, then flying to Los Angeles on weekends for studies before returning. Eventually, her family separated geographically; her father remained in Hawaii, yet her mother and brother relocated permanently to Los Angeles.

The young performer credits her mother as a defining influence: "My mum always pushes me to be the greatest version of myself, even though it's hard sometimes. That's how she shows her love for me, and I love her so much for that". She affectionately refers to her as a "tiger and dragon mum".

Megan's modeling and J-pop training

Prior to joining KATSEYE, Megan built an impressive modeling portfolio. She participated in high-fashion couture shows during both Paris and Los Angeles Fashion Weeks. At just 5'6" tall, she nevertheless made her mark in runway modeling.

Essentially unknown to most fans until recently, Megan revealed in Weverse messages that she trained as a J-pop performer "for a minute", albeit without disclosing which company. Her J-pop influence occasionally surfaces in performances, noticeable in her bouncy movements and detailed expressions.

Megan's academic challenges and strengths

Despite her artistic talents, Megan has navigated significant learning challenges. She candidly disclosed her dyslexia during a September 2024 livestream when asked about her favorite book: "Girl, I wish I had a favorite book. I can't read. I'm dyslexic. But I love audio books!". This revelation earned praise from fans who appreciated her openness about neurodiversity.

Contrary to what some might expect, Megan excels at mathematics. She completed her education through online schooling starting from fourth grade, which was "the last time she wrote an essay". Beyond academics, she brings impressive dance credentials to KATSEYE, having started with Hula and Tahitian dance at age two before expanding into various dance genres.

Yoonchae

As the sole Korean member of KATSEYE, Jeong Yoonchae represents her homeland's rich K-pop tradition within this multinational ensemble. Her journey from trainee to global star showcases both traditional K-pop development and fresh international influences.

Yoonchae's age and K-pop trainee background

Born on December 6, 2007, Yoonchae holds the distinction of being KATSEYE's maknae (youngest member) at 17 years old. Standing 5'7" (170 cm) tall, her K-pop career began early when she passed auditions for CJ E&M in 2020, training there for two years. Throughout this period, she formed meaningful connections, including a friendship with izna's Choi Jungeun when both were trainees under WAKEONE. Her pivotal breakthrough came through "The Debut: Dream Academy," where she ranked fourth in the finale, securing her position in KATSEYE.

Yoonchae's inspirations and training history

Unexpectedly, Yoonchae cites Britney Spears as her introduction to global pop music. Nevertheless, BTS profoundly influenced her decision to pursue a K-pop career. Among contemporary artists, she admires Ariana Grande, appreciating "her amazing voice", plus dreams of collaborating with Korean soloist IU. Given that Yoonchae arrived last to the training program, her exceptional preparation compensated for her late entry.

Yoonchae's quirky personality and habits

Initially struggling with confidence during "Dream Academy", Yoonchae developed an alter ego affectionately dubbed "C*ntchae" by her groupmates. "It came so suddenly during rehearsal when they were trying to get me out of my shell," she explained. This persona helped her find her voice on stage. Off stage, Yoonchae enjoys watching mukbang (Korean eating shows) alongside Korean drama "Twenty-Five Twenty-One". Her personal fashion preference leans toward "baggy pants with anything". In essence, her name perfectly encapsulates her ambition—"I want to lighten up the world".

FAQS

Fans continuously ask questions about KATSEYE beyond their age demographics. At times, these inquiries focus on their group dynamics and official designations.

KATSEYE's official fandom name is "EYEKONS," a clever combination of "eye" (from KATSEYE) and "icon". Currently, their dormitory arrangements pair members strategically: Manon with Daniela, Sophia with Yoonchae, plus Lara with Megan.

Questions frequently arise regarding member positions within the group. Officially, Sophia serves as leader, Lara holds main vocal position, Megan functions as all-rounder, Daniela takes main dancer role, besides Manon being designated as visual. These positions reflect K-pop's traditional structure yet don't limit members' contributions.

Followers can connect with KATSEYE across multiple platforms including Instagram, Twitter, TikTok (@katseyeworld), YouTube, Weverse, in addition to music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Melon, plus Bugs.