KATSEYE's Sophia Laforteza Will Not Join Wildworld Tour in Europe and UK
KATSEYE confirmed on 30 August that leader Sophia Laforteza will not perform on the group's Wildworld Tour dates in Europe and the UK, scheduled for 1–7 September, as she continues a health hiatus that began earlier this month.
The update, signed by HYBE and Geffen Records, was posted on the group's Instagram Stories and on Weverse, the fan-platform app used by HYBE artists. The labels said Laforteza is focusing on her well-being and that the company "remains fully committed to providing her with support and resources" (Billboard).
Laforteza's break was first announced on 7 August, hours before KATSEYE's scheduled show at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles (Los Angeles Times). HYBE x Geffen — the joint venture between South Korea's HYBE and Universal Music's Geffen Records that manages the group — emailed fans that day to say she would "temporarily step away" from promotional activities. According to the company, Laforteza had been receiving support, and after consultations with medical professionals was advised to take an extended period of rest and ongoing care.
Her condition was expected to be reassessed in September, the Los Angeles Times reported. That timeline now aligns with the dates she will miss on tour.
Laforteza's mother, actress Carla Guevara-Laforteza, told Vogue Philippines that her daughter is "literally doing everything to get mentally well," including visits to Disneyland, baking and painting.
The hiatus came roughly six months after fellow member Manon stepped away from group activities in February to focus on her own health and well-being. Manon's status for the upcoming European dates was not addressed in the 30 August notice.
The remaining four members — Lara, Daniela, Yoonchae and Megan — have continued promoting the group's latest music. They made a brief appearance at Olivia Rodrigo's Daisy Chain Fields festival on 29 August.
KATSEYE, a six-member global girl group formed through the 2024 reality series The Debut: Dream Academy, released their EP WILD to a Billboard 200 No. 1 finish — the chart that ranks the most-consumed albums in the US across physical sales, downloads and streaming equivalent album units, the measure that converts plays into sales. The six-track EP includes the Billboard Hot 100 entries "Pinky Up" and "Gnarly." A documentary about the group, Wild Hearts, premiered earlier in August.
For fans holding tickets to the European and UK leg of the Wildworld Tour, the 30 August notice confirms the shows will go ahead as a four-member lineup. No rescheduled dates or plans for Laforteza's return have been announced beyond the September reassessment referenced by the labels.
