KATSEYE arrived at the 2026 American Music Awards in Las Vegas as one of the night's most talked-about new acts, walking away with a clean sweep of all three of their nominations. The global girl group won New Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Pop Artist, and Best Music Video for 'Gnarly', marking a defining moment in their rapid rise across the international pop scene.
The group's victory at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on 25 May 2026 also marked their first major awards show appearance as a five-member line-up. But while the wins dominated headlines, a different conversation quickly took over online—the continued absence of founding member Manon Bannerman, who remains on hiatus.
@katseyeworld we literally can’t believe this!! we just won 3 American Music Awards?? EYEKONS, we owe it all to you!! 🥹🖤 #KATSEYE ♬ olivia rodrigo used this sound - 🪩
A Perfect Night on Paper — and a Complicated One Online
On stage and in the press room, members Lara Raj, Sophia, Megan, Daniela and Yoonchae celebrated visibly, reacting in real time as their names were called out across categories. A viral clip showed the group screaming in disbelief, with Daniela briefly sinking to the floor in shock as the first win was announced.
Their New Artist of the Year win was especially significant, coming ahead of a competitive shortlist that included Alex Warren, Ella Langley, Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean and Sombr. It cemented KATSEYE's position as one of the most closely watched new acts in global pop.
In their acceptance speeches, the members thanked fans — known as the Eyekons — alongside their families and HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk. Sophia Laforteza also gave a shoutout to BTS, saying they had inspired the group to represent our culture on a global scale.
But despite the celebratory tone, social media quickly shifted focus away from the wins themselves.
Fans Question Manon's Absence as Group Moves Forward
Almost immediately after the broadcast, viewers began commenting on Manon Bannerman's absence from both the ceremony and the acceptance speeches.
One viral comment read: 'The fact that this award is the work all six of you put last year, but Manon isn't there or even mentioned, is crazy.' Another user added: 'No mention of Manon during the acceptance speeches is so wrong. I'm so done with this group.'
Manon, a founding member of KATSEYE, has been on hiatus since February 2026. At the time, HYBE and Geffen Records confirmed she was stepping back to focus on her health and well-being, with no set return date announced.
Her absence has now stretched across several major milestones for the group—including their Coachella debut in April and the release of their recent single run leading into the AMAs. While she has remained officially credited as a member, her continued absence from public appearances has created growing tension among parts of the fanbase.
'Pinky up' Performance Signals the Group's New Era
Despite the controversy online, KATSEYE's AMAs performance was widely praised as one of the night's most visually ambitious pop sets. The group performed their track 'Pinky Up', emerging from a giant pink teddy bear fitted with speakers before launching into a theatrical tea-party concept filled with oversized props, pastel staging and choreographed chaos.
The performance marked their first televised awards show stage as a five-member unit, reinforcing the group's evolving identity following Manon's hiatus.
Their momentum has been building steadily throughout 2026. Following their Coachella debut earlier in the year — where Lara Raj described the festival as a 'number one dream' — the AMAs sweep now marks their third major public milestone in rapid succession.
A Group in Transition, Not Pause
HYBE and Geffen Records have maintained that Manon remains part of KATSEYE, describing her absence as temporary. However, with no timeline provided for her return, speculation has continued to grow across fan communities.
Industry observers have noted that the group's recent performances and releases are increasingly being shaped around a five-member format, including their upcoming EP Wild and the WILDWORLD tour, which will span 28 dates across the UK, Europe, and North America.
At the same time, BTS's presence at the same awards ceremony — where they won Artist of the Year — added further attention to HYBE's broader global strategy, with KATSEYE increasingly positioned as part of its expanding international roster.
What Comes Next for KATSEYE
With three AMA wins secured in a single night, KATSEYE's trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. Their upcoming EP Wild, set for release in August, will feature five tracks and lead into a major international tour stretching through November.
Yet even as their commercial and critical success accelerates, the conversation around their identity remains unresolved for some fans. The group's rapid rise has been defined not only by their performances and awards, but also by the absence of one of their original members—a detail that continues to follow them at every major milestone.
For now, KATSEYE moves forward as a five-piece on the global stage, celebrating breakthrough success while navigating the complexities of change behind the scenes.
