Although KATSEYE is currently down two members and performing as a quartet, the girl group is a unified front.
Four members of the Grammy-nominated group — Daniela Avanzini, Yoonchae Jeong, Megan Skiendiel and Lara Raj — performed live on the TODAY Plaza on Aug. 14 as part of the Citi Concert Series.
The group, who sang hits like “Gabriela” and “Pinky Up,” also spoke about Sophia Laforteza and Manon Bannerman, two members who announced hiatuses from the band this year.
Craig Melvin asked, “Two of the group members are not here today: Sophia and Manon. We understand they’re taking care of themselves. Have you been able to talk to them? How are they doing?”
Raj responded, “As KATSEYE, it’s so important to us to always prioritize our well-being. We stand by Sophia and Manon through and through. We ride for them.”
Savannah Guthrie followed up by asking if the group had a message for Laforteza and Bannerman.
“We love you guys so much, always,” Raj said, and Skiendiel, Avanzini and Jeong next to her blew kisses.
While appearing on the 3rd Hour of TODAY, the group discussed their new album, “Wild Hearts,” which explores several themes, including mental health. For Skiendiel, specifically, speaking about the topic on the album was “really important.”
“I think that’s something that a lot of people struggle with, and I think it’s so easy to see us from the outside perspective and be like, ‘Oh my God, they have everything sorted out and figured out.’ But in reality, we’re just a bunch of girls still trying to grow up and grow into ourselves,” she said.
The process of growing up comes with “a lot of battles and fights,” and Skiendiel said we should be able to “embrace and share” them.
“I think it was really important for me to share just my own struggles with mental health,” she added.
Life in the public eye comes with a whole extra set of complications, and Craig was curious to know if there are things Skiendiel wishes she’d known to help herself mentally prepare for global superstardom.
“I think something that I’ve learned is breaks are so important and to treat your body like a temple,” she said.
The performer acknowledged that she and her bandmates have a tendency of being “go, go, go” with their hectic schedules, but said she’s learned to schedule time for rest.
“I think something that’s so important that gets overlooked a lot is just taking the time for yourself and healing from within, but also externally as well,” she said.
