During a fan Q&A in Sydney, the five-member group KATSEYE sketched out an ambitious vision for their future that spans music festivals, major brand partnerships, and a cinematic venture inspired by the Spice Girls playbook.
The group, which emerged from a global talent search that drew over 120,000 applicants, revealed plans for a "KATSEYE World" film project modeled on the 1997 Spice Girls movie Spice World. "You know like the Spice Girls Spice World? Have a story but still play ourselves," member Sophia Laforteza explained. "I wanna do a KATSEYE movie."
On the music side, Laforteza and other members were unequivocal about their festival ambitions. "We want to headline Coachella. Headline Lollapalooza. Headline everything," she said, while bandmate Megan Skiendiel added that a Met Gala appearance is also on the wish list. Lara Raj spoke to broader aspirations, naming a Grammy win and full album release as core goals.
The group is gearing up to release a new EP with a markedly different aesthetic than their previous work. Laforteza described the moodboard as pushing toward authenticity and a "messier" presentation. "We wanted to be a bit messier, and everything doesn't have to be too polished," she said. The new direction builds on their debut EP Pinky Up, which Laforteza characterized as "very posh," while this next era aims for a "modern and relaxed twist."
Members also fielded questions about their path to joining KATSEYE, which revealed a mix of serendipity and industry scouts. Laforteza found the audition through BTS's YouTube channel and applied during the initial announcement. Skiendiel was scouted while training under another entertainment company. Daniela Avanzini credits a gut feeling that moved her mother to actually open an audition email she'd normally ignore. Lara Raj was discovered through a singing cover she posted online, though the initial contact came as a suspicious-looking DM. Yoonchae Jeung was filmed by a teacher at her high school singing academy, and that footage reached HYBE and Geffen.
When asked about the group's chemistry and what makes them work, Raj emphasized communication. "You have to talk and be so honest. Even if there's a little thing that doesn't seem relevant, we still bring it up to each other," she said. "We really make an effort to have tough conversations with each other, and also hanging out outside work is huge."
Beyond music, members expressed interest in fashion, acting, activism, and theatrical performance. Skiendiel has already designed merch for their tour and hopes to become a fashion designer. Avanzini, who appeared in furniture store commercials as a child, wants to pursue acting and modeling. Raj hopes to launch her own jewelry line and pursue activism work. Laforteza said musical theatre is in her sights, though KATSEYE comes first. Jeung named acting as a goal.
The group also shared that their families have embraced their success with enthusiasm, though in unexpected ways. Skiendiel joked that her mother is "begging me to introduce her to BTS." Laforteza's father is also a BTS fan, along with LE SSERAFIM. Avanzini's mother has become something of a social media personality off the back of her daughter's fame. "My mum especially, she loves the attention and she'll use it," Avanzini said. "I'm like mum, chill."
When it comes to dream collaborators, both Laforteza and Raj named Ariana Grande without hesitation. "I'm never gonna stop saying it until it happens," Laforteza said.
Author Jessica Williams: "KATSEYE has the hunger and the specificity to actually pull off these plans, and a Spice World movie in 2024 is exactly the kind of bold move that could define a new generation of pop groups."
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