KATSEYE Shares Surprising Reaction to Grammy Nominations: “We Were Speechless”

KATSEYE.
Credit :

Julian Song

NEED TO KNOW

• KATSEYE opens up about receiving their first two Grammy nominations
• “It’s literally just the biggest, biggest honor. I don’t think any of us were expecting it,” says band member Lara Raj
• KATSEYE is nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards

Amid the success of their Beautiful Chaos Tour and their chart-topping hits, KATSEYE has solidified its ambition to become the biggest girl group in the world.

Since their rise to fame through the groundbreaking Dream Academy show produced by HYBE and Geffen Records, and subsequently featured in the Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, the six-member ensemble, consisting of Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung, has seen their influence grow exponentially.

In just two years since the release of their debut EP SIS (Soft Is Strong), KATSEYE has garnered a devoted fanbase, thanks in part to their Y2K-inspired fashion and club-ready singles like “Gabriela” and “Gameboy,” as well as a widely discussed advertisement for Gap.

Now, KATSEYE has reached a new milestone with their nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards in two categories: Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

KATSEYE.

Julian Song

“When we found out, we were all in tears, screaming, crying,” Raj recalled from Mexico City, where the group is currently touring. Laforteza added that the thought of receiving a nomination never even “crossed our minds.”

In a recent interview, KATSEYE discussed their excitement over this monumental year, sharing insights from their experiences with industry veterans like Kehlani and how they plan to celebrate if they win at the upcoming Grammy Awards.

PEOPLE: How did you react to finding out you had two Grammy nominations this year?

SOPHIA LAFORTEZA: We were all in disbelief. A few months ago, someone mentioned the possibility of a Grammy nomination, and we laughed it off, thinking, “That’s impossible.” When we finally saw it on the livestream, we couldn’t believe it — we were shocked.

PEOPLE: What does it mean to you to be first-time Grammy nominees?

LARA RAJ: It’s literally just the biggest, biggest honor. It means so much to be recognized among industry veterans we’ve looked up to. The nominations alone mean everything to us, even more than winning.

PEOPLE: How do you plan to celebrate if you win?

RAJ: Our first call will be to our parents. We’re going to celebrate together, probably with a party.

PEOPLE: Have you considered collaborating with Charli XCX, who co-wrote “Gabriela”?

MANON BANNERMAN: Yes! We recently met her, and we hope to work with her more in the future. She’s such an inspiration.

PEOPLE: What’s the most challenging part of being in a girl group?

YOONCHAE JEUNG: At first, coming from different backgrounds led to culture shocks. Now, we enjoy learning about each other’s cultures.

PEOPLE: How has your K-pop training prepared you for your current work?

LAFORTEZA: The training has equipped us with discipline and teamwork capabilities that are essential in this industry. It has shaped us into the group we are today.

PEOPLE: Who is the most surprising celebrity fan you’ve discovered?

LAFORTEZA: We were amazed to see celebrities like Dwayne Johnson and North West at our concerts. It’s surreal to realize people we admire are fans of us.

PEOPLE: Is there advice from an artist that has stuck with you?

RAJ: Kehlani gave me great advice about staying grounded and enjoying real-life experiences, something we all try to practice.

PEOPLE: Are you working on a full-length album for 2026?

LAFORTEZA: Yes! We are working on new music and fans should stay tuned for upcoming releases.

PEOPLE: What are your dreams for KATSEYE’s future?

LAFORTEZA: We dream of headlining festivals and going on a world tour. We also want to use our platform responsibly, reaching beyond music and performance.

JEUNG: Yes, and visiting more places in the world, especially our hometowns.