Global girl group KATSEYE, a Korean-American joint project, have revealed that they have received numerous death threats since their debut, shedding light on the darker side of fame.
In an interview published by the BBC on November 12, the members shared that they have faced thousands of death threats online since last year.
Lara confessed, “I try to tell myself not to care, but when 1,000 people send you death threats, it’s impossible not to be shaken. Even if nothing actually happens, it’s just too much to handle.”
The group has also been the target of racist abuse. Lara revealed, “Someone even filed a false report to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), claiming I was living and working illegally in the country.”
Sexist remarks have been another source of pain. “People see us as women to be judged,” Lara said. “They score our looks, singing, and dancing, then combine those into a percentage. It’s dystopian.”
Due to the ongoing harassment, Lara deleted her social media accounts. “I realized I don’t need to live according to other people’s opinions,” she explained. Fellow member Manon described the experience as feeling like “a psychological assault.”
Sophia also spoke candidly about the toll fame has taken. “Our career is still short, but so many harsh words have already been thrown at us and our families. We know it’s part of being in the public eye, but we’re still human,” she said.
Despite these challenges, KATSEYE recently achieved a major milestone. The group was nominated for two categories at the '2025 Grammy Awards,' including Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, an impressive accomplishment for a group in only its second year.
Manon expressed pride in the group’s multicultural identity. “I’m so proud of our diversity. I hope every girl, regardless of her background or appearance, can feel proud of where she comes from,” she said.
Lara offered words of encouragement to aspiring artists from diverse backgrounds. “Don’t hesitate to go for it. Our skin and our culture are our strengths. Embrace them and make them your own.”
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