Manon Exit Fears: Why Daniela's Dad Claims KATSEYE Is 'Bigger Than One Girl'

Speculations regarding Manon's departure have intensified after a 'temporary hiatus' announcement, bringing uncertainty over the future of the renowned global girl group KATSEYE.

Although HYBE x Geffen officially announced that the star is taking a step back to 'prioritise her health and well-being,' another controversy is emerging over alleged social media remarks from a bandmate's family member.

Screenshots credited to Rafael Avanzini, the father of member Daniela, have sparked controversy across platforms like X and TikTok with claims such as 'KATSEYE is bigger than one girl.' As the label remains silent, fans question if this temporary pause hints at a permanent exit.

Manon's Departure Fears and the Ambiguity of 'Temporary'

KATSEYE—developed through the HYBE and Geffen talent pipeline and showcased to the public via the 2023 competition project The Debut: Dream Academy—has been marketed as a global force: multilingual, media-ready, and designed for international success. That's why the official hiatus statement on Weverse sounds like corporate safeguarding as much as concern: 'open and thoughtful discussions,' 'temporary hiatus,' 'anticipate reuniting when appropriate.'

Weverse serves as the fan platform where labels communicate official updates directly to their audience, bypassing traditional media outlets. In the realm of K-pop and adjacent genres, 'hiatus' can imply anything from a short break to a prolonged absence, prompting fans to scrutinise every word as if it were legal documentation.

The BBC's reporting remained focused on the core assertion: the hiatus is temporary, framed as a health-conscious decision made after collaborative discussions.

The timing hasn't alleviated concerns. Both Rolling Stone and Forbes described the break as 'temporary' and related to health and well-being, reiterating the central message while leaving the pressing question unaddressed: how long is 'temporary' when the schedule of a group waits for no one?

Manon's Departure Concerns Escalated by Family Statements

Subsequently, the screenshots surfaced. The Tab, which provided detailed coverage of the situation, reported that posts attributed to Avanzini included: 'THE SHOW MUST GO ON! With or without a member. KATSEYE IS BIGGER THAN ONE GIRL,' followed by, '5 is ok too.' Another report in The Express Tribune located the quote in a comments section under a viral clip about Manon's hiatus, depicting the reaction as backlash against Daniela's father.

Here's the issue: these aren't verified statements, and screenshots don't equate to proof. Yet, they affect the narrative, as the mere possibility that a family member views the lineup as expendable is precisely the kind of discourse labels strive to avoid.​

The account believed to be Avanzini's was deactivated after the posts circulated. Subsequent replies—again ascribed to him—suggested Daniela had conversed with him prior to his comments, a detail that embroiled her in a controversy not of her own making. A follow-up piece indicated that a new account with the same name later appeared, alleging the prior profile was mass-reported and banned.

HYBE x Geffen's official stance remains the authoritative narrative: Manon is on a temporary hiatus; the group will continue its activities; they will reunite 'when the time is right.' Until the label comments directly on the screenshots or the alleged account owner clarifies their authorship, 'Manon departure fears' will continue to proliferate where fan concern meets viral speculation.

The ambiguity underscores the delicate balance between individual well-being and the 'export-grade' mechanism of global pop. While the official position anticipates a reunion 'when the time is right,' the outspoken remarks from a family member have altered the dialogue's tone permanently. Will KATSEYE truly reunite as a sextet, or is the five-member assembly the new reality?