ELMONT, October 26, 2026 — The global girl group Katseye arrived at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show this week, their Y2K-inflected aesthetic aligning with the lingerie brand’s renewed vintage turn. The appearance caps a remarkable run that has seen the six-piece act navigate the volatile intersection of K-pop-influenced pop and mainstream American fashion.
From Reality Show to Global Stage
The story of Katseye begins in 2023, when Hybe and Geffen Records launched Dream Academy, a survival competition broadcast internationally. The series sought to assemble a multinational girl group, drawing thousands of applicants. After a rigorous selection process, six trainees were chosen: Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung. Their formation was documented by Netflix in the series Pop Star Academy: Katseye, which followed the contestants through vocal coaching, choreography, and the challenges of living together under one roof. The group officially debuted in June 2024 with the single “Debut”, followed by the breakout track “Touch”. Their early releases established a sound rooted in bubblegum pop and electronic beats, but it was their visual direction that began to distinguish them from the crowded pop field.
Chart Success and the Grammy Nod
Musically, Katseye’s ascent has been marked by consistent chart placement. Their second EP, Beautiful Chaos, released in April 2025, debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. The project produced the single “Gabriela”, which cracked the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the group a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The group itself was also nominated for Best New Artist. A year later, their third EP, Wild, achieved a career milestone by debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, their first chart-topping release. The EP spawned further Hot 100 entries, including “Animal”, which debuted at number 24 and gave the group their first top 10 placement on the Billboard Global 200.
A Defined Fashion Identity
If their music charts their rise, their fashion identity defines their brand. Katseye is recognized for a Y2K-influenced aesthetic, a style era drawing on the late 1990s and early 2000s. Humberto Leon, formerly of Opening Ceremony and givenchy, serves as the group’s creative director. Under his guidance, the members have become fixtures in campaigns that lean into low-rise denim, glossy textures, and nostalgic silhouettes. Their partnerships include Fendi, specifically the Baguette bag; Gap, for their low-rise denim campaigns; the British cosmetics retailer Lush; the American fashion house Coach; and the Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee. This blend of high fashion and accessible retail has positioned the group as a bridge between luxury and streetwear.
Celebrity Fandom and the Road Ahead
The group’s reach extends into the highest echelons of American pop culture. Rapper Cardi B has been a vocal supporter, attending their New York concert at UBS Arena in October 2026 with her daughters Kulture and Blossom. Cardi’s support became public earlier in the year when she lip-synced to “Gabriela” during a Governors Ball performance, and she later defended the track “Hootie Frutti” against online criticism. Fans have since speculated about a potential collaboration, though no official announcement has been made. With their Wildworld Tour underway—having launched in Dublin in September 2026 and moving through Europe and North America—Katseye is positioned at the intersection of a successful pop trajectory and a growing fashion empire. Their ability to translate a reality TV formation into a globally recognized brand suggests their influence is only beginning to expand.
The Meaning Behind the Name
In an interview with InStyle, member Sophia Laforteza explained that the group’s name derives from the gemstone chrysoberyl, specifically the cymophane variety commonly known as “cat’s eye.” She noted that the stone’s distinctive optical effect—where light appears to shift and reflect differently when viewed from various angles—corresponds to the composition of the members’ diverse personalities, talents, and backgrounds. The group was initially planned to be named “Catseye,” but during an appearance on Los Angeles radio station KIIS-FM, it was revealed that Lara Raj suggested the spelling “Katseye,” which the members felt gave the name a more distinctive and stylized appearance.
Katseye’s logo and branding were designed by Seoul-based graphic design studio Husky Fox. The studio incorporated visual elements referencing the gemstone alongside motifs representing the six members’ unique backgrounds, which span the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States. This branding framework has underpinned the group’s visual identity across music releases, merchandise, and high-profile fashion campaigns, reinforcing the “global girl group” concept established during their formation on Dream Academy.
Chart Success and Grammy Nominations
Katseye’s commercial trajectory has been defined by consistent chart performance and industry recognition. Their second EP, Beautiful Chaos, released in April 2025, debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, marking a significant milestone for the newly debuted group. The project’s lead single, “Gnarly,” marked the group’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, while the follow-up single “Gabriela” cracked the top 40 of that chart and earned the group a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The group itself was also nominated for Best New Artist. Building on this momentum, their third EP, Wild (2026), achieved a career peak by debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming their first chart-topping release. The EP spawned further Hot 100 entries, including “Animal,” which debuted at number 24 and gave the group their first top 10 placement on the Billboard Global 200, where it debuted at number 10.
According to the Billboard charts and Grammy nominations announced for the 68th Annual ceremony, these placements solidified Katseye’s standing in the competitive pop landscape. The group’s ability to translate reality competition success into sustained chart success and Grammy recognition underscores their rapid ascension from the Dream Academy competition to mainstream industry validation.
Sources
- Katseye
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Photo: Warmtoned (CC BY 4.0)
