Sophia Laforteza will be stepping back from the group’s UK and European tours, HYBE x Geffen Records announced today that she will not be at the European leg of the “Wild World Tour.” That is raising concerns among fans who have been waiting for KATSEYE to go abroad.
Sophia, who is going to be touring in the United Kingdom and Europe from Sept. 1 through Sept. 17, will miss the tour dates. Although it did not mention what the reason for her absence is, the company said it will continue to support her as a Filipino-American artist throughout the tour.
But the company is “fully committed to providing her with all the support and resources needed,” the statement says. It also confirmed that Sophia “will not be participating in THE WILDWORLD TOUR in Europe and the UK from September 1 to September 17.”
This announcement means that KATSEYE will continue to play without one of its six members in the tour. Sophia is so much a part of the group’s identity now that KATSEYE has emerged from the HYBE and Geffen Records global girl group project, and so she’s much more present in the upcoming performances for fans.
The group has developed an international following since its launch of KATSEYE with Sophia and Daniela, Lara, Megan, Manon and Yoonchae. The group was created through the reality competition project “The Debut: Dream Academy” to bring together contestants from different countries and cultural backgrounds. It has also attracted a global audience for KATSEYE beyond the K-pop market.
The “Wild World Tour” is another significant step in the group’s growing international career. The European and UK dates were expected to give fans across the region the opportunity to see the group live and the tour is going to add another layer to KATSEYE’s rigorous schedule.
For fans, Sophia’s absence will be an emotional loss. Social media responses have been mostly about messages of support and hope that she will be able to get back to group activities when she is ready. The company’s language about providing Sophia with the support and resources, and the company’s emphasis on being able to support and help her (as well as her wellbeing) is also something to support her, and fans are also concerned about her wellbeing rather than speculating about what happened, to which it is not possible to answer the question that will give it all away for her.
At present, HYBE x Geffen Records has not disclosed any further information about Sophia’s health and how much time she might miss from performances beyond the UK and European dates. So fans will probably be waiting for her return to the stage in the future.
The European and UK leg will begin on September 1 and end on September 17. At that time, the remaining KATSEYE members are expected to carry on with the planned performances and promotional activities.
Sophia’s decision to step away from these dates is part of a continuing growth of KATSEYE in the world of music. The group has grown its international fan base to a large extent - music, performances and individual members are being covered in many countries.
The most important thing from the company is that Sophia is being supported. And although fans will definitely miss seeing her alongside the rest of the group at the upcoming European shows, the announcement allows the group to continue and Sophia to take a break from the tour.
More updates might come as the European tour continues, especially if the company will be able to tell us more about Sophia’s return to the stage. But for now, KATSEYE supporters are rallying around that KATSEYE member and wishing her to take the time she needs.
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