Manon (KATSEYE) 2026: Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, MBTI & Agency
Manon Bannerman is a Swiss singer and model who performs as a member of KATSEYE, the global girl group formed through HYBE and Geffen Records’ reality competition The Debut: Dream Academy. As the group’s oldest member and one of its most visually distinctive performers, Manon has drawn attention both for her pre-debut social media presence and for her role in one of the most closely watched K-pop-adjacent projects of the 2020s.
This article covers Manon’s verified profile information, her background before KATSEYE, her career with the group, and her current status as of 2026 – including the hiatus that has kept her away from group activities for much of the year.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Group Name | KATSEYE |
| Korean Name | 캣츠아이 |
| Debut Date | June 28, 2024 |
| Agency | HYBE x Geffen Records (HYBE America) |
| Origin | Global (United States-based) |
| Genre | Pop, K-Pop |
| Number of Members | 6 |
| Active Years | 2024–present |
| Fandom Name | EYEKONS |
| Official Colors | Not officially confirmed |
| Current Status | Manon on temporary hiatus since February 20, 2026 |
Table of Contents
Who Is Manon?
Manon Bannerman (born Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman) is a Swiss-Ghanaian singer and model based in the United States. She is the oldest member of KATSEYE, the girl group formed through HYBE and Geffen Records’ The Debut: Dream Academy and chronicled in the Netflix documentary Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE. KATSEYE debuted on June 28, 2024, with the single “Debut” and has since become one of the most commercially visible new pop acts to emerge from the HYBE system.
Manon’s background differs from that of a typical K-pop trainee. Before joining the group, she built a following as a fashion and lifestyle creator on TikTok and Instagram, beginning in 2021. Her recruitment into the Dream Academy program marked a different path into the HYBE ecosystem – one rooted in social media presence and visual modeling rather than years of conventional idol training.
She is the first Black artist to sign with a HYBE label, according to Wikipedia’s summary of her career. Since KATSEYE’s debut, she has been part of releases that reached the top five of the Billboard 200 and earned Grammy nominations. In February 2026, HYBE and Geffen announced that Manon would take a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing.
Group History
Formation and Pre-Debut
KATSEYE was conceived as a joint project between HYBE and Geffen Records to create a “global” girl group trained under the K-pop system but marketed internationally. In late 2021, the two companies launched a worldwide search that eventually drew around 120,000 submissions. Twenty finalists were selected to participate in The Debut: Dream Academy, a competition series that aired in 2023.
Manon was among the twenty contestants. According to Billboard, she was personally selected to join the training program after gaining recognition through her social media content. The Dream Academy process was documented in the Netflix series Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, which gave viewers an unusually detailed look at the formation of a HYBE-affiliated group.
Official Debut
The final KATSEYE lineup – Sophia, Manon, Yoonchae, Megan, Daniela, and Lara – was announced on November 17, 2023, during the live finale of Dream Academy. The group officially debuted on June 28, 2024, with the digital single “Debut”. Their first EP, SIS (Soft Is Strong), followed in August 2024.
Breakthrough and Chart Success
KATSEYE’s second EP, Beautiful Chaos, released in June 2025, peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, while the track “Gabriela” reached No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group received Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Gabriela” at the 68th Grammy Awards. At the 2026 American Music Awards, KATSEYE won New Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Pop Artist, and Best Music Video for “Gnarly”.
Recent Activities and Manon’s Hiatus
On February 20, 2026, HYBE and Geffen announced that Manon would be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing. The announcement came shortly after KATSEYE performed at the 2026 Grammys, where the group was nominated for Best New Artist.
Manon did not participate in KATSEYE’s Coachella debut in April 2026, and the group released the single “Pinky Up” without her that same month. KATSEYE released their third EP, WILD, on August 14, 2026, led by the Hot 100 hits “Pinky Up” and “Animal,” the latter co-written by Ed Sheeran. The WILDWORLD Tour began on September 1, 2026, at Dublin’s 3Arena, with dates across Europe, North America, and Mexico.
As of October 2026, Manon’s status with KATSEYE remains listed as a temporary hiatus. No official statement has confirmed a permanent departure or a return date.
Manon Bannerman Profile
Biography
Manon Bannerman was born on June 26, 2002, in Lucerne, Switzerland, and raised primarily in Zürich. Her mother is Swiss-Italian, and her father is Ghanaian, giving her a multicultural background that she has spoken about in interviews. She has one older sister.
She knew from the age of four that she wanted to be on stage. Her father reportedly referred to her as “Beyoncé” because of her ambitions, and Beyoncé remains a public role model for her. Manon attended Atelierschule Zürich, an arts-focused school, where she developed her interests in music and performance.
Before KATSEYE, Manon worked as a photography model and built a social media following on TikTok and Instagram starting in 2021. She was fluent in Swiss-German (her first language), German, and English, with some French. She has also been learning Spanish.
Personal Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman |
| Korean Name | 마농 (Manon) |
| Stage Name | Manon |
| Date of Birth | June 26, 2002 |
| Age | 24 (as of 2026) |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Chinese Zodiac | Horse |
| Birthplace | Lucerne, Switzerland |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Height | 166 cm (5’5″) – reported by multiple profile databases; no recent official confirmation |
| Weight | Not publicly available |
| Blood Type | Not publicly available |
| MBTI | ENFJ-T |
Group Role
Manon is officially listed as a vocalist in KATSEYE. She is the oldest member of the group. Her representative color is yellow, and her “Dream Charm” is the Stellar Tiara.
Early Life and Education
Manon grew up in Zürich after being born in Lucerne. She attended Atelierschule Zürich, an institution focused on arts education. She spent a year as an exchange student in Los Angeles, where she began using the name “Manon” more consistently.
Detailed information about her childhood and family life beyond what she has shared publicly is limited. Her father’s name has been reported as Jakarias Bannerman, and her sister’s name as Lena Lou Bannerman.
Career Journey
Manon’s path to KATSEYE began with social media. From 2021, she posted fashion and lifestyle content on TikTok and Instagram, which brought her visibility in modeling and creative circles. She was reportedly personally selected to join HYBE’s training program after this period.
She competed on The Debut: Dream Academy in 2023 and was announced as a KATSEYE member on November 17, 2023. Her debut with the group came on June 28, 2024.
Since debuting, Manon has participated in KATSEYE’s releases through Beautiful Chaos (2025). She has appeared on the group’s tours, including The Beautiful Chaos Tour in 2025, which sold out all 16 North American dates. Her last major group activity before her hiatus was the 2026 Grammy Awards performance.
Family Background
Manon’s mother is Swiss-Italian, and her father is Ghanaian. She has one older sister. Detailed family information beyond these publicly confirmed details is not widely available.
Relationship Status
There is no publicly confirmed relationship information available for Manon Bannerman.
Net Worth
Manon’s exact net worth is not publicly available. Any figures circulating on celebrity net-worth websites should be treated as unverified estimates. Her income sources as a KATSEYE member include music sales and streaming, touring, merchandise, and brand endorsements.
Official Social Media
| Platform | Account |
|---|---|
| @meretmanon | |
| TikTok | @meretmanon (private) |
KATSEYE’s group accounts also represent her official activities. Weverse is the primary official fandom platform for the group.
Interesting Facts
- Manon can speak Swiss-German, German, English, and some French. She has been learning Spanish.
- She has been writing songs since she was five years old.
- Her nickname variants include “Manz” and “Manzanita”.
- She has five known tattoos, including “femme fatale” on her rib and “ham” in her friends’ handwriting on her upper arm.
- She is allergic to strawberries.
- Her favorite food is fufu with red stew and plantains.
- She watches Beyoncé’s Homecoming every other month and cries every time.
- She enjoys songwriting, playing piano, makeup, and painting.
- Her representative emoji for KATSEYE is a tiara.
- She was announced for a temporary hiatus on February 20, 2026.
Other KATSEYE Members (Brief Profiles)
Sophia Laforteza (born December 31, 2002) is the leader of KATSEYE, from the Philippines. She ranked first on Dream Academy and is the group’s main vocalist.
Daniela Avanzini (born July 1, 2004) is from Atlanta, Georgia, with Cuban and Venezuelan heritage. She is the group’s main dancer and has been dancing since age four.
Lara Raj (born November 3, 2005) is from the United States with Indian and Sri Lankan heritage. She is a vocalist and has songwriting credits on KATSEYE releases.
Megan Skiendiel (born February 10, 2006) is from the United States with Chinese and Singaporean heritage. She is a dancer and performer.
Yoonchae Jeong (born December 6, 2007) is the youngest member and the only South Korean member of KATSEYE. She trained as a K-pop idol for approximately two years before joining Dream Academy.
Discography
EPs / Mini Albums
| Release | Date | Type | Title Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIS (Soft Is Strong) | August 16, 2024 | EP | “Touch” |
| Beautiful Chaos | June 27, 2025 | EP | “Gabriela” |
| WILD | August 14, 2026 | EP | “Pinky Up” / “Animal” |
Singles
| Song | Release Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| “Debut” | June 28, 2024 | Debut single |
| “Touch” | 2024 | From SIS (Soft Is Strong) |
| “Gnarly” | April 30, 2025 | Pre-release single |
| “Gabriela” | June 20, 2025 | From Beautiful Chaos; Hot 100 No. 31 |
| “Pinky Up” | April 2026 | Released during Manon’s hiatus |
| “Animal” | August 2026 | Co-written by Ed Sheeran |
Awards and Achievements
| Year | Award / Achievement | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | American Music Awards – New Artist of the Year | KATSEYE | Won |
| 2026 | American Music Awards – Breakthrough Pop Artist | KATSEYE | Won |
| 2026 | American Music Awards – Best Music Video | “Gnarly” | Won |
| 2026 | Grammy Awards – Best New Artist | KATSEYE | Nominated |
| 2026 | Grammy Awards – Best Pop Duo/Group Performance | “Gabriela” | Nominated |
KATSEYE became the first girl group to win New Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards since the category was introduced in 2004.
Tours and Concerts
| Tour | Year | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Beautiful Chaos Tour | 2025 | North America | All 16 dates sold out |
| WILDWORLD Tour | 2026 | Europe, North America | Began September 1 in Dublin |
Brand Endorsements and Ambassadorship
| Year | Brand | Member/Group | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Matrix | Group | Global Brand Ambassador |
| 2026 | Aritzia | Yoonchae | Campaign face (solo) |
KATSEYE has also had fashion partnerships with Fendi, Pandora, Glossier, and Gap.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Official Account |
|---|---|
| @meretmanon (personal) | |
| X / Twitter | Group account only |
| TikTok | @meretmanon (private) |
| YouTube | KATSEYE official channel |
| Weverse | KATSEYE community |
| Official Website | HYBE x Geffen artist page |
Revenue Sources
As a KATSEYE member, Manon’s income categories include album sales, streaming, touring, merchandise, and brand endorsements. The group’s sold-out 2025 tour and 2026 arena tour represent significant revenue streams. No verified figures for her individual earnings are publicly available.
Interesting Facts About Manon
- Manon was born in Lucerne but raised in Zürich.
- She is the oldest member of KATSEYE.
- She was a fashion and lifestyle content creator before joining HYBE.
- She is the first Black artist to sign with a HYBE label.
- Her MBTI is ENFJ-T.
- She has been writing songs since age five.
- Her representative color in KATSEYE is yellow.
- Her Dream Charm is the Stellar Tiara.
- She speaks four languages to varying degrees of fluency.
- She is allergic to strawberries.
- Her role model is Beyoncé.
- She has five known tattoos.
- She attended an arts-focused school in Zürich.
- She spent a year as an exchange student in Los Angeles.
- She was announced as a KATSEYE member on November 17, 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manon from KATSEYE? Manon Bannerman is a Swiss singer and model, and a member of the global girl group KATSEYE.
How old is Manon? Manon was born on June 26, 2002, making her 24 years old in 2026.
What is Manon’s full name? Her full name is Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman.
What is Manon’s MBTI? Her MBTI is reported as ENFJ-T.
What is Manon’s height? She is listed at 166 cm (5’5″) on multiple profile databases.
What agency manages Manon? She is signed under HYBE x Geffen Records.
What group is Manon in? She is a member of KATSEYE.
When did KATSEYE debut? KATSEYE debuted on June 28, 2024.
Is Manon the oldest member of KATSEYE? Yes, she is the oldest member.
Why is Manon on hiatus? Her hiatus was announced on February 20, 2026, to focus on her health and wellbeing.
Will Manon return to KATSEYE? No official return date has been announced as of October 2026.
What is Manon’s representative color? Yellow.
What is Manon’s Instagram? Her personal Instagram is @meretmanon.
What languages does Manon speak? She speaks Swiss-German, German, English, some French, and has been learning Spanish.
Did Manon release music during her hiatus? KATSEYE released “Pinky Up” and the WILD EP without her participation.
What is KATSEYE’s fandom name? EYEKONS.
What is Manon’s role in KATSEYE? She is officially listed as a vocalist.
Where was Manon born? She was born in Lucerne, Switzerland.
What awards has KATSEYE won? KATSEYE won three awards at the 2026 American Music Awards.
Has Manon won any solo awards? No solo awards have been announced.
Conclusion
Manon Bannerman’s profile within KATSEYE is defined by contrasts: a Swiss-Ghanaian creator who entered the HYBE system through social media rather than traditional training, and a performer whose public presence has been significantly reduced during a 2026 hiatus announced at the group’s commercial peak. Her contributions to KATSEYE’s early releases and tours are documented, and her status as the group’s oldest member and first Black HYBE signee gives her a distinctive place in the project’s history. Whether her hiatus proves temporary or marks a longer transition, her chapter in KATSEYE’s story remains an important part of how the group was built and how it has evolved.
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