Confusion surrounding Manon’s future with KATSEYE has reached a new level after a major entertainment publication appeared to confirm that she has officially left the group. However, instead of settling the debate, the report has only fueled even more speculation among fans.

The controversy began when Variety released its 2026 Hollywood Youth Impact Report, highlighting some of the most influential young stars in entertainment. The feature included several HYBE artists, such as CORTIS, LE SSERAFIM’s Yunjin, and KATSEYE. What immediately caught fans’ attention was that the article featured only the group’s five active members, with Manon noticeably absent.

Even more shocking was the article’s description, which stated that “despite the departure of member Manon Bannerman in February, KATSEYE has continued to establish itself as one of the leading girl groups in contemporary pop.” That single sentence quickly spread across social media, with many interpreting it as the first major media confirmation that Manon had officially exited the group.

However, fans were quick to question the report’s credibility.

Many pointed out that Variety had already made factual mistakes elsewhere in the same article, including incorrectly describing KATSEYE’s Grammy-related history in a way that also excluded Manon. Because of those inaccuracies, many believe the publication may have relied on outdated or incorrect information rather than an official confirmation from HYBE or the group’s management.

Adding even more doubt, KATSEYE’s members recently addressed Manon’s situation during a fan interaction. While they avoided confirming whether she would return, they made it clear that they still care deeply about her and promised fans they would pass along their love and support. Their comments suggested that the situation remains unresolved rather than officially concluded.

As a result, the fanbase is now split. Some believe Variety may have accidentally revealed what has not yet been publicly announced, while others argue that the article simply contains reporting errors and should not be treated as confirmation of Manon’s departure.

At this point, neither HYBE nor KATSEYE’s management has released an official statement confirming that Manon has permanently left the group. Until that happens, fans remain caught between conflicting reports, uncertain whether Variety uncovered a hidden truth—or simply published inaccurate information that has thrown the fandom into chaos.