KATSEYE made their Saturday Night Live debut on September 26, 2026, performing “Animal” and “Hootie Frutti” from their latest EP Wild during the Season 52 premiere. The global girl group took the Studio 8H stage as a four-member lineup, with Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung representing the group while original members Sophia Laforteza and Manon Bannerman remain on hiatus.
The performance marked a major milestone for the group, which formed just two years ago through the reality competition series The Debut: Dream Academy. But it also sparked debate about what KATSEYE looks like in this current chapter.
What KATSEYE Performed on SNL
KATSEYE delivered two tracks from Wild, the five-track EP released in August 2026. They opened with “Animal,” a high-energy number that showcased the group’s polished choreography and vocal layering.
They followed with “Hootie Frutti,” a playful, Brazilian funk-inspired track that leaned into the group’s lighter, more eccentric side. The song has divided listeners since its release, but it gave the quartet a chance to show personality after the more vocal-focused opener.
Both songs come from Wild, which also features “Pinky Up,” “Bel Air,” and “That Way.”
The Four-Member Lineup Explained
KATSEYE was originally formed as a six-member group, but the SNL performance featured only four active members. Sophia Laforteza has been on hiatus since August 2026, with HYBE x Geffen stating she is focusing on her well-being. Manon Bannerman stepped away from group activities in February 2026, also citing health reasons.
The four active members have publicly addressed their groupmates’ absences, expressing support for both women during a TODAY show appearance in August 2026. For the SNL performance, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae carried the stage alone.
It’s a significant adjustment for a group whose choreography and vocal arrangements were originally built around six members. But the quartet handled the performance without visible strain, even if some critics felt the staging lacked the dynamic energy of a full lineup.
How Critics Responded
Reviews of KATSEYE’s SNL debut were decidedly mixed.
Consequence was blunt, calling the performances “pedestrian” and criticizing what appeared to be “obvious lip-syncing” along with “unimaginative choreography.” The outlet noted that the episode’s musical segments were “bogged down” by these issues.
Billboard took a more neutral tone, simply documenting the performance and the songs chosen. Rolling Stone also covered the debut without weighing in on the quality.
Fan reactions on social media were similarly split. Some praised the group’s stage presence and the opportunity to see them on such a major platform. Others echoed the lip-syncing concerns, though that criticism is common for pop performances on live television.
The Dream Academy Sketch
KATSEYE didn’t just perform. They also appeared in a sketch parodying The Debut: Dream Academy, the reality show that formed the group. The sketch introduced “new contestants” played by cast members including new featured player Grace Reiter and Veronika Slowikowska, with KATSEYE returning to “crown” a new girl group.
The sketch was designed to spotlight KATSEYE, but Grace Reiter ended up stealing the scene. Multiple critics noted that Reiter’s comedic timing and awkward energy made her the breakout star of the segment, overshadowing the musical guests in their own sketch.
What This Means for KATSEYE
The SNL debut arrives at a complicated moment for KATSEYE. The group is in the middle of their WILDWORLD Tour, a 31-show arena run across Europe and North America that launched September 1 in Dublin. They’re performing as a quartet on tour, and the SNL appearance kept that same four-member configuration.
For the active members, the SNL platform represents a major mainstream crossover moment. Saturday Night Live reaches an audience far broader than the group’s existing fanbase, and performing on the Season 52 premiere alongside NBA champion Jalen Brunson gave them visibility that few K-pop-adjacent acts receive.
But the performance also raised questions about KATSEYE’s identity going forward. Are they a six-member group temporarily reduced to four? Or is this the new normal? HYBE x Geffen has not announced a return date for either Sophia or Manon, leaving the group’s long-term lineup uncertain.
The Bottom Line
KATSEYE’s SNL debut was a milestone, not a triumph. They performed two songs from Wild, appeared in a sketch built around their origin story, and reached an audience that may never have heard of them before. The critical reception was mixed, with lip-syncing accusations and choreography complaints dominating the negative reviews.
But for a group formed through a reality show just two years ago, sharing the Studio 8H stage with an NBA champion on a season premiere is a significant step. Whether KATSEYE returns to SNL as a six-member group or continues as a quartet will depend on how the hiatus situations resolve.
For now, the four active members are carrying the torch, and they’re doing it on some of the biggest stages in entertainment.
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