Manon Bannerman's Temporary Leave from Katseye
Manon Bannerman, a member of the six-piece group Katseye, has announced a temporary leave to focus on her health and well-being. The announcement was made by HYBE and Geffen Records.
Bannerman stated she is healthy and trusting the "bigger picture."
Bannerman was discovered on social media and joined Katseye through the Dream Academy training program, which saw over 120,000 applicants. Notably, she had no prior professional training before joining the group.
Challenges Faced by Black Women in Girl Groups
Bannerman is the sole Black member of Katseye and has experienced specific challenges, including criticism regarding her work ethic. This situation has led to an emotional support network forming around her from other artists.
Melody Thornton of the Pussycat Dolls stated her support, referencing her own experiences of needing to "keep it together" as the Black member of her group. She dealt with panic attacks but reported not disclosing her struggles at the time.
Thornton avoided disclosing her struggles to avoid being perceived as "lazy."
Makhyli Simpson of Boys World also commented on the pressure of being the only Black member in a group, stating the difficulty of navigating such an experience without shared understanding within the group.
Normani, formerly of Fifth Harmony, recounted feeling overlooked and sidelined within her group, despite her star quality. She also faced racism from fans and within the group, highlighting a reported lack of support from her bandmates regarding her experiences. Normani has since followed Bannerman on Instagram, signaling solidarity.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix has also spoken about experiencing racism in the music industry and feeling the need to work "10 times harder" to secure her place.
Pinnock emphasized the importance of mutual support among Black women in the industry, stating, "We need to protect each other."
Industry Pressures and Perceptions
The article suggests that girl group members are often treated as products by entertainment companies. Katseye, for example, is positioned for brand endorsements beyond music sales. Bannerman previously stated the importance of diversity and representation in media.
The intensive "grind mentality" in the industry, particularly in the K-pop trainee model influenced by Motown, contributes significantly to these pressures.
Keisha Buchanan of Sugababes reported being told she was "used as collateral" after her departure from the group, with blame being assigned after a subsequent album's lack of success.
Bannerman expressed concern about disappointing fans, referencing the split of One Direction.
"I don’t want to be responsible for breaking so many hearts," Bannerman stated, highlighting the immense pressure to maintain group cohesion.
The article concludes that Black girl-group members should not have to endure such systemic pressures and mistreatment within the industry.