When girl group KATSEYE met up with Billboard News for the latest edition of the chat-and-chew series “Takes Us Out,” the six-member band were psyched to order whatever they wanted at L.A.’s Jollibee, which offers up a mix of typical fast food (fried chicken) mixed with Filipino comfort food (Palabok Fiesta).
Host Tetris Kelly deferred to “Filipino Queen” Sophia when it came to ordering, with the singer encouraging her bandmates — Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan and Yoonchae — to definitely go for the adobo rice as she broke down the vibe at the popular California spot. “I grew up have Jollibee like all the time, almost every single week with my family,” she said, noting that when the band went to the Philippines last year for a promo tour she specifically requested that their catering be all Jollibee at their mall shows.
But it wasn’t all about food, the international group also described what their first night together was like after being brought together on grueling 2023 Dream Academy reality competition series, a collaboration between K-pop superstar factory HYBE and Geffen Records.
“Slept like a baby,” Sophia laughed, as Lara added that she, Megan and Daniela had a sleepover to celebrate and watched the series’ finale on YouTube. They stayed up all night and then drove to a fast food joint in the middle of the night after promising themselves they’ve have a big, lavish celebration to mark the special ocassion.
Host Kelly reminded Lara that on the finale she promised her bandmates that their music was going to “change the world,” a moment he said brought tears to his eyes. “A year later I’m like, wait, y’all doing it though!” Kelly said to a collective “awww.”
They are definitely making their mark, with major performances such as their spot at this summer’s Lollapalooza in Chicago and their run through their Billboard Hot 100 No. 90 hit “Gnarly” during the pre-show of the recent 2025 MTV VMAs; they were also up for two awards at the VMAs and took home PUSH performance of the year for their single “Touch.” “Surreal, like it’s so, so crazy that we have made it so far in such little time,” said Daniela.
Speaking of nominations, when Kelly brought up whispers of a possible best new artist nod at next year’s Grammy Awards Lara was like “no way,” saying it doesn’t feel like their time yet, despite their chart success with “Gnarly” and their No. 63 Hot 100 single “Gabriela.” If it happens, Lara said, it would involve a lot of “crying and throwing up” and calling their families.
To be fair, they’ve definitely put in the work, including in an instantly viral Gap ad cued to Kelis’ “Milkshake” that featured some fierce dance moves, not to mention accidentally spot-on timing in the midst of the Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad controversy. “It’s like so iconic the choreo. I didn’t know it was gonna blow up that much,” said Daniela of the hand motions that have become instant classics.
In fact, Manon said she visited a Gap store the day before the chat and saw a group of girls taking turns recording each other doing the ad’s moves among the racks. They also got hyped talking about the upcoming launch of their first-ever world tour, which kicks off on Nov. 15 in Minneapolis. Daniela said it’s “so, so cool” how fast it has all come together, with the Beautiful Chaos outing representing another peak in their rapid rise.
“We just can’t wait to travel to new places, meet new icons and just have our own show,” she said. “We haven’t really had that yet, so it’s really cool.” Lara said fans can expect some “variation” in the music, with less structure and a more playful vibe, with the singer teasing that they’d love to pay homage to other girl groups such as Fifth Harmony with a “Miss Movin’ On” cover or maybe songs from SWV, TLC or the Pussycat Dolls’ “Buttons.”
Watch the group discuss the rising success of “Gabriela,” being open about their personal relationships, their mind-blowing Lolla experience and why sometimes not everyone can make it to every performance in the video above.