Gayety

Tag: Katseye

  • Katseye Announces First-Ever ‘Beautiful Chaos’ Tour Across North America

    Katseye Announces First-Ever ‘Beautiful Chaos’ Tour Across North America

    Katseye, the breakout global girl group turning heads and topping charts, has officially announced their first-ever North American tour, sending fans into full celebration mode. Aptly titled the “Beautiful Chaos Tour,” the 12-city trek will kick off on November 15 in Minneapolis and wrap up with a grand finale in Mexico City on December 16.

    The tour is named after the group’s latest EP, Beautiful Chaos, which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, a rare feat for a rookie group in today’s competitive pop landscape. It’s an impressive milestone that solidifies Katseye’s growing global impact—musically and culturally.

    From Reality Show to Mainstream Powerhouse

    Katseye, made up of Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia, and Yoonchae, was formed through the HYBE x Geffen Records reality competition series The Debut: Dream Academy, which aired globally in 2023. Since then, the group has cultivated a massive fanbase with their high-energy performances, diverse cultural makeup, and empowering lyrics.

    While other girl groups have made splashes with viral hits, Katseye is building something deeper—a world of artistry that embraces chaos, beauty, and self-discovery. “‘Beautiful Chaos’ is the season we’re all in,” group member Sophia said in an interview with Variety. “It’s very much us, but it’s also us constantly evolving and finding ourselves. It’s a big transitional part of Katseye—discovering who we are and the different sides of us.”

    It’s that emotional honesty, mixed with next-level stage presence and fashion-forward visuals, that has earned Katseye a rapidly growing LGBTQ+ following. Their songs touch on themes of identity, freedom, transformation—and chaos, of course—all deeply resonant with queer audiences around the world.

    Tour Dates & Ticket Info

    The “Beautiful Chaos Tour” includes major cities in both the U.S. and Canada, as well as a highly anticipated stop in Mexico. From The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York to YouTube Theater in Inglewood, fans will have a chance to witness the group’s dynamic performances in venues that match their meteoric rise.

    Here is the full list of tour dates:

    • Nov. 15 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory

    • Nov. 18 – Toronto, ON – The Theatre at Great Canadian Toronto

    • Nov. 19 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway

    • Nov. 22 – New York, NY – The Theater at Madison Square Garden

    • Nov. 24 – Washington, DC – The Anthem

    • Nov. 26 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy

    • Nov. 29 – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre

    • Nov. 30 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

    • Dec. 3 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre

    • Dec. 6 – San Francisco, CA – The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

    • Dec. 9 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater

    • Dec. 12 – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater

    • Dec. 16 – Mexico City, MX – Teatro Metropólitan

    Tickets for the general public go on sale Thursday, July 11 at 10 a.m. local time. However, superfans will want to act early:

    • Weverse artist pre-sale opens Tuesday, July 9, exclusively for paid Weverse subscribers.

    • The Katseye.World artist pre-sale follows on Wednesday, July 10.

    • VIP packages will also be available, offering fans early access, exclusive merch, and premium viewing.

    Why This Tour Matters

    Katseye’s Beautiful Chaos EP is more than just a collection of bops—it’s a statement of purpose. With songs that explore confidence, heartbreak, liberation, and finding one’s place in a messy world, the EP has struck a nerve with a generation of fans who are navigating their own chaos with courage.

    As a group formed from six different cultural backgrounds and languages, Katseye represents the future of pop: inclusive, genre-blending, and unapologetically global. Their sound weaves together elements of K-pop, R&B, EDM, and experimental pop, while their lyrics often touch on self-empowerment and inner strength.

    For LGBTQ+ fans especially, the group’s bold aesthetics and emphasis on self-expression are deeply affirming.

    What to Expect from the Tour

    If Katseye’s past live performances are anything to go by, the “Beautiful Chaos Tour” promises an electrifying blend of choreography, storytelling, and visuals. Each member brings something unique to the table—Daniela’s soaring vocals, Lara’s fierce presence, Manon’s elegance, Megan’s sharp moves, Sophia’s emotional delivery, and Yoonchae’s magnetic charm.

    Expect dramatic lighting, stylized wardrobe changes, and performances that feel more like high-fashion theater than standard pop fare. The tour is expected to include the entirety of Beautiful Chaos as well as unreleased surprises and a few revamped fan-favorite tracks from their debut singles.

    Katseye’s LGBTQ+ Legacy in the Making

    As the music industry continues to evolve, Katseye stands out not just for their talent, but for their authenticity. Their connection with queer fans has been organic—built not on marketing strategy, but on shared emotion, freedom of expression, and mutual respect.

  • LGBTQ+ Night Market Returns to Los Angeles, Honoring KATSEYE’s Lara Raj

    LGBTQ+ Night Market Returns to Los Angeles, Honoring KATSEYE’s Lara Raj

    The Los Angeles LGBT Center is set to host the second annual Golden Hour: A Queer AANHPI Night Market on Saturday, May 17, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, located at 1125 N. McCadden Place in Hollywood. The event, presented by Gilead Sciences and organized in partnership with Mayumi Market, celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month by spotlighting queer AANHPI artists, performers, and local businesses.

    This year’s Golden Hour will honor Lara Raj, a trailblazing member of the global girl group KATSEYE and a rising queer icon. Raj, who is of Indian descent and hails from New York City, has garnered international attention for her bold artistry and unapologetic authenticity. As a member of KATSEYE, Raj is part of a diverse group of young women from various cultural backgrounds, including Daniela (Cuban/Venezuelan-American), Manon (Ghanaian-Italian), Megan (Chinese-American), Sophia (Filipino), and Yoonchae (Korean). The group has been recognized by VEVO DSCVR and TIDAL as artists to watch in 2025.

    In a statement, Raj expressed her gratitude for the recognition: “I’m deeply honored to be recognized by the Los Angeles LGBT Center. As a queer South Asian-American artist, being part of Golden Hour feels like a vibrant celebration of who we are: bold, brilliant, unapologetically cool, and beautifully multifaceted. This night isn’t just about being seen—it’s about joy, pride, and fully claiming our space. I’m incredibly proud to stand in the light with a community that continues to shine, even when the world tries to dim us. Brown girls to the front, forever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

    Golden Hour transforms The Village at Ed Gould Plaza into a vibrant, open-air night market curated by and for queer AANHPI communities. Attendees can expect a variety of activities and attractions, including:

    • Queer AANHPI Food and Retail Vendors: A diverse array of food stalls and retail booths showcasing AANHPI-owned businesses and artisans.

    • Traditional Tea Ceremony and Tasting Experience: An immersive cultural experience offering traditional tea ceremonies and tastings.

    • Karaoke Lounge and Mahjong Tutorials: Interactive spaces for karaoke enthusiasts and those interested in learning the game of mahjong.

    • Nostalgic Glamour-Style Photo Booth: A themed photo booth for capturing memories in a vintage glamour setting.

    • Live Performances: Additional performances and entertainment will be announced in the coming weeks.

    The event is open to all ages, and admission is free with RSVP. The first 100 guests to check in will receive a complimentary food voucher. To RSVP and for more information, visit lalgbtcenter.org/GoldenHour.

    Golden Hour is made possible by the generous support of Gilead Sciences, Casamigos (the Official Tequila), and Supporting Sponsor P/S. For press credentials, please contact [email protected].

    The Los Angeles LGBT Center continues to be a leading force in advocating for and celebrating the diverse identities within the LGBTQ+ community. Through events like Golden Hour, the Center fosters a sense of belonging and pride among queer AANHPI individuals and allies alike.

    For more information about the Los Angeles LGBT Center and its programs, visit lalgbtcenter.org.

    Event Details:

    What: Golden Hour: A Queer AANHPI Night Market
    When: Saturday, May 17, 2025, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
    Where: The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles, CA 90038
    Admission: Free with RSVP; first 100 guests receive a complimentary food voucher
    RSVP: lalgbtcenter.org/GoldenHour

  • Katseye’s Lara Raj Comes Out as Queer And Labels Herself as ‘Half a Fruitcake’

    Katseye’s Lara Raj Comes Out as Queer And Labels Herself as ‘Half a Fruitcake’

    In a groundbreaking moment for the K-pop industry and its global fanbase, Lara Raj, a member of the up-and-coming girl group Katseye, has publicly come out as queer. The confession, made over the weekend on the fan platform Weverse, has captured the attention of fans and sparked conversations about representation and acceptance within the K-pop world.

    Raj’s announcement comes as part of the ongoing success of Pop Star Academy, the Netflix docuseries that debuted in 2024. The competition-based show, which follows aspiring idols as they go through intense training in vocals, dancing, and performance, introduced the world to Katseye. The series mirrors the rigorous methods used in K-pop, focusing on developing well-rounded performers who are capable of excelling in both singing and dancing simultaneously.

    Since its premiere, Pop Star Academy has not only showcased the incredible talents of the contestants but also highlighted the challenges they face behind the scenes, from personal struggles to the harsh realities of the entertainment industry. For Raj, who was one of the standout stars of the series, her journey on the show went beyond just competing to become a member of Katseye; it became a platform for her to express her authentic self.

    Lara Raj’s Courageous Confession

    On Weverse, a popular platform for artists to connect directly with their fans, Raj opened up about her sexuality, reflecting on her past and her journey to self-acceptance. “I knew I was half fruitcake when I was like 8,” Raj wrote, expressing that she had always felt a strong sense of attraction to both genders. She also mused about how she might have known even earlier, but felt that describing herself as “half fruitcake” was a lighter way to explain her feelings without using conventional labels.

    Raj continued by explaining how her fear of being judged or rejected played a significant role in her decision to keep her sexuality private during the airing of Pop Star Academy. She admitted to being “really, really scared” when the show first aired, unsure of how fans would react. Would they accept her for who she was? Or would her personal identity hinder her chances of success in the fiercely competitive world of K-pop?

     

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    A post shared by LARA RAJ (@lararajj)

    But, much to her relief, Raj’s fears were unfounded. The support she received from her fans was overwhelming. “And then you were all so nice about it and gave me so much love and support, and it made me feel so confident in who I am,” she wrote, thanking her fans for embracing her with open arms.

    Raj’s coming out is significant for the K-pop industry, where LGBTQ+ representation has historically been limited or even non-existent. Her decision to publicly share her identity has made her the first openly LGBTQ+ idol in the K-pop world, a major milestone for the industry. This places her in the same historic league as J-pop artist Shinjiro Atae, who also became one of the first to come out in his industry.

    The Challenges of Being Queer in K-pop

    In a follow-up audio clip shared on Weverse, Raj further discussed the unique challenges she faces as a woman attracted to other women, an identity that has often been misunderstood or fetishized. She opened up about the difficulties of being a queer woman in the entertainment industry, where her identity might be trivialized or sensationalized for the wrong reasons.

    Despite these challenges, Raj’s openness has been met with an outpouring of support, not just from her fans but also from the members of Katseye’s fanbase, who are largely applauding her courage. The group’s K-side fanbase has expressed unanimous support for Raj, showing how much love and appreciation the group’s fans have for the artist.

    Her public acknowledgment has also sparked conversations on social media, with many fans taking to platforms like Twitter to express their admiration and pride. One fan tweeted, “So proud of Lara forever and always,” highlighting the widespread adoration and respect for her bravery. Others expressed excitement about the possibility of seeing Raj feature a love interest in Katseye’s upcoming music video, reflecting the growing inclusivity within the K-pop world.

    Support Outshines the Haters

    Despite the immense positive reaction, Raj has also faced some trolling, as is often the case with public figures who break boundaries. Some individuals criticized her for her decision to come out, questioning her authenticity and her place within the group. However, fans have largely rallied around Raj, focusing on the overwhelmingly positive support she is receiving rather than the negativity. One fan tweeted, “I will be focusing on the overwhelming support Lara’s receiving outweighing the trolls fishing for hit tweets.”

    Fans have expressed how refreshing it is to see Lara so openly discuss sexuality and identity in a positive and uplifting manner. For many, Raj’s courage is an inspiration, especially considering how few LGBTQ+ idols there are in mainstream music industries like K-pop and J-pop. As one fan put it, “It’s so refreshing to see Lara openly speaking about her sexuality in such a positive light. I’m so glad Katseye aren’t idols who have to hide themselves.”

    The Impact of Representation

    Raj’s coming out also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation in the entertainment industry. For fans who identify as LGBTQ+ or those who have long been searching for role models who reflect their experiences, Lara’s announcement provides much-needed visibility. As one fan aptly stated, “The impact she is going to have on so many people is immense.” It’s a sentiment that reflects the power of representation and how a single individual’s decision to live openly can inspire and empower others.

    Lara Raj’s journey to self-acceptance and her decision to share her truth with the world will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy in the K-pop industry. Her courage has not only reshaped her own narrative but also created a space for future LGBTQ+ artists to thrive in an industry that is becoming increasingly inclusive. In a world where pop culture continues to evolve, Lara Raj’s impact on the K-pop scene—and beyond—will undoubtedly be remembered as a moment of progress and empowerment.

    As Raj continues to navigate her career with Katseye, she has already earned a place as a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation in the world of K-pop. Fans are eagerly watching as her influence grows, confident that her authenticity will continue to inspire and shape the future of the industry.