KATSEYE took the Studio 8H stage for the first time as the musical guest on the Season 52 premiere of «Saturday Night Live,» performing two songs from their latest EP and stepping into the show's comedy lineup. The group appeared as a four-piece, with members Manon Bannerman and Sophia Laforteza both currently on hiatus.
Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung opened with «Animal,» the lead single from their third EP «Wild.» The retro-pop track, co-written by Ed Sheeran and released in July, became another US hit for the group, reaching Number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The quartet delivered the song with its accompanying choreography.
Later in the episode, KATSEYE returned for a second performance of «Hootie Frutti,» also taken from «Wild.» The group also appeared in a pre-recorded sketch that spoofed the competition series that created them, imagining a second season of «The Debut: Dream Academy» in which KATSEYE served as judges while new contestants attempted to impress them.
The original Dream Academy was launched by HYBE and Geffen Records in 2023 to assemble a global girl group, ultimately bringing together Avanzini, Raj, Bannerman, Skiendiel, Laforteza and Jeung as KATSEYE. The six-piece previously spoke about the unusual process of building a group from contestants recruited around the world.
The «SNL» appearance follows the release of «Wild» on August 14. A three-star review of the EP noted that, two years and three EPs into their career, the group were still searching for the ideal balance between «chart-friendly and boundary-pushing» pop. The EP followed 2025's «Beautiful Chaos,» which contained the breakthrough singles «Gnarly» and «Gabriela.» The latter was co-written by Charli XCX, while «Gnarly» was named one of the 50 best songs of 2025.
KATSEYE are currently midway through their «WILDWORLD» arena tour, having completed its European leg earlier this month with shows including The O2 in London and Manchester's Co-op Live. Ahead of the tour, the group confirmed they would continue performing without Laforteza while she takes time away to focus on her mental health. Bannerman has been on her own temporary hiatus since February.
The Season 52 premiere was hosted by New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who made his «SNL» hosting debut. Brunson, the NBA Finals 2026 MVP, took the stage at 30 Rockefeller Center following the Knicks' win at Madison Square Garden.