The Philippines has another person to be proud of—and that’s the talented 20-year-old Sophia Laforteza!
The young Filipina’s name first came to light when she and 19 other girls were announced to take part in the audition program ‘The Debut: Dream Academy,” created by one of K-Pop’s biggest entertainment giants HYBE Labels and in collaboration with Universal Music Group’s subsidiary Geffen Records. The aim of the ‘survival’ program, as explained by Bang Si-hyuk, was to form an international group based on the K-Pop methodology.
From a span of 2 months and 16 days and with 3 missions to accomplish, “The Debut: Dream Academy” saw 20 contestants from around the world vie for a spot in HYBE and Geffen Records’ newest international girl group.
In the survival show’s finale episode last November 17, 2023, the girl group—now known as KATSEYE, announced its final lineup, with Filipina Sophia Laforteza being the first one announced. The lineup was completed by Lara Rajagopalan (USA), Daniela Avanzini (USA), Yoonchae Jeong (South Korea), Megan Skiendiel (USA), and Manon Bannerman (Switzerland).
KATSEYE is set to debut in 2024 with THEIR album, and Netflix will also be releasing a documentary following the competition and KATSEYE’s formation in the summer of 2024.
And so, who is Sophia Laforteza, the Filipina who’s been catching everyone’s eye since Dream Academy’s first mission?
Daughter of stage actress Carla Guevarra and renowned Pinoy chef Godfrey Laforteza
Coming from a talented actress mom and a talented chef dad? Well, Sophia’s just made for stardom, I guess.
A true K-Pop stan (just like a lot of us here)
Sophia’s a huge fan of (now labelmates??!) BTS, TXT, and LE SSERAFIM, and her biases are V, Jungwon, and Huh Yunjin. Oh, and just check out her social media—her K-Pop stan just shows!
A Capricorn and is a 2002 baby
Born on December 31, 2002, Sophia was a day early from being a new year baby! Jokes aside, this young and talented girl is a true-blooded Capricorn, who is known to be determined, ambitious, and hardworking.
Amazingly smart and funny
Like what, she’s talented (that’s a given), but also smart and funny? That’s a girl everyone would want to be friends with. She graduated from high school at the Multiple Intelligence International School in Quezon City in 2021 with a handful of awards.
Just take a look at this post, with the caption paying homage to Elle Woods’ most famous line, “Like what, it’s hard?” GIRL.
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Oh, and she’s definitely goofy too thanks to her multitude of nicknames—Sophie, Fifi, Sopheezy.
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Definitely deserves that spot in KATSEYE
We don’t think we’ve said this enough—Sophia’s just too talented! Just take a look at her journey in The Debut: Dream Academy: she placed second in the first mission where her group sang Paramore’s “Still Into You,” she placed first in the second mission, where her group performed a rendition of LE SSERAFIM’s “Antifragile,” and placed first again in the third mission, where she performed “Buttons” by The Pussycat Dolls (and had gone viral because of her being the center!).
Essentially, she’s got the top spot and no one’s denying it. That’s just raw talent on her part, and you can even see more of her pre-debut singing skills on her TikTok.
Congratulations again on your success and eventual debut, Sophia! Filipinos will definitely support you and the rest of KATSEYE!
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