When it comes to the 2027 Grammys, Katseye can’t be counted out.
Formed through Netflix’s Pop Star Academy, Katseye was assembled as Hybe and Geffen Records’ next major act — and so far, the global girl group has delivered on that promise.
Katseye has scored a string of hits, including “Gabriela,” “Pinky Up,” and “Animal,” the latter of which is currently in heavy rotation. Last year, the group earned two unexpected Grammy nominations, including a Best New Artist bid, despite entering the race with lower odds than fellow nominees. Since then, Katseye has only grown bigger, with their latest EP, Wild, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with a historic first-week sales total.
So should you expect Katseye to repeat that Grammy showing? Absolutely.
The Grammys have become increasingly attuned to younger acts, in part because social media — particularly TikTok — has made it easier for voters to discover artists outside the mainstream. A major reason Katseye was underestimated last year was the assumption that its young fan base would not translate to Grammy support. But Recording Academy voters are online, too, and they are clearly aware of the artists driving the current conversation. Look no further than the nominations for “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters in the General Field categories as another example of the Grammys embracing music with a powerful digital following.
Katseye’s growing profile should make the group competitive in several categories. The safest prediction is Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, where Katseye was nominated last year for “Gabriela.” That recognition came before the song reached its peak on the Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. radio, suggesting that “Animal,” an even bigger hit, should have little trouble making the cut.
Likewise, Wild’s first single, the club-ready “Pinky Up,” is a strong contender for Best Dance Pop Recording. It reached the Top 30 of the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Dance Pop Songs chart, making it one of the category’s most visible and commercially successful contenders. With both songs among the best-known entries in their respective fields, it would be stunning if Katseye missed in either category.
The group’s most ambitious target may be Best Pop Vocal Album for Wild. The fact that it is an EP should not be an obstacle; shorter projects have previously competed in the category, most recently Coldplay’s Kaleidoscope at the 2017 Grammys. Commercially, Wild has many of the characteristics of a typical nominee: multiple hits, a recognizable act, a major year, a sold-out tour and substantial media attention.
The EP’s reviews have been relatively mixed, but critical consensus is rarely an insurmountable barrier for commercially dominant eras. Justin Bieber, Coldplay, and Imagine Dragons have all received nominations in the category despite Metacritic scores in the 40s or 50s, with visibility and commercial success helping to propel them into the race.
If Katseye gets into Best Pop Vocal Album, it would become the first girl group in Grammy history to receive a nomination in the category. The group is also seeking to become the first group of any kind to earn a Best Dance Pop Recording nomination.
The biggest obstacle may not be critical reception, however, but the uncertainty surrounding the group’s future. In February, Katseye revealed that Manon Bannerman would take an indefinite hiatus “to focus on her health and well-being,” and there was no further explanation on her absence or a timetable for when (or if) she will return. Then last month, Katseye announced on social media that Sophia Laforteza, the group’s ostensible leader, would be “temporarily unable to participate in upcoming promotional activities” so she could prioritize her “mental health and wellness.” Both remain apart from the group, and there are growing concerns about whether Katseye could be headed toward disbandment.
Ultimately, though, such speculation might affect the group’s momentum and public perception, but Grammy voters are more likely to focus on the music.
Katseye should be considered a strong bet for next year’s Grammys, with at least two nominations in play. If the group holds together and continues its strong output — two consequential ifs — Katseye could be on a path toward challenging Destiny’s Child’s record 14 Grammy nominations in the years ahead.
