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THE INTERVIEW

On Dream Academy

“Take me back to Dream Academy. Who was Jenesis walking into that experience and who walked out?”

I was 18 and, honestly, very internally arrogant. I was so excited about being scouted for this, but the environment was very intimidating. I didn’t know anyone; they didn’t know me, and I didn’t want them to know me. My last name carries a lot of weight, and I wanted to prove I could back it up before they knew about it.

I walked out of there with six more sisters that I wouldn’t trade the world for. I wasn’t as arrogant anymore; I learned that to be soft is to be strong, no pun intended.

“You were being watched and evaluated constantly during that period — what did that do to your relationship with yourself?”

Difficult, it’d be for anybody. I was lucky enough to have an incredible support system through my father and sister. I doubted myself a lot, but I came out of it loving myself more. I always have moments of insecurity, but I wouldn’t be who I am now at 21 without the girl I was at 18.

“Who in that process pushed you in a way you're still grateful for?”

Dani. Dani’s my best friend; she was then, and she is now. There was a point where I was so drained, and I felt like there was nothing else I could offer - I was rung out like a towel. But Dani encouraged me and reassured me that if I went through this entire process for this long, why wouldn’t I stick it out and give it everything I had? That’s something I still live by.

“What's something you know now that you wish you could send back to the version of you who walked into Dream Academy?”

Nothing, 18-year-old Jenesis needed to figure that out for herself. If anything, I’d just tell her to stay strong.

On KATSEYE & The Members

“You have six other people who have seen you at your most exhausted and most exhilarated and most unhinged. What does that kind of closeness actually feel like from the inside?”

I’m so grateful to have six more sisters who love me more than anything. I feel like it’s rare that you find people who genuinely understand you, and after going through something like that together on DA, it’s impossible not to be. Walking into that program, I didn’t think I was going to walk out of it with lifelong friends. I could see a future where we’re all hanging out with our spouses and kids, and I’m so excited for that.

“What's something one of your members has taught you that you didn't expect to learn from them?”

A lot of my confidence comes from Lara. I’m not shy, but according to her, she’s said before that “I forget who I am.” In terms of confidence, she’s definitely my number one hype girl.

“What does the group chat look like on a normal Tuesday?”

All of us have to wake up at 6 a.m.; someone’s saying, “I can’t get out of bed,” or someone else is yelling at another, saying, “Who used the last K-Cup?” We’re with each other all the time, so I feel like the chat honestly isn’t used as frequently as you’d think.

“Do you guys gossip about the industry?”

Whoever says no is an absolute liar.

On Fame, Identity, Public Life, Romance, & Social Life

"KATSEYE has one of the most engaged fanbases in the world right now. What's your actual relationship with that — like how does it feel on a random Tuesday when you're just trying to live your life?"

I have a great relationship with EYEKONS, I'm not gonna be one of those people that are like "No, I don't watch edits of myself, who would do that?" Me, I'd do that. I watch the edits, I read the fanfics, I'm involved. I love it.

"You've talked about alternative fashion as a form of expression - Is there a designer or aesthetic that feels most like you right now?"

My own brand is launching in July, I can't say too much about that just yet. But it feels the most like me because it was created by me, and I'm so proud of it.

"You went through a public break-up with another artist in the industry, has your idea of what you actually need from a person shifted significantly this year?"

I definitely know what I don't need from a person now, and that includes not berating my ex-partners on livestream but to each their own.

On The Music & The New Album

“The new album has been described by people who've heard it as a twist, different from what KATSEYE has ever done before. What shifted?”

We’ve matured a lot within the last couple of years, and we’ll always look back on SIS and Beautiful Chaos very fondly. But this new era has more of a storyline now, and I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but whatever, it will also be presented with new media outside of music.

“A movie maybe? A show?”

She smiled and gave a casual shrug.

“You haven’t always been involved in the writing process when it comes to KATSEYE; what changed?”

My members and I wanted to feel more connected to our music and our audience, so in a way, we wanted to stop being spoon-fed lyrics. That’s not to say we couldn’t relate to previous music, but we wanted it to resonate with us.

“What's the song you're most nervous for people to hear and why?”

The intro song is the most different thing we’ve ever done, even the choreography, so I’m a little nervous about how people will react. Still, it’s such a serve.

“Has your relationship with performing changed since the beginning? What does it feel like now versus then?”

Definitely. I’ve always loved performing. When I was younger, I dreamed of being on Broadway and thought I’d be a soloist and an actress. But this program made me realize that’s not what I want. I’d rather perform with my group and friends—it’s so much more fun. I love sharing this with the six other girls I care about. Now, we work as a team, not as individuals.

Pride Spotlight

“It's Pride month. Who in the LGBTQ+ community has influenced your artistry, your fashion, your sense of self?”

Bjork is so iconic, and so is David Bowie. Their artistry is quirky and unique, and you couldn’t find it anywhere else. They made me believe that if you see beauty in something, you shouldn’t wait for others to agree.

“KATSEYE has an incredibly queer fanbase, Teen Vogue ran a poll, and KATSEYE was the most listened to girl group in the queer community. How does that make you and your other queer members feel?”

Thank god, like honestly thank god. We do it for the girls and the gays; that’s it.

“What does pride look like for you personally — not the event, just the feeling?”