KATSEYE’s Lara Raj has spoken out after an AI-generated deepfake video falsely depicting her making racist remarks began circulating online. In a message to fans, Lara described the video as “disgusting” and said the experience genuinely broke her heart, while urging people to remember the human impact of fabricated content.
Lara addressed the situation through Weverse DM after the video spread across social media, particularly on X. The fabricated clip used her likeness and voice to create the appearance that she had made offensive statements, including racist slurs, leading some users to react to the material as though it were authentic.
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“I havent been addressing things lately as much because i feel it often fuels the darkness and hate,” Lara wrote, explaining why she had generally avoided responding to online controversies. This time, however, she felt compelled to address what had happened after seeing the deepfake circulate.
The KATSEYE member said she could not understand why someone would create such material or use it to construct a false narrative about another person. The technology behind increasingly convincing AI-generated videos has made it possible to manipulate a person’s face and voice into saying or doing things that never happened, creating a particularly damaging problem for public figures whose content can reach millions of people within minutes.
“People often forget we are human beings with feelings, in our teens and early 20s and are not made of steel,” Lara wrote. She added that content like the fabricated video can be genuinely harmful, highlighting the personal consequences behind what might otherwise be dismissed as another piece of viral internet content.
The video was removed from X, although copies continued to circulate elsewhere. Lara’s response also thanked KATSEYE’s fans for checking on her and sending messages of support after the incident.
Her message comes during an already significant period for KATSEYE. The six-member global girl group formed through HYBE and Geffen Records’ Dream Academy is currently navigating a series of changes while continuing its WILDWORLD Tour.
Two members are currently on hiatus. Manon stepped away in February 2026 to focus on her health and wellbeing, while Sophia announced a hiatus in August to prioritize her mental health. Lara, Daniela, Megan and Yoonchae have continued group activities as a quartet during the current touring cycle.
KATSEYE recently completed the European and U.K. portion of the WILDWORLD Tour, including a performance at London’s O2 Arena, before taking a break ahead of the North American dates. The next major date on the calendar is September 26, when KATSEYE will make its Saturday Night Live debut as musical guests for the Season 52 premiere.
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