Sophia Laforteza

Last updated

Sophia Laforteza
Sophia Katseye.jpg
Laforteza in 2024
Born
Sophia Elizabeth Guevara Laforteza

(2002-12-31) December 31, 2002 (age 22)
Queens, New York City, U.S.
Citizenship
  • Philippines
  • United States
Alma mater Multiple Intelligence International School
Occupation
  • Singer
Mother Carla Guevara Laforteza
Musical career
Genres Pop
InstrumentVocals
Years active2024–present
Labels
Member of Katseye
Signature
Sophia Laforteza Signature.svg

Sophia Elizabeth Guevara Laforteza (born December 31, 2002) is a Filipino and American singer based in Los Angeles, California. In 2024, she made her debut as the leader of the girl group Katseye, formed through Hybe UMG and Geffen Records' global competition reality show Dream Academy .

Contents

Early life

Sophia Elizabeth Guevara Laforteza [1] was born on December 31, 2002, at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in New York. [2] Her mother, Carla Guevara Laforteza, is a musical theater actress and singer, [3] [4] while her father, Basilio Godfrey Laforteza III, is an executive chef at Newport World Resorts. [5] [6] She has a brother one year older than her and a younger sibling. [7] She is fluent in both English and Tagalog. [8] Through her mother, Laforteza is related to Domingo M. Guevara, a Filipino industrialist after whom a street in Mandaluyong City was named. [6]

Laforteza has been singing since she was three years old. At age five, she took several classes in ballet, jazz, musical theater, hip hop, and tap dancing. [8] She graduated with the highest academic honors from Multiple Intelligence International School in Quezon City in June 2021. [9]

Career

Beginnings

At the age of five, Laforteza appeared on the Philippine talk show She Said, She Said with her mother. The two sang together on the program. [9] In May 2022, she competed on the Philippine game show Family Feud . [10] Before debuting on Katseye, she collaborated with Filipino singer Angia Laurel on a cover of Audrey Mika's "Y U Gotta Be Like That", which was uploaded on YouTube. [11] [12]

2023–present: Dream Academy, Katseye debut

From August 19 to November 17, 2023, Laforteza represented the Philippines on the American survival reality television show Dream Academy , [13] created in collaboration with Hybe and Geffen Records to determine the members of a described "global" girl group. [14] Laforteza was selected from over 120,000 applicants worldwide to be one of the twenty finalists on the show. [15] Throughout the competition, Laforteza consistently earned high ranks in the fan voting missions. [16] At the live finale on November 17, 2023, she was announced as the first member of the group (later named Katseye) and was also designated as the group's leader. [17] [18]

As a member of Katseye, Laforteza became the first Filipino artist to sign with a Hybe label. She received public support in the Philippines and expressed gratitude, thanking them for helping make her "dream come true." [19] [20]

As a contestant of Dream Academy, Laforteza participated in the promotional release of the contestants' shared songs for competition. It was performed on November 17, 2024, and released to streaming platforms on August 21, 2024. [21]

Media image

Laforteza has been lauded for representing Filipinos internationally and embracing her identity. She has been described as a "beacon" and someone who shares pride in her heritage. [22] [16] She is also noted to share many close friendships and online collaborations with fellow Filipino artists. [23]

Laforteza's makeup and styling of her lips has received positive attention within the cosmetics sphere, sparking curiosity and coverage on how to replicate them. [24]

Advocacy

Laforteza has expressed support for the 2025 Philippine anti-corruption protests. The solidarity was described as Laforteza using her global spotlight to help amplify the movement. [25]

Discography

As (artist)TitleReleasedTrackType
The Debut: Dream Academy The Debut: Dream Academy - Live Finale August 21, 2024"Dirty Water"Promotional release
"All The Same"

Filmography

Television programs

YearTitleRoleRef.
2008She Said, She SaidHerself [9]
2022 Family Feud [10]
2023 Dream Academy [14]
2024Pop Star Academy: Katseye [21]

References

  1. ↑ Adachi, Tsubasa (March 29, 2025). "KATSEYE（キャッツアイ）のプロフィール＆ビジュアルを総まとめ！HYBEのオーディションから誕生した新グループに注目" [Summary of Katseye's profile and visuals! Pay attention to the new group born from Hybe's audition]. Elle Girl Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  2. ↑ Tan, Kim Shelly (September 5, 2023). "10 Sophia Laforteza Facts About The Filipino Contestant On Hybe's The Debut: Dream Academy". The Smart Local Philippines. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023.
  3. ↑ Sibal, Gianna (September 28, 2024). "Exclusive: The Mom of Katseye's Sophia Laforteza on Sharing the Same Singing Prowess". Mega. Archived from the original on February 17, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  4. ↑ Anna, Cerezo (August 12, 2024). "Carla Guevara Laforteza challenges herself at 'A La Carlotta'". ABS-CBN News . Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Meet The Chef: Godfrey Laforteza". Tatler Philippines . November 6, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  6. ↑ Lo, Ricky. "Theater (not school) is where Carla's heart is". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Wickes, Hanna (August 20, 2024). "Meet Sophia Laforteza, the Leader of Katseye: Age, Where She's From and More!". J-14. Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 Glorioso, Nica (September 4, 2023). "10 Things You Need To Know About Dream Academy's Sophia Laforteza". Nylon Manila . Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Teodoro, Floralyn (August 30, 2023). "Who Is Sophia Laforteza? Filipina Joins Hybe x Geffen 'Dream Academy' As A Trainee". International Business Times . Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  10. ↑ Glorioso, Nica (June 3, 2025). "Angia Is The Newest Artist & Creative To Put On Your Radar". Nylon Manila . Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  11. ↑ Pagulong, Charmie Joy (June 11, 2025). "Angia Laurel finds inspiration in Katseye's Sophia as she enters music scene". The Philippine Star . Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  12. ↑ Acebuche, Yoniel (November 7, 2023). "Filipino talent Sophia Laforteza secures spot in 'The Debut: Dream Academy' finale". Philstar Life. The Philippine Star . Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  13. 1 2 Aniftos, Rania (August 28, 2023). "Meet the 20 Finalists for HYBE x Geffen 'Dream Academy' Global Girl Group Contest". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  14. ↑ Medel, Meryl (August 31, 2023). "Meet Sophia Laforteza, the Only Filipina Candidate in Hybe and Geffen's Global Girl Group Search". 8list.ph. Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Saulog, Gabriel (September 5, 2025). "Katseye's Sophia is The Filipino Dream Realized". Billboard Philippines . Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  16. ↑ Zee, Michaela (November 18, 2023). "Hybe, Geffen Records Unveil New Girl Group Katseye". Variety . Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  17. ↑ Olson, Samantha (August 19, 2024). "Time to Meet Global Girl Group KATSEYE's 6 Members". Cosmopolitan . Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  18. ↑ Johnathon, Hicap (November 9, 2023). "Pinoy Bet Sophia Laforteza Makes it to finals of 'Dream Academy' Global Girl Group Program". Manila Bulletin . Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  19. ↑ Roque, Nika (November 22, 2023). "Sophia Laforteza, the 1st Filipino artist under HYBE, tells supporters: 'Thank you for helping me make my dream come true'". GMA Integrated News . Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  20. 1 2 Burt, Kayti (August 23, 2024). "Netflix's Pop Star Academy: Katseye Reveals What it Takes to Make a Global Girl Group". Time . Archived from the original on October 3, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  21. ↑ Martinez, Gavin (July 1, 2025). "Katseye's Sophia Laforteza wears her Filipino identity with pride". Philippine Daily Inquirer .
  22. ↑ Bautista, Rafael (July 23, 2025). "Here's Proof That Sophia Laforteza Is The Miss Congeniality Of Filipino Artists". Nylon Manila .
  23. ↑ Singh, Paulina (January 1, 2025). "The Exact Product Sophia Laforteza Uses to Achieve a Glossy Lip". Preview . Archived from the original on October 26, 2025.
    Tabiolo, Jewil Anne M. (July 1, 2025). "Katseye's Sophia lip routine might just change how you do beauty". SunStar Cebu . Archived from the original on October 26, 2025.
    Liang, Danisha (May 19, 2025). "Perfect Pout: The Best-Kept Secret Behind Sophia From Katseye's Signature Lip Combo". Grazia Malaysia . Archived from the original on October 26, 2025.
    Delgado, Sara (May 29, 2025). "Katseye's Sophia Laforteza Finally Gets Real About Her Lip Combo". Teen Vogue . Archived from the original on October 26, 2025.
    Sagun, Daphne (July 30, 2025). "How to Get Sophia Laforteza's Glossy Lips, According to a Makeup Artist". Vogue Philippines . Archived from the original on October 26, 2025.
  24. ↑ Oxyn, Anya (September 23, 2025). "The Youth Are Not Apathetic: Sophia Laforteza Shows Digital Solidarity With Filipinos". Mega. Archived from the original on September 27, 2025. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
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