Sophia Laforteza
| Sophia Laforteza | |
|---|---|
 Sophia Katseye.jpg Laforteza in September 2024 | |
| Born | Sophia Elizabeth Guevara Laforteza December 31, 2002 Queens, New York City, U.S. |
| 🏳️ Citizenship |
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| 🎓 Alma mater | Multiple Intelligence International School |
| 💼 Occupation |
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| 👴 👵 Parent(s) |
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| Signature | |
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Sophia Elizabeth Guevara Laforteza (born December 31, 2002), also known mononymously as Sophia, is an American and Filipino singer based in Los Angeles, California. In 2024, she made her debut as the leader of the girl group Katseye,[2] formed through Hybe UMG and Geffen Records' global competition reality show Dream Academy in 2023.[3]
Early life
Sophia Elizabeth Guevara Laforteza[4] was born on December 31, 2002, at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in New York.[5] Her mother, Carla Guevara Laforteza, is a musical theater actress and singer,[6][7] while her father, Basilio Godfrey Laforteza III, is a former dancer and currently an executive chef.[8][9] She also has an older brother, born one year apart, and a younger brother. She is fluent in both English and Tagalog.[1]
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.[9] She graduated with the highest academic honors from Multiple Intelligence International School in Quezon City in June 2021.[10]
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.[10] In May 2022, she competed on the Philippine game show Family Feud.[11] Sometime before debuting in Katseye, she performed a cover of Audrey Mika's "Y U Gotta Be Like That" with Filipino singer Angia Laurel, which they uploaded on YouTube.[12][13]
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,[14] created in collaboration with Hybe and Geffen Records to determine the members of a described "global" girl group.[15] Laforteza was selected from over 120,000 applicants worldwide to be one of the twenty finalists on the show.[16] Throughout the competition, Laforteza consistently earned high ranks in the fan voting missions.[17] 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.[18][19]
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."[20][21]
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.[22]
Advocacy
In September 2025, Laforteza collaborated with the organization MentalHealthPH for a video.[23] She has also expressed support for the September 2025 Philippine protests.[24]
Discography
| Title | Year | Album | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Y U Gotta Be Like That" (with Angia Laurel) | 2019 | Non-album (Audrey Mika cover) | [12][13] |
| "Dirty Water" | 2024 | The Debut: Dream Academy | [22] |
| "All The Same" |
Filmography
Television programs
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | She Said, She Said | Herself | [10] |
| 2022 | Family Feud | [11] | |
| 2023 | Dream Academy | [15] | |
| 2024 | Pop Star Academy: Katseye | [22] |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Villano, Alexa (September 18, 2024). "Godfrey And Carla Guevara-Laforteza Beam With Pride On Daughter Sophia". Modern Parenting. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ↑ Cabral, Katrina Maisie (September 20, 2024). "The KATSEYE Members Talk About What Sophia Laforteza Is Like as a Leader". Preview.ph. Preview Philippines. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ Fung, Gloria (September 8, 2024). "Meet Sophia Laforteza, K-pop girl group Katseye's lead vocalist with big dreams". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 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 日本語). Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Anna, Cerezo (August 12, 2024). "Carla Guevara Laforteza challenges herself at 'A La Carlotta'". abs-cbn.com. ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Meet The Chef: Godfrey Laforteza". tatlerasia.com. Tatler Philippines. November 6, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Wickes, Hanna (August 20, 2024). "Meet Sophia Laforteza, the Leader of KATSYE: Age, Where She's From and More!". J-14. Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 11.0 11.1 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.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Glorioso, Nica (June 3, 2025). "Angia Is The Newest Artist & Creative To Put On Your Radar". Nylon Manila.
She and Katseye's Sophia Laforteza actually did theater together when they were kids—and they actually have a cover of Audrey Mika's 'Y U Gotta B Like That' up on YouTube!
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Pagulong, Charmie Joy (June 11, 2025). "Angia Laurel finds inspiration in Katseye's Sophia as she enters music scene". The Philippine Star.
Years ago, the two collaborated on a cover of Audrey Mika's 'Y U Gotta B Like That' as seen in an online video. [...] 'We did that cover for fun, not thinking it would blow up. Honestly, like seeing her pursue what she's always dreamed of ever since I've known her, it's always been a dream of hers to be a star wherever that may be,' she added.
- ↑ Acebuche, Yoniel (November 7, 2023). "Filipino talent Sophia Laforteza secures spot in 'The Debut: Dream Academy' finale". philstarlife.com. The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Johnathon, Hicap (November 9, 2023). "Pinoy bet Sophia Laforteza..." Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ GMA Integrated News (November 22, 2023). "Sophia Laforteza, the 1st Filipino artist under HYBE, tells supporters: 'Thank you for helping me make my dream come true'". GMA News Online. GMA Network. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 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. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ MentalHealthPH (September 9, 2025). "Thanks for this heartwarming reminder, Sophia that we are never truly alone. There will always be people ready to listen, and the weight feels lighter when we open up to others. 💚" – via TikTok.
- ↑ Oxyn, Anya (September 23, 2025). "The Youth Are Not Apathetic: Sophia Laforteza Shows Digital Solidarity With Filipinos". Mega. Archived from the original on September 25, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)CS1 maint: Unfit url (link)
External links
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