Kyla Massie, a former member of the K-pop girl group PRISTIN, has delighted fans by announcing her surprise engagement.
The 23-year-old singer shared the news on her Instagram account on February 15, posting a series of heartwarming photos featuring her fiancé, Lucas. The engagement took place near snow-capped mountains in Portland, Oregon.
"I'm left-handed now," Massie wrote in the caption.
Massie's journey in the K-pop industry began in March 2017, when she debuted as the youngest member of PRISTIN under Pledis Entertainment. During her time with the group, Massie held the positions of Lead Rapper and Vocalist.
However, her time with the group was cut short when she had to halt activities in October 2017 due to health issues, causing her to return to the United States for treatment for a concussion.
PRISTIN ultimately disbanded in May 2019, just two years after its debut. Several factors led to the group's disbandment, including decreasing album sales—43,000 for its first album and only 27,000 for its second. Pledis Entertainment also seemingly focused on other groups on its roster, such as Fromis 9 and IZ*ONE.
Furthermore, the group had several issues, especially since they had significant creative freedom. Massie was criticized for her weight, and some members were also spotted frequenting bars and clubs.
Read more: Former PRISTIN Kyla Under Fire for Allegedly Talking Behind Her Members and Labelmates' Backs
Three members, Kyulkyung, Yehana, and Sungyeon, remain with Pledia Entertainment. The other seven members, including Massie, have terminated their contracts.
After disbandment, Massie returned to the US to pursue higher education. She initially majored in Psychology at a community college before transferring to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) to study Biological Anthropology. In June 2020, she released a solo EP titled Watch Me Glow.
Massie is a part-time teaching assistant at UCSD. She has been involved in multiple research projects and has become a published author. She plans to pursue medical school.
