KATSEYE's Lara Comes Out as Queer, Thanks Fans for Overwhelming Support: 'It Made Me Feel So Confident in Who I Am'

KATSEYE's Lara Rajagopalan, known as Lara, has officially come out as queer in a series of new posts on the South Korean web platform WeVerse.

In messages posted on Monday, Lara opened up about her sexual identity and noted that she has known she was queer at least since was 8 years old.

"I knew I was half fruitcake when I was like 8, so I really was wanting everybody. Honestly, probably before 8," she wrote.

She also reflected on her fears of not being able to debut when the news came out during the audition program "Dream Academy." Lara further confessed she was scared of whether people would accept her once they found out about her sexual identity. Despite her fears, the idol expressed gratitude for the love she received from her fans, noting that the support helped her feel comfortable and confident.

"You all were so, so nice about it and gave me so much love and support, and it made me feel so confident in who I am," Lara added.

Lara's coming out is particularly significant, especially in the K-pop industry where KATSEYE has strong ties despite being marketed as a global group. Very few idols have come out and are openly queer, including notable figures such as MRSHLL, Aquinas, Som Hein, and former Wassup member Jiae.

Queerness in the K-pop industry means artists often struggle to find support and face discrimination. This comes despite the industry frequently engaging in queerbaiting.

KATSEYE, formed through a partnership between Hybe and Geffen Records, debuted in the summer of 2024. The group consists of six members from diverse backgrounds: Lara, Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Megan, and Yoonchae.

Since debuting, KATSEYE has already released several hit singles, including "Debut" and "Touch," with the latter becoming a sensation on TikTok.