Who is Sophia Laforteza? A Rising KATSEYE’s Filipina Star
Sophia Laforteza is a Filipina singer, dancer, and performer who became famous as one of the six members of KATSEYE, the global girl group formed by HYBE and Geffen Records through the survival show The Debut: Dream Academy.
K-pop has welcomed another rising global star, and this time, she comes from the Philippines. Sophia Laforteza, one of the members of the new global girl group KATSEYE, is quickly capturing attention with her talent, charm, and inspiring story.
If you’re curious about who Sophia is and how she became part of this exciting new group, here’s everything you need to know about her journey.
Sophia Laforteza Early Life
Sophia Laforteza was born on January 31, 2002, in Queens, New York. Although she was born in New York, she is of Filipino descent. She also belongs to a family of artists.
Sophia represents the Philippines on the international K-pop stage. She is known for her strong vocals, sharp dance skills, and charismatic stage presence. She has quickly gained recognition as a rising star and an inspiration to many aspiring artists, especially in Southeast Asia.
Her mother, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, is a well-known musical theater actress and singer in the Philippines who has performed in international shows like Miss Saigon.
Her father, Godfrey Laforteza III, is a former dancer who now works as an executive chef in Manila. Sophia’s maternal grandfather, Domingo M. Guevara, was a respected businessman who contributed to the country’s economic growth.
She also has two brothers, an older and a younger one, making her the middle child in the family.

Biodata of Sophia LaForteza
- Full Name: Sophia Elizabeth G. Laforteza
- Birthday: January 31, 2002
- Nationality: Filipino
Group: KATSEYE - Known For: Vocals, dancing, stage charisma
- Notable Achievement: First Filipina to debut under HYBE’s global girl group project
Sophia LaForteza Education
Sophia Laforteza attended and graduated from the Multiple Intelligence International School in Quezon City, Philippines.
She graduated in 2021 with highest honors. The school itself has acknowledged her as an alumna and expressed excitement about her success with the girl group, KATSEYE.
Laforteza Before Fame
Before joining KATSEYE, Sophia already had some experience in performing arts. She worked as a trainee and even trained under Star Magic, ABS-CBN’s talent agency in the Philippines, which has produced many successful actors and singers.
Her early exposure to the industry gave her the discipline and stage presence that later helped her stand out in international auditions.
Rise to Fame Through The Debut: Dream Academy
In 2023, Sophia joined the global survival program “The Debut: Dream Academy”, produced by HYBE (the company behind BTS, SEVENTEEN, and NewJeans) in partnership with Geffen Records in the U.S.
The show featured talented contestants from all over the world, competing for a spot in HYBE’s first global girl group. Sophia impressed judges and fans with her strong vocals, sharp dance moves, and confidence on stage.
Week after week, she proved her versatility, whether performing high-energy K-pop choreographies or emotional ballads.
Her charisma and unique identity as a Filipina performer made her a fan favorite. In the finale, Sophia successfully secured her spot as one of the six official members of KATSEYE.
KATSEYE: A Global Girl Group
KATSEYE officially debuted in 2024 under HYBE x Geffen Records. The group is unique because it brings together members from different countries to connect with fans all over the world.
Sophia’s inclusion in KATSEYE is historic, as she represents the first-ever Filipina idol to debut under HYBE, one of the most powerful companies in the K-pop industry. This makes her an inspiration to many aspiring artists in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Sum Up
Sophia Laforteza’s journey from a young Filipina dreamer to an international idol is truly inspiring. At just 23 years old, she has already made a name for herself in the global music industry.
She proves that passion and perseverance can lead to great success. With her talent, charm, and determination, Sophia’s future in entertainment looks very bright.
People Also Ask
Sophis Laforteza is 23 years old.
Sophia Laforteza is 167 cm (5’6″) tall.
Sophia Laforteza is famous due to her role in the global girl group KATSEYE and her participation in the reality survival show The Debut: Dream Academy.
Carla Guevara-Laforteza, a singer and actress for stage and television, is the mother of Sophia Laforteza.
Her net worth ranges between $100,000 and $500,000 USD, based mainly on her rising music and social media career



