Quick Answer: Meret Manon Bannerman, known as Manon, is a 23-year-old Swiss singer born on June 26, 2002, in Lucerne, Switzerland. She is a member of the global girl group KATSEYE, formed through HYBE and Geffen Records. She made history as the first biracial Black and white artist signed to a HYBE label. In February 2026, she announced a temporary hiatus from the group to focus on her health.
Who is Meret Manon Bannerman?
Most fans know her simply as Manon. But her full name, Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman, holds the story of 3 countries, two cultures, and one very determined young woman.
She is a Swiss singer, model, and social media personality. She rose to global attention as a member of KATSEYE, one of the most talked-about girl groups of 2024. But long before that, she was writing songs in her bedroom in Zurich and teaching herself piano and ukulele at age 15.
Early Life and Background
Where is Manon From?
Meret Manon Bannerman was born on June 26, 2002, in Lucerne, Switzerland. She grew up in Zurich.
Her mother is Swiss-Italian and her father is Akan Ashanti Ghanaian. She grew up navigating 3 languages and cultures, Ghanaian, Swiss, and Italian, which makes her a classic Third Culture Kid.
She speaks English, German, Swiss-German, and basic French.
Why Does She Go By “Manon”?
While studying in Los Angeles as an exchange student, people struggled to pronounce “Meret.” She started going by her middle name, Manon, and it stuck professionally.
Her full name has three layers:
- Meret – her Swiss given name
- Manon – her middle name, now her stage name
- Sarpong – her Ghanaian middle name
Does Manon Have a Sister?
Yes. Manon has one older sister, Lena Lou Bannerman, who has been a close and supportive presence throughout her journey into music.
Meret Manon Bannerman – Age, Height, and Bio Table
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman |
| Stage Name | Manon |
| Age | 23 (as of 2026) |
| Birthday | June 26, 2002 |
| Birthplace | Lucerne, Switzerland |
| Raised Iin | Zurich, Switzerland |
| Height | 166 cm (5’5″) |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Ethnicity | Ghanaian / Swiss-Italian (Biracial) |
| MBTI | ENFJ |
| Stage Color | Pastel Yellow |
Manon Bannerman’s Parents – Father and Mom
Manon Bannerman’s Father – Zacharias Bannerman
Zacharias Bannerman is of Akan Ashanti Ghanaian descent. He is the reason Manon believed so early that she was meant for the stage.
When she was a child, her father used to compare her to Beyoncé, not because of hype, but because of how driven and passionate she already was about performing. Manon has said she knew she wanted to be on stage from the age of four.
Her father gave her the Ghanaian surname Bannerman and the middle name Sarpong — both of which she carries proudly.
Manon Bannerman’s Mom – Daniela Hügi
Daniela Hügi is Swiss-Italian. After Manon’s parents divorced, Daniela raised her as a single mother in Zurich.
She has remained a visible, supportive figure throughout Manon’s career, from her early days writing songs at home to her global debut as part of KATSEYE.
Being raised by a white European mother while carrying a Ghanaian identity and surname gave Manon a perspective on belonging, identity, and culture that shows up clearly in how she carries herself publicly.
How Did Manon Get Into Music?
Manon did not come from a traditional talent pipeline. No singing school. No agency at 12. She built her path herself.
At fifteen, she started composing songs as a hobby, learning the ukulele and piano entirely on her own. She once joked that most of those early songs were “cringe love songs or songs about cats.”
She never released solo music during that period. She was, by her own words, a perfectionist. Nothing felt ready.
Her big break came through social media. A casting director spotted her TikTok videos and Instagram photos and reached out. She auditioned for HYBE UMG, was accepted as a trainee, and relocated to Los Angeles, with zero formal dance training.
She spent about a year and three months training at HYBE UMG in Los Angeles before entering The Debut: Dream Academy. Learning to dance professionally from scratch, in a foreign country, under massive pressure, that commitment is one of the things fans admire most.
Manon KATSEYE – How She Made the Group
The Debut: Dream Academy
In 2023, HYBE and Geffen Records launched a global survival reality show, The Debut: Dream Academy. Thousands of hopefuls competed for six spots in a new international girl group.
Manon entered as a contestant and finished 6th in the finale, the very last qualifying spot. On November 18, 2023, she was officially announced as a member of the debut lineup.
Finishing last among thousands is still finishing. And for Manon, it was everything.
KATSEYE Debut
On August 16, 2024, KATSEYE officially debuted with their first EP, SIS (Soft Is Strong).
KATSEYE Members – Full List
KATSEYE is a six-member global girl group signed to HYBE and Geffen Records.
| Member | Country |
| Manon (Meret Manon Bannerman) | Switzerland |
| Daniela Avanzini | United States |
| Lara Raj | United States |
| Megan Skiendiel | United States |
| Sophia Laforteza | Philippines / United States |
| Yoonchae Jeung | South Korea |
Manon is the oldest member of KATSEYE.
Their journey was documented in the Netflix series Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, giving global audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the group.
Why Manon Bannerman Stands Out
A Historic First
Manon is the first biracial Black and white musical artist to be signed to a HYBE label.
That is not a small distinction. HYBE is the company behind BTS, BLACKPINK, and some of the most powerful acts in global pop music. Being the first to break that barrier matters, not just for Manon, but for every biracial and Black artist watching.
Brand Deals
Since debuting, KATSEYE, including Manon, has partnered with brands including:
Gap, Fendi, Pandora, Glossier, Laneige, Lush, Monster High, and Jollibee.
That range, from luxury fashion (Fendi) to global food chains (Jollibee) to major beauty brands, demonstrates the reach KATSEYE has built in a very short time.
Manon Bannerman’s Tattoo
Manon has visible tattoos that fans frequently ask about on social media. She has not publicly disclosed the specific meanings behind all of them, but they have become part of her public image and a regular topic of fan discussion across platforms like Weverse, TikTok, and Reddit.
Manon KATSEYE Songs – Discography Highlights
Some of KATSEYE’s best-known tracks include:
- “Debut” – their debut single
- “Touch”
- “Soft Is Strong” – title track from their first EP
- “Fright Song” – a collaboration with Monster High
- “Winter Wonderland” – holiday release
Their debut EP SIS (Soft Is Strong) was released on August 16, 2024.
Is Manon Taking a Break From KATSEYE?
Yes, and fans have been asking about this a lot in 2026.
On February 20, 2026, HYBE and Geffen Records announced that Manon would be taking a temporary hiatus from KATSEYE activities to focus on her health and wellbeing.
Manon addressed fans directly through Weverse shortly after, writing:
“Hi friends. I want you to hear this from me – I’m healthy, I’m OK, and I’m taking care of myself. Thank you for checking in! Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I’m trusting the bigger picture. Thank you for standing by me. I love you endlessly and can’t wait to see you again.”
Many fans have connected her situation to a broader conversation about how Black and biracial members of pop groups, particularly in K-pop-adjacent spaces, are sometimes treated differently. Her treatment has been compared by some observers to that of Normani in Fifth Harmony and Leigh-Anne Pinnock in Little Mix, both of whom faced unfair treatment within their groups and from parts of their fanbases.
The response from most of KATSEYE’s fanbase, called EYEKONS, was supportive.
Meret Manon Bannerman Net Worth
No official figure has been confirmed. Based on publicly available data around KATSEYE’s deals and Manon’s individual brand activity, estimates range from $100,000 to $2 million USD.
Her income comes from:
- KATSEYE music releases and streaming revenue
- Brand partnerships (Fendi, Gap, Glossier, Laneige, Pandora, and others)
- Modeling
- Social media content
With HYBE as a parent label, her earning potential is expected to grow significantly as the group expands.
Interesting Facts About Manon Bannerman
- Her father compared her to Beyoncé when she was a child, because of her drive, not just her talent.
- She learned piano and ukulele entirely on her own at 15, with no formal lessons.
- She speaks English, German, and Swiss-German fluently.
- She was scouted through TikTok and Instagram, not through a talent agency.
- She had no prior dance training before becoming a HYBE trainee.
- In January 2026, she co-created a short film called “Not Bad” with friends Violet and Sophie.
- Her BLACKPINK biases are Jennie and Lisa.
- Her stage color in KATSEYE is Pastel Yellow.
- Her MBTI type is ENFJ.
- She has visible tattoos that fans regularly ask about.
Known Details About Manon’s Tattoos
- Three Dots on Middle Fingers: A set of small dot tattoos across her three middle fingers, a minimalist motif she’s often shown wearing in social posts and official appearances.
- Fine Line Ring Design: A delicate linear tattoo around her ring finger, created by an LA-based artist known for intricate fine-line work. This design has appeared in campaigns and close-up photos.
- “Ham” on Inner Bicep: A script tattoo reading ham on her upper inner arm, reportedly done in the handwriting of three of her friends, one letter by each. The tattoo’s tone is playful and personal.
- “Femme Fatale” on Ribs: The phrase femme fatale inked along her rib line, adding a stylish, expressive line to her collection.
- Script on Foot: A fine cursive script on the side of her left foot’s instep, believed to read Sophie based on fashion photos shown during a published cover shoot.
- Additional Cursive Above Elbow: A dainty cursive line just above her elbow, which fans noticed earlier in the year and has been visible at events like awards shows and fashion appearances.
Frequently Asked Question
What is Manon’s real name?
Her full name is Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman. She goes by Manon professionally because “Meret” was hard for people in Los Angeles to pronounce during her exchange student days.
How old is Meret Manon Bannerman?
She is 23 years old, born on June 26, 2002, in Lucerne, Switzerland.
What is meret manon age in 2026? Manon turned 23 in June 2025. She will turn 24 in June 2026.
What is Manon Bannerman’s height?
She is 166 cm tall, approximately 5 feet 5 inches.
What is Manon Bannerman’s ethnicity?
She is biracial. Her father is Akan Ashanti Ghanaian and her mother is Swiss-Italian.
Who is Manon Bannerman’s father?
Her father is Zacharias Bannerman, who is of Ghanaian descent. He compared her to Beyoncé as a child and gave her both the Bannerman surname and her Ghanaian middle name, Sarpong.
Who is Manon Bannerman’s mom?
Her mother is Daniela Hügi, who is Swiss-Italian. She raised Manon in Zurich after her parents divorced.
Does Manon Bannerman have a sister?
Yes. Her older sister is Lena Lou Bannerman.
Is Manon taking a break from KATSEYE?
Yes. She announced a temporary hiatus on February 20, 2026, to focus on her health. She personally confirmed she is okay and will return.
What does Manon Bannerman’s tattoo mean?
Manon has visible tattoos, but she has not publicly explained the meaning behind all of them. They are a frequent topic of fan discussion on social media.
Who are the members of KATSEYE?
The six members are Manon, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung.
What band is Manon in?
Manon is a member of KATSEYE, a global girl group signed to HYBE and Geffen Records. They debuted in August 2024.
What are KATSEYE’s most known songs?
Their most notable songs include “Debut,” “Touch,” “Soft Is Strong,” and “Fright Song” (with Monster High).
