Megan Skiendiel from the HYBE girl group KATSEYE spoke out after receiving critical comments about her look at Spotify's Best New Artist Party, which took place ahead of the Grammy Awards ceremony scheduled for Feb. 1.
The group attended the event on Jan. 29, where members wore bold and eye-catching outfits. While other band members received praise for their styling choices, Megan faced a wave of negative comments from online users who criticized her dress and appearance.
Some critics focused on the fit of her outfit, while others made remarks about her skin and unfiltered visuals. KATSEYE was forced to delete a photo of Megan following the flood of harsh criticism, according to Koreaboo.
Rather than remaining silent, Megan took action by posting messages on Weverse, the official fan community platform used by the group. She encouraged people to be kinder when commenting online. "Let's try to be a little nicer on the internet," she wrote, emphasizing that making remarks about someone's physical appearance, particularly a young person, was not appropriate behavior.
The 19-year-old member also touched on the broader issue of how young women in the entertainment industry face constant judgment. She expressed that while she is focused on pursuing her dreams and living her life in the public eye, the negative commentary can be hurtful, E! News reported.
Many fans supported her message, noting that as a teenager managing both her career and personal growth, she does not deserve such harsh treatment.
The criticism also highlighted ongoing concerns about styling choices for Megan compared to her bandmates. Several fans and online observers had previously noted that her outfits often appear inconsistent with the rest of the group, with some suggesting that styling decisions have not been flattering to her body type.
KATSEYE is set to perform at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The group is nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their single "Gabriela."
Despite the recent negativity surrounding her appearance, Megan has continued to remain professional and enthusiastic about the group's upcoming Grammy performance, which fans are eagerly anticipating, as per the Inquirer.
