KATSEYE Gets Schooled! The Pop Stars Teach 3rd Graders to Dance in “Celebrity Substitute”

**KATSEYE Inspires Young Performers in Queens Classroom**

In a delightful episode of *Celebrity Substitute*, released on August 11, global girl group KATSEYE brought their infectious energy to a classroom in Astoria, Queens. Through choreography and creativity, they empowered a group of third graders to discover their inner pop stars, all while producing a spirited music video for their latest single, “Animal.”

The members of KATSEYE — Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung — took to P.S. 17, where they led the enthusiastic young students in learning the dynamic steps of their song. Transforming the school cafeteria into a vibrant music video set, the group aimed to impart not just dance moves, but valuable lessons in confidence and teamwork.

This visit came during a challenging time for KATSEYE, as two of their six members are currently on temporary hiatus. Manon Bannerman stepped away in February for health reasons, and Laforteza recently announced her own break, emphasising the importance of mental wellness. Although fellow member Megan Skiendiel was unable to join due to illness, she sent the students a heartfelt video message, encouraging them to fully embrace their roles as budding pop stars.

Before KATSEYE could impart their expertise, the third graders offered a few lessons of their own. The pop stars found themselves learning contemporary slang from the Gen Alpha generation, with terms like “skibidi” and “sigma” entering their vocabulary. This exchange added to the light-hearted atmosphere as the kids engaged with their idols, with one enthusiastic student even asking for the group’s phone number to start a group chat.

The visit created a buzz of excitement among the students, especially for one young admirer, Mila, who declared her undying support for KATSEYE. The group reciprocated this enthusiasm, sharing their own childhood experiences and the mischief they caused during their school days, underscoring their relatable nature.

Throughout the session, KATSEYE focused on the principles of teamwork, something essential in collaborative performing. They opened up about their collective journey since forming through the Dream Academy competition, highlighting the importance of communication within a group dynamic. The members discussed the challenges of ensuring everyone is on the same page, with Laforteza stating, “When one person’s kind of left in the dark, that’s when it gets hard.”

Furthermore, the group shared insights on coping with nerves before performing, revealing their strategy of offering each other support backstage. “When we first started, we’d get nervous a lot,” Raj admitted, indicating that mutual encouragement plays a significant part in their performances.

As the classroom session progressed, KATSEYE equipped the children with choreography for “Animal,” allowing them to choose their own animal personas for the performance. This step fostered creativity, leading students to embody various creatures like lions, cats, and even capybaras, before putting their unique flair into the dance.

Central to KATSEYE’s teaching was the message of self-acceptance and the importance of maintaining composure even in the face of mistakes. Raj reassured the students that forgetting a dance move is perfectly normal, encouraging them to “hide it with your face,” while Laforteza noted, “Even smiling shows so much confidence.”

As the students practiced, the cafeteria was transformed into a vivid stage for their music video shoot, complete with colourful decor and props. KATSEYE encouraged them to express their personalities, resulting in lots of lively dancing and camera-ready poses. A memorable moment, however, ensued when the kids were invited to let loose in a food fight, which not only elicited laughter but also injected a real sense of fun into the proceedings.

As the video shoot came to a close, KATSEYE expressed their admiration for the students’ performances. “Guys, you’re killing it,” remarked host Julian Shapiro-Barnum, encapsulating the excitement of the day.

As KATSEYE prepares for their own upcoming events, including the release of their EP *WILD* and the international start of The WILD WORLD Tour in September 2026, this heartwarming encounter in Queens serves as a reminder of the power of creativity, connection, and confidence. KATSEYE continues to shine not only in the music industry but also in inspiring the next generation of performers.