Manon Bannerman Biography
Manon Bannerman — known mononymously as Manon — is a Swiss singer, model, and social media personality who rose to global fame as a member of KATSEYE, the international girl group formed through HYBE and Geffen Records’ 2023 reality competition Dream Academy. Born Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman on June 26, 2002, in Lucerne, Switzerland, she made history as the first Black artist signed to a HYBE label, becoming a symbol of diversity in the global pop industry.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman |
| Stage Name | Manon |
| Date of Birth | June 26, 2002 |
| Age | 24 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Lucerne, Switzerland |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Heritage | Swiss-Italian (mother), Ghanaian (father) |
| Profession | Singer, Model |
| Known For | Member of KATSEYE |
| Labels | HYBE UMG, Geffen Records |
| Languages | English, Swiss German, German |
| Years Active | 2020–present |
| Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Early Life and Education
Manon Bannerman was born on June 26, 2002, in Lucerne, Switzerland, to a Swiss-Italian mother and a Ghanaian father of Akan Ashanti heritage. She was raised primarily in Zurich, where she spent most of her childhood alongside one older sister.
Her full name reflects her multicultural identity: Meret (her Swiss given name), Manon (her middle name, which became her stage name), and Sarpong (her Ghanaian name). While spending a year as an exchange student in Los Angeles, classmates struggled to pronounce “Meret,” so she began going by her middle name — and it stuck professionally.
From the age of four, Bannerman knew she wanted to perform on stage. Her father nicknamed her “Beyoncé,” comparing her ambitions to the American superstar who remains her biggest idol. She attended the Atelierschule in Zurich, a school with an artistically oriented teaching style, where she focused on music and arts throughout her teenage years. At 15, she taught herself piano and ukulele and began writing her own songs. She has described being brought up on stage at a concert by German musician Cro as the pivotal moment that crystallized her ambitions.
She speaks English, Swiss German, and German fluently.
Career Journey
Social Media and Modeling (2020–2022)
Bannerman began posting on Instagram and TikTok in 2020, where her distinctive visual presence quickly drew attention. Between 2020 and 2022, she built a substantial social media audience while appearing in music videos for European artists, including Swiss singer Benjamin Amaru and German rapper Badchieff.
In parallel, she pursued modeling, collaborating with international brands such as Dermalogica, PacSun, Charles & Keith, Gymshark, and Hugo Boss — establishing herself in fashion and lifestyle circles before her music career began.
Discovery and Dream Academy (2022–2023)
In 2022, Bannerman was discovered on social media by a HYBE casting manager and invited to audition for a first-of-its-kind global girl group project — a partnership between HYBE (the company behind BTS) and Geffen Records. She competed in The Debut: Dream Academy, the 2023 survival reality show documenting the group’s formation, and finished in sixth place — securing her spot as one of the six members of KATSEYE. In doing so, she became the first Black artist ever signed to a HYBE label.
KATSEYE Debut and Rise (2024–present)
As part of KATSEYE, Manon officially debuted in 2024 with the single “Debut” and the EP SIS (Soft Is Strong), followed by tracks including “Touch” and “My Way.” The group quickly became one of the most talked-about new acts in global pop, blending K-pop training methodology with Western pop sensibilities.
In 2025, KATSEYE won Push Performance of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards, making Manon the first Swiss woman to receive an MTV VMA. That same year, a viral TikTok trend saw fans copying her distinctive eyebrow style — a look she has said was inspired by a friend. She also joined PinkPantheress on the Coachella stage, with video of the moment going viral.
In January 2026, Manon released a short film titled “Not Bad” on Instagram, co-created with close friends. In February 2026, reports indicated she announced a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health. Read more artist profiles in our celebrity biography section.
For more on music industry success stories, explore our celebrity net worth coverage.
Major Achievements
- First Black artist signed to a HYBE label — a historic milestone for diversity in the K-pop industry system
- Member of KATSEYE, one of 2024’s breakout global girl groups (HYBE × Geffen Records)
- MTV Video Music Award — Push Performance of the Year (2025) with KATSEYE; first Swiss woman to win an MTV VMA
- Coachella appearance alongside PinkPantheress (2025)
- Debut EP SIS (Soft Is Strong) and singles “Debut,” “Touch,” “My Way”
- Major brand collaborations (Hugo Boss, Gymshark, PacSun) before her music debut
Personal Life
Bannerman keeps her romantic life private and has not publicly disclosed relationship details. She is known to be close with her family, including her older sister, and has spoken about navigating her Swiss, Italian, and Ghanaian heritage as a “third culture kid.” Beyond music, she is known for sketching and doodling backstage as a stress reliever, and for her expressive improvisational acting skills.
Interesting Facts
- Three-name story: Her full name — Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman — carries Swiss, French, and Ghanaian roots in a single identity.
- Beyoncé prophecy: Her father called her “Beyoncé” as a child because of her stage ambitions; she now cites Beyoncé as her biggest idol.
- Self-taught musician: She learned piano and ukulele on her own at 15 and began songwriting in her Zurich bedroom.
- Eyebrow icon: A 2025 TikTok trend had thousands of fans recreating her signature eyebrow style.
- Multilingual: She is fluent in English, Swiss German, and German, reflecting her cross-cultural upbringing.
FAQs
Who is Manon Bannerman?
Manon Bannerman, known mononymously as Manon, is a Swiss singer and model best known as a member of the global girl group KATSEYE.
How old is Manon Bannerman?
Born June 26, 2002, she is 24 years old as of 2026.
What is Manon Bannerman’s real name?
Her full name is Meret Manon Sarpong Bannerman. She adopted “Manon” as her stage name during an exchange year in Los Angeles.
What group is Manon in?
She is a member of KATSEYE, the six-member global girl group formed through HYBE and Geffen Records’ Dream Academy (2023), debuting in 2024.
Why is Manon Bannerman famous?
She first gained attention through Instagram and TikTok, then rose to global fame with KATSEYE — notably as the first Black artist signed to a HYBE label.
Where is Manon Bannerman from?
She was born in Lucerne, Switzerland, and raised in Zurich. Her mother is Swiss-Italian and her father is Ghanaian.
What is Manon Bannerman’s net worth?
No verified net worth figure has been published for Manon Bannerman.
Did Manon Bannerman win an MTV award?
Yes — with KATSEYE, she won Push Performance of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, becoming the first Swiss woman to receive an MTV VMA.
Is Manon Bannerman on hiatus?
Reports from February 2026 indicated she announced a temporary hiatus from KATSEYE activities to focus on her health.
What languages does Manon Bannerman speak?
She speaks English, Swiss German, and German fluently.
Sources & Verification
- Wikipedia — Manon Bannerman (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manon_Bannerman)
- WION — KATSEYE’s Manon Bannerman at Coachella (wionews.com)
- Humans of Globe — “Who is Meret Manon Bannerman?” (humansofglobe.com)
Net worth figures for Manon Bannerman have not been publicly verified. Claims about her 2026 hiatus are based on entertainment press reports.