KATSEYE’s Lara has been navigating racism, harassment, and misinformation ever since her group debuted, but 2025 has sadly marked a more difficult year for the popstar. Back in January 2025, the Indian-American artist was falsely reported to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by an anonymous caller. The tip accused Lara of living and working in the United States without legal authorization, even calling her an “illegal alien” in Los Angeles.
However, the entire claim collapsed because Lara is a United States citizen, but the moment sparked discussions about harassment and racial profiling within fandom spaces. Fast forward to November 12, 2025, and KATSEYE has opened up about these racist gestures in a BBC interview. The group shared that they have received thousands of death threats since their debut, creating a hostile environment that goes far beyond typical online negativity. Then, Lara admitted that the false ICE report was just one example of the abuse aimed at her.
“Someone even filed a false report to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), claiming I was living and working illegally in the country.”
The sexism directed at the group has added another layer of exhaustion. Lara explained that people judge their bodies, vocals, and dance skills as if they’re scoring contestants rather than speaking about real human beings. Despite the actions of racist people and online bullies, KATSEYE is stil rising. The girl group secured two Grammy nominations for the 2025 ceremony, including Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Even in the face of hostility, KATSEYE continues to shine.
