Lara Raj of KATSEYE has spoken out after AI-generated deepfake videos falsely depicting her using offensive language and a racial slur spread online. In a Weverse message posted in late September 2026, the singer called the content “disgusting” and said seeing it circulate “genuinely breaks my heart.” She noted that she usually avoids feeding online controversies, but this time the harm felt too direct to ignore.
Key Takeaways for Readers Searching KATSEYE News
This report is written for United States readers following live KATSEYE updates. Primary search topics covered here include Lara Raj, KATSEYE, AI deepfake, Weverse statement, artist safety online. The goal is clear answers: what happened, why it matters, and what comes next on the tour and release calendar.
- Who: KATSEYE (HYBE x Geffen global girl group) and the members named in this story
- What: KATSEYE's Lara Raj Calls Out Deepfake Videos: 'It Breaks My Heart'
- Why it matters: chart momentum, tour demand, member status, and brand growth in the U.S. market
- What to watch next: North American Wildworld Tour dates, streaming releases, and official member updates
Quick Answer
Looking for a short version? The headline above is the news. The sections below add verified context, fan reaction signals, and industry impact so you do not need a second search.
Lara Raj deepfake Weverse statement. Photo via X / official coverage — hosted on Vervado CDN.
Lara AI deepfake response. Photo via X / official coverage — hosted on Vervado CDN.
Lara not made of steel message. Photo via X / official coverage — hosted on Vervado CDN.
Lara Weverse full message. Photo via X / official coverage — hosted on Vervado CDN.
Lara kindness statement. Photo via X / official coverage — hosted on Vervado CDN.
Lara addresses the AI deep fake videos of her that have been circulating around
— KATSEYE News (@NewsKatseye) September 23, 2026
KATSEYE’s Lara addresses the recent AI deepfake via weverse DM
— KATSEYE B✶SE (@KATSEYEBASE) September 23, 2026
The videos used her likeness and voice to invent a narrative she never spoke. They moved quickly across platforms before being removed from major sites. For a 20-year-old artist already navigating a high-speed public career, the episode is a clear example of how AI tools can turn a face into a weapon without consent.
What Lara Said
“I can’t believe such horrible people exist in this world to even think of creating something like this, let alone do it, and fabricate a narrative of me or ANYONE saying such hurtful words,” she wrote. She reminded fans that the people behind these images are still human: “People often forget we are human beings with feelings, in our teens and early 20s and are not made of steel. Doing things like this can truly be so harmful.”
That framing — vulnerability instead of only denial — is what gave the statement weight. It was not a corporate-sounding takedown. It was a young woman saying the technology hurts.
Why Deepfakes Hit Young Female Artists Hard
AI deepfakes targeting idols and public women are no longer rare. The barrier to creating convincing fake audio and video has dropped. The cost of sharing is almost zero. The emotional and reputational cost lands on the person whose face was used. Lara’s message put that imbalance in plain language. EYEKONS responded by urging others to report rather than repost, and some called on HYBE and Geffen to pursue legal options. As of the latest public reports, no detailed label statement has been widely issued.
How This Fits the Current KATSEYE Moment
The deepfake episode landed while four members were carrying the Wildworld Tour and while Sophia and Manon remained on hiatus. It added another layer of stress to a year already defined by commercial success and personal absence. Lara’s decision to speak did not resolve the wider problem of AI abuse. It did draw a boundary in public and gave fans a clear instruction: do not amplify the harm.
Watch: THE BEAUTIFUL CHAOS TOUR Diaries: Lara | KATSEYE
Where can U.S. fans follow official KATSEYE updates?
Start with the official KATSEYE site and verified social channels, then cross-check major outlets such as Billboard and local tour promoters for ticket and broadcast details.
Is this story updated for U.S. time zones?
Yes. Dates and broadcast windows in this article are framed for American readers (ET/PT where relevant).
More KATSEYE Coverage on Vervado
Related Sources
Photo via X — original post credit for SEO and attribution
Related KATSEYE Coverage
- KATSEYE’s Lara Raj Speaks Out on ‘Disgusting’ AI Deepfake: ‘We Are Not Made of Steel’
- Lara Raj’s Deepfake Warning Is Bigger Than One Video — It’s About What Young Female Artists Now Face
- Lara Raj Deepfake Video 2026: KATSEYE Member Speaks Out on AI Harm
Official Sources & Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the deepfake videos show?
They falsely depicted Lara Raj using offensive language and a racial slur using AI-generated likeness and voice.
How did Lara respond?
She posted on Weverse calling the content disgusting and stressing that young artists are not made of steel.
Were the videos removed?
Yes. They were taken down from major platforms after spreading online.
Lara did not have to address the videos. She chose to. The part that stays is not only the denial of the fake narrative. It is the reminder that the person on the other side of the screen is still in her early twenties and still has to live with what strangers invent.
Looking Ahead
The next few weeks will test whether the current momentum on stage and on streaming can coexist with the open questions about the full lineup. North America opens in Miami on October 13. The WILD HEARTS documentary arrives on Disney+ and Hulu on October 16. Those two dates will shape the public conversation whether or not Sophia or Manon appear. For EYEKONS, the practical job remains the same: support the work that is happening, refuse harmful rumor cycles, and leave space for the members who are not yet back. That balance is harder than a simple cheer, and it is the adult version of being a fan in a year this complicated.
