After a concussion forced Katseye to postpone three US concerts, the girl group member returned to the stage wearing dark sunglasses, performing from a chair and then on her feet. Fans question whether the singer should be performing while recovering.
Katseye's Megan Skiendiel performs seated, then dances on stage while recovering from a concussion. (Photo: Instagram/@_katseye__)
Katseye's Megan Skiendiel performs seated, then dances on stage while recovering from a concussion. (Photo: Instagram/@_katseye__)
There's "the show must go on", and then there's Katseye's Megan Skiendiel performing on stage while still recovering from a concussion.
The 20-year-old singer has sparked concern among fans after returning to the stage during the girl group's Wildworld Tour in the United States, first performing while seated on a chair on Tuesday (Nov 10), before joining her bandmates in their choreography the following night.
Her return to the stage came just days after she revealed on Instagram Stories on Nov 5 that she had suffered a concussion, which was revealed to be the reason behind the postponement of three concerts in Detroit, Chicago, and Minneapolis on Nov 3, 5 and 7, respectively. The Detroit show cancellation was announced 30 minutes before the concert was set to begin.
"I'm doing everything I possibly can to recover from it so I can be on stage for you all again," she wrote on Instagram, adding that medical professionals had strongly advised her to take time to recover. She did not disclose how she sustained the injury.
On Nov 9, Skiendiel gave fans another update through the fan community on Weverse, explaining that she would participate in the Austin show with reduced choreography, less intense movement and breaks when necessary, following her doctors' recommendations. She also said she would need another medical assessment before returning to performances without restrictions.
On Tuesday, during Katseye's concert at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, Skiendiel was seen wearing dark sunglasses and sitting on a chair at the side of the stage, singing her parts while the other three performing members – Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj and Yoonchae Jeung – danced.
According to Billboard, Skiendiel told the audience that she was happy to be back on stage and thanked fans for their support.
On Wednesday, Skiendiel was back on her feet.
Videos from Katseye's concert in Dallas, Texas, showed her dancing alongside her bandmates during songs including Pinky Up and Animal, while still wearing the dark sunglasses she had worn in Austin.
Megan Skiendiel's apology to fans on her Instagram Stories on Nov 5. (Photo: Instagram/@meganskiendiel)
FANS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER MEGAN SKIENDIEL'S HEALTH
A few fans welcomed Skiendiel's return to the stage, commenting, "Well, at least she's showing up – the show must go on, after all."
Others questioned whether she should be performing so soon after suffering a concussion and expressed concern about the physical demands of Katseye's choreography, as well as the bright lights and loud music at the concerts.
One fan commented: "It's insane that they're making her perform on stage with flashing strobe lights and loud music and screaming fans. She should be resting."
Another wrote: "I don't know anything about Katseye but making a concussed member sit on stage and 'perform' is capitalism at its finest."
Another user also pointed out the "empty choreography as the members interact with air where Manon and Sophia are supposed to be", how "all the girls look exhausted" and "even Yoonchae is suffering; she's wearing knee braces while dancing".
Other fans directed their criticism towards Katseye's management and their labels Hybe and Geffen Records, questioning whether the group's demanding touring schedule was placing too much pressure on its members.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people recovering from a concussion should gradually resume physical and mental activities, taking care not to worsen their symptoms. Bright lights and loud noises can also aggravate concussion symptoms in some people, although recovery varies between individuals.