Dannyka Manangan

Leon Barretto pens message to KATSEYE's Sophia Laforteza as she debuts at the Grammy Awards: 'so proud of you'

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>KATSEYE — composed of multi-national artists Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia, and Yoonchae — was among the most anticipated artists at the 68th Grammy Awards. For KATSEYE’s leader and Filipino pride Sophia Laforteza, their debut on the Grammys stage this year carried even more weight as she represented Filipino talent – and it did not go unnoticed by those closest to her. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/1/9/katseye-s-sophia-laforteza-and-leon-barretto-vacation-at-hong-kong-disneyland-with-their-families-1628"><strong>READ: KATSEYE&#x27;s Sophia Laforteza and Leon Barretto vacation at Hong Kong Disneyland with their families</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>On February 2, Leon Barretto took to his Instagram Stories to express his pride in Sophia as KATSEYE earned two Grammy nominations and delivered a standout performance. Leon reposted an official Instagram post from the Grammys and added a message that reflected shared memories and unwavering support. </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770016808653Leon&#x27;s Grammy message.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“So proud of you, @sophia_laforteza. seeing a dream you’ve held onto for so long finally come to life is truly inspiring. grateful to witness this journey of yours. ❤️,” he wrote in the caption. </p><div><br/></div><p>He also reposted the red-carpet moment of KATSEYE, shared by MTV.  </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770016821536KATSEYE red carpet.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>KATSEYE received two nominations at this year’s Grammys: Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their song “Gabriela.” In the Best New Artist category, the group was nominated alongside Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Alex Warren, and Lola Young, with Olivia emerging as the winner. For Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, KATSEYE competed with Rosé &amp; Bruno Mars for “APT,” Huntr/x for “Golden,” SZA with Kendrick Lamar for “30 For 30,” and eventual winners Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for “Defying Gravity.” </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/1/1/katseye-members-pen-heartwarming-messages-for-sophia-laforteza-as-she-turns-23-1651"><strong>READ: KATSEYE members pen heartwarming messages for Sophia Laforteza as she turns 23</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUPNU4lF-jB/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A19434509.399999976%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="612" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Although the multi-national girl group did not take home a Grammy, KATSEYE still left a strong impression on audiences worldwide. The girls proved their global talent during the Best New Artist segment with an amped-up performance of “Gnarly,” featuring revised lyrics and an extended dance break. For the Grammy stage, the group replaced the song’s Tesla reference with “robotics” and delivered a tightly executed synchronized dance routine. </p><div><br/></div><p>Leon’s message resonated deeply with fans, especially as his friendship with Sophia recently being in the public eye. Earlier this year, the two made headlines after spending a vacation together at Hong Kong Disneyland with their respective families. Leon shared photos from the trip on Instagram, showing moments with his family and candid shots of him and Sophia, including one where he was wrapping his arms around her shoulders as she hugged Lotso bear stuffed toy. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTM015rkS-Q/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A19434529.100000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="588" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>“starting the year in the happiest place on earth with the people I love most 🫀,” Leon wrote in the caption. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/12/27/what-did-katseye-s-sophia-discover-about-herself-while-on-tour-1708"><strong>READ: What did KATSEYE&#x27;s Sophia discover about herself while on tour?</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Leon was also present during Sophia’s 23rd birthday celebration last December. In a video shared by Sophia’s mother, Carla, he was seen standing beside Sophia as she blew out her birthday candles. Leon later marked the occasion on his Instagram Stories, greeting her warmly. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DS6lxa-kS6U/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A19434550.100000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="558" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>“happiest birthday to my bestest friend 🧸🫀,” he wrote at the time. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/12/12/katseye-is-tiktok-s-top-global-artist-of-the-year-1831"><strong>READ: KATSEYE is TikTok&#x27;s Top Global Artist of the Year</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Known to be close friends, Leon and Sophia frequently spend time together whenever the KATSEYE leader is in the Philippines. They often share playful photos on social media and post videos on TikTok, prompting fans to speculate about the nature of their relationship. As of writing, neither Leon nor Sophia has confirmed the speculations.</p>

<p>With KATSEYE making their much-anticipated Grammy Awards debut, Leon Barretto marks the milestone by sharing his message to the group’s leader and Filipino pride, Sophia Laforteza.</p>

With KATSEYE making their much-anticipated Grammy Awards debut, Leon Barretto marks the milestone by sharing his message to the group’s leader and Filipino pride, Sophia Laforteza.