India, July 31 -- Girl group KATSEYE member Sophia Laforteza has come under scrutiny online after missing the group's performance at the Hinterland Music Festival in Iowa, US, citing illness, only for photos of her on California's Catalina Island to surface shortly afterwards.

On Tuesday, KATSEYE announced that Sophia would be absent from the group's headlining set at the festival, stating that she was "resting and focusing on her recovery" after falling ill. The remaining members - Daniela, Lara, Megan and Yoonchae - performed as scheduled.

Soon after the announcement, photos purportedly showing Sophia on Catalina Island began circulating on social media. The images fuelled speculation among fans, with some claiming she was vacationing...