Nothing says star power quite like a mother-daughter duo in music and entertainment—Carla Guevara-Laforteza and Sophia Laforteza
A talent for music can definitely be a family affair, where artistic propensity is often passed down from great actors, musicians, or entertainers to their children. This is the case for triple-threat leading woman and stage performer Carla Guevara-Laforteza and her daughter, KATSEYE member-slash-leader Sophia Laforteza. But the mother reveals to MEGA Entertainment she had no idea her daughter would become the rising superstar she is today.
RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Abigail Adriano Connects with Her Filipino Heritage for Miss Saigon
To Each Their Own Spotlights
A distinguished and multi-awarded artist, Carla Guevara-Laforteza is one of the Philippines’ most formidable and versatile theater performers. Some of her most notable roles in the worldwide musical theater scene are Kim and Gigi in Miss Saigon in London, and the Club singer and Flo Manero for the Saturday Night Fever Asian tour. Over her illustrious career, her body of work also includes remarkable performances in local theater: Edith and Rose in the new Ben&Ben Musical, One More Chance, Joy in Ang Huling El Bimbo, for which she received the 2019 LEAF Award for Most Outstanding Actress in a Musical, and Kapitana Mary Jane in Rak of Aegis, for which she was awarded the GEMS Award for Best Featured Artist. Last July, Carla also celebrated her 30th year in the industry with a sold-out show for a concert series produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Carla Guevara-Laforteza has forged her own path in the entertainment and music industry. And just with her debut in June, her daughter Sophia Laforteza is doing the same.
Sophia is the leader of KATSEYE, a sextet formed through the reality show Dream Academy, a collaboration derived between South Korean record label HYBE and American imprint Geffen Records. The six-piece’s multiculturalism and diversity in perspective shape their sound and style, and redefine the term “global girl group,” consisting of members Manon (Switzerland/Italy/Ghana), Lara (USA/India), Daniela (USA/Venezuela/Cuba), Megan (USA/China/Singapore), Yoonchae (South Korea), and Sophia (Philippines). Most recently, KATSEYE just finished their Asia tour, having landed in Korea, Philippines, and Japan—making their way into stardom with their music and talent.
That said, Carla reveals to MEGA that she did not know Sophia was going to veer into a career path in music and entertainment as well. However, the actress stresses she was not surprised. “The way I brought my children up is if you want it, go get it yourself and find your own way,” she tells MEGA Entertainment. “So, with Sophia going into Dream Academy, I trusted her maturity and decisions regardless if I knew or not. I’ve always dreamed for her to be the best version of herself, and with my daughter, it didn’t matter what career she got into because I knew she would excel. She’s a yes-girl; even if she doesn’t know how to do it, she’ll figure it out.”
Although this duo is currently conquering music, Carla stresses to MEGA Entertainment that they’re doing so in their own right, in their own realms. “My dream was just to perform and sing,” she declares. “Whether there’s an audience or not, I just want to perform no matter what platform—TV, stage, fiesta. But with Sophia, her dream is to become a superstar, and that life is a public one. I’m able to walk around the mall, but people aren’t going to scream when they see me like they do with her,” she laughs. “And I think she enjoys that; she enjoys being an inspiration to people. She enjoys being an idol.”
Sophia Breaking into Stardom on Her Own
Performing arts is a field that is equal parts challenging, vulnerable, creative, and exciting. This is what Sophia saw from watching her mother command the stage—and she wanted to be in it, too. Though her daughter was definitely inspired by her, Carla credits Sophia’s innate talent: “She wouldn’t be in this field without it [her talent]; she would join theater workshops and musicals in her school. It’s in her already, and she didn’t need my advice,” she reveals to MEGA Entertainment. “Sophia saw me as an example. She knew what to do because she watches; she sees me practicing and rehearsing my lines and my process at home, and she’s experienced it with me. So she didn’t need to ask me how to do stuff—she just knew because she was watching me.”
Sophia aimed to reach for the stars and become a star through Dream Academy. The multinational outfit KATSEYE was a product of a collaboration that proved it could be a winning formula for years to come, as chronicled in the August-released Netflix show Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE.
In this reality competition, more than 20 young hopefuls were selected from over 120,000 international applications to undertake an intensive training and development program in Los Angeles. The girls navigate an elite athlete-level of physical conditioning, intense mental pressure, and the uncertainty of if their efforts will be rewarded with a spot in the group or if they will be sent home the following day. All of this is done in a culture that is not their own, thousands of miles from their primary support systems.
“Sophia has done everything to get to where she is,” Carla says. “And she went into it with a mindset not competing with anybody, but competing with herself. That’s why she has so much love and care for the girls.”
KATSEYE’s ascent to global stardom began with a polished, magnetic, and pop-centric debut EP SIS (Soft Is Strong).
Not Stage, But Supportive Moms
There’s KATSEYE, and then there’s the KATSEYE Moms. Just recently, both Megan and Lara’s mothers joined the girls for their stop in Manila. Apparently, according to Carla, wherever KATSEYE goes, the moms, or at least one, will follow. This is the pact of the “KATSEYE Mamas.”
The girls’ lives were upended the moment their name was called as part of the official lineup for KATSEYE. As the sextet’s ages range from only 17-22, being thrust into this world of stardom isn’t easy or usual. Carla agrees, saying, “Sophia went from a student to a superstar. She wasn’t a child star. Some of the other girls are the same; it’s the first time they’re doing it and they’re so young. And having the security of your mom being there—that’s important.”
However, the artist emphasizes that the KATSEYE Mamas are not stage moms: “Hindi kami nangingialam because we don’t want to and we’re not allowed to—they have their own management and team. We are just there as their number one cheerleaders and fans, literally their support system,” Carla declares. “If they want coffee or dessert or extra food or medicine, that’s what we’re there for. We’re cheering them on.”
When KATSEYE landed in the Philippines, it was an emotional homecoming for Sophia and a reunion with her family. But Carla tells MEGA Entertainment that two days wasn’t enough time with her daughter. “I hope they’ll be given more time next time they’re here,” she says. “I’m just super proud of them.”
KATSEYE held their first fan showcase at Market! Market! last September 18, where approximately 9,000 people showed up. As a three-month-old group with a twelve-minute discography, this number almost seems impossible—but KATSEYE did it. “We fangirled also—we were all thinking, ‘Anak ko ba talaga ‘yan? I can’t believe that’s my child,’” Carla describes to MEGA Entertainment. “It’s surreal. There was also footage of me crying; I could hear all the screams. The moms and I were talking that the girls were well-received in all three countries in this Asian tour. There were 9,000 people, and it wasn’t even a concert yet.”
During the press conference, Sophia told members of the press that KATSEYE would be gathering at the Lafortezas’ home for a Filipino feast put together by her mother. “Sophia has been cooking for the girls,” Carla shares. “But for them to experience a fiesta here was something we wanted to do. My sister-in-law and her mother—Maja Laforteza and Chef Laura Martinez of Passion Cooks—helped me cook the Filipino fiesta spread for KATSEYE.”
On the night of the showcase, Carla recounts to MEGA Entertainment that it was a surprise for the girl group to come over again—they wanted another Filipino feast. “I didn’t prepare anything!” the performer exclaims. “So I had to call one of my closest friends, Elliza Aurelio of Classic Chef, and I told her she has to help me, the KATSEYE girls are coming over and you have to make tinola, chicken inasal, pancit, adobo, and balut. She put everything together for me. Akala ko mag-pi-pizza lang kami, but Sophia said, ‘I want halo-halo again, I want balut again.’”
On Their Timings and Dreams
If there’s anything Carla Guevera-Laforteza is excited about, it’s the three upcoming shows on her plate for the first quarter of 2025. “This is a good problem to have—to have all these projects,” she laughs. “As for my daughter, Sophia is going to be here for a long time and I’m excited for that. This is just the beginning. Even if I’m at the peak of my career, malapit na akong mag-retire, and of course I want to rest also with my husband. Sophia is just starting. The timing is perfect, because I can ride the wave with her and be there for her when she’s at the top and I’m already retired—at least she’ll have 100% support from my husband and I.”
Photos and Featured Image: CARLA GUEVARA-LAFORTEZA, KATSEYE, SYLVIA LEE, MYRA HO, VIA ANTONIO (via Instagram)
