Carla Guevara Laforteza on being a proud mom to KATSEYE's Sophia
Theater, film, and TV actress Carla Guevara Laforteza cannot be any prouder with her only daughter, Sophia, the lead vocalist of the global girl group KATSEYE.
The six-member all-girl group based in Los Angeles was formed in 2023 through The Debut: Dream Academy, a reality survival show under Hybe and Geffen Records. They have since gone viral, with hits like Gnarly entering the Billboard Hot 100 and Gabriela earning a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 68th Grammy Awards.
Proud mom
“I don’t want to milk it too much,” said Carla. “But if I’m asked about it, you can say I’m proud. But I don’t brag about it. Although when I’m being interviewed, I would say, ‘Hi, I’m the mom of Sophia of KATSEYE.’"
Sophia’s flair for performing clearly runs in the blood. While Carla’s roots are firmly planted in musical theater, the actress and stage veteran said her only daughter inherited a mix of talents from both sides of the family.
“I always say this: Sophia got my looks, but the way she sings, that’s very Laforteza,” Carla shared. “She got it from her dad’s side. Kasi Broadway [style] ako. Her dad’s side is pop and gospel. Ganu’n ang mga boses nila. Parang ‘yung mga kumukulot and does riffs. Even the way she dances, it’s very Laforteza. Nakuha niya talaga ‘yon.
Carla and Sophia are also both Capricorns, which results in the two bickering. "Pareho kami ng ugali. Her dad always stays in the middle," the mother said.
She and her husband, chef Godfrey Laforteza, share three kids: 25-year-old Bailey, their only daughter Sophia, and their youngest Oreo, who Carla quipped is going to be a "gangster."
Despite their busy schedules, Carla makes it a point to check on her daughter twice a day. “Makulit kami ng tatay niya. In the morning, her dad would say, ‘Gising na ang anak mo. Naka online na siya.’ Then we would call.”
She shared that what people see from KATSEYE is just a glimpse of their hard work.
"They had to go through blood, sweat, tears, pain—physical feelings and emotions. She has been in the US since 2021 when she started training. She’s very focused on school, more importantly.”
Beyond their similar looks, Carla described Sophia as her "clone."
“I know how she thinks. She has a very good head on her shoulders. She’s like 300% much improved than me in singing, dancing, taking care of everything.”
The theater actress is also a supportive mom to whatever paths their kids will take.
“My advice to my children, whatever you’re doing, make sure you’re happy, so that you will succeed and go a long way with it,” Carla said. “Sophia is happy. She has a lot of male friends. She has a best friend, Leon Barreto, the son of Marjorie Barretto. Sophia has her friends who keep her feet on the ground."
“I’m super proud of all my children. Technically, I have six because I have three showbiz children whom I managed.” She handles the careers of David Ezra, Jeff Go, and Giob Rodriguez.
Bagging 'Bagets The Musical'
Carla became a mom at the peak of her career, and she's been with her husband Godfrey for 25 years now.
“My career did not go to waste. I wanted a family. I was really in love. I think I’ve already accomplished what I really wanted to accomplish at that time. So it was okay for me to fall in love so much more."
“I advise Sophia that when she falls in love, make sure that the guy understands her job and does not interfere with her career, but even supports it. I told her that she will find a good guy if she prays for one.
A notable theater actress, Carla has appeared in various musicals like Miss Saigon in London, as well as Saturday Night Fever, Avenue Q, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in Singapore and Malaysia.
After doing Into the Woods earlier in the year with Lea Salonga, Carla joined the cast of Bagets the Musical, which will be staged at Newport Performing Arts Theater starting January 23 to March 2026.
“The production messaged me and asked if I wanted to become part of the show,” Carla shared. “They weren’t sure yet what role to give me. They made me read for the part of Ivy, the cougar neighbor. I also read for the other roles of the different moms, and Direk Maribel (Legarda) just assigned what fit us the most."
In the upcoming musical, she plays Virgie, boy-next-door Adie's mother. Adie, originally played by Aga Muhlach, will be played by his son, Andres Muhlach, and Mico Hendrix Chua in the 2026 adaptation.
"Aga is a good friend of mine... Mico [looks] like Bailey, my eldest," she shared.
In addition to Andres and Mico, the lead cast includes Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf as Topee, Noel Comia, Jr. and Tomas Rodriguez as Gilbert, Milo Cruz and Migo Valid as Tonton, and Ethan David and KD Estrada as Arnel.
At the helm of Bagets the Musical is Maribel Legarda, with writer Jmee Katanyag, musical director Vince Lim, and choreographer JM Cabling.
Bagets the Musical is a joint production of VIVA Communications Inc., The Philippine STAR, and Newport World Resorts, guided by the creative vision of the Philippine Educational Theater Association.
Tickets are now on sale via TicketWorld and Ticket2Me.