Inside KATSEYE on ‘Tonight Show’: Their Wild ‘Animal’ TV Debut, Thanking Fans for ‘Support’ During Sophia & Manon Hiatus (Exclusive Photos)

KATSEYE are just about to unleash their new album Wild on Friday, but first, the global girl group dropped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday (Aug. 12) to make their late-night performance debut — and Billboard was inside Studio 6B for their latest visit.

We were also in the building when KATSEYE visited Fallon for their first sit-down back in February, but this time, they took the stage for the television performance debut of their latest single “Animal,” the Ed Sheeran-co-written hit that debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard Global 200. “The spirit of Ed is alive in ‘Animal,’” Lara said during Wednesday’s chat.

Of course, when KATSEYE first visited the late-night show earlier this year, it was as a six-piece group; but since that first appearance, two members — Manon in February and Sophia just last week — have taken hiatuses from group activities to focus on their mental health. The remaining quartet (Lara, Daniela, Yoonchae and Megan) expressed their love for their groupmates when Fallon asked about the absent members, with Lara adding that they were grateful to their EYEKONS fanbase who “continue to support us” amid the shifting lineup.

Even before their interview and performance, KATSEYE popped up during Fallon’s monologue to fill in for various members of the Tonight Show crew: Yoonchae took Black Thought’s spot with house band The Roots; Megan was in announcer Steve Higgins’ place at his podium; Lara stepped in for cameraman Hank; and lastly Daniela took Jimmy’s place at center stage to close out the bit.

Also on Wednesday’s show: Matthew McConaughey is the night’s other guest, and he even pops out do a bluegrass cover of Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” the massive 17-week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash, with Fallon joining in on harmonies and struming a washboard.

Tune in to catch KATSEYE on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT tonight on NBC and streaming next day on Peacock.