With Forgotten Island‘s central story of friendship and themes inspired by Philippines mythology, Filipino-American singer Sophia Laforteza of the global girl group KATSEYE was a fitting pick to make music for the DreamWorks Animation film.
In a new digital bonus feature debuting exclusively on Billboard, Sophia and her collaborators — including composer Nathan Matthew David, producer Mike Elizondo and writers/directors Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado — take viewers inside the studio to discuss the making of her cover of INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart” for the film, which arrives on digital platforms Tuesday (Oct. 27) with more than 60 minutes of bonus content.
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“‘Never Tear Us Apart’ is really kind of the journey of this movie and of the girls’ friendship – their anthem, in a way,” Crawford says of lead besties Raissa and Jo (voiced by singer/songwriter H.E.R.).
“For Sophia and Mike and Nathan to make it an interpretation that stands on its own is an incredible accomplishment,” Mercado adds of reinterpreting the 1988 top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hit for INXS.
For David, Sophia immediately impressed him in the studio. “Right from the beginning of her vocal session, we knew it was going to be really special. I think she just sang the hell out of this song.”
Sophia’s personal connection to the film as a Filipino American was what drove home the musical connection. “Hearing her talk about how she really has the story in her DNA, in her soul — what she brought to this, I can’t imagine anyone else,” Crawford says.
That story was Sophia’s north star as she navigated making “Never Tear Us Apart” her own. “As a performer, my strength is, if you tell me what the story is, I’ll tell it the best way that I can,” she says in the bonus feature. “I got to watch the scene while singing it, and I really tried to take every ounce of knowledge I knew just growing up in this world. This is one of the most beautiful things I think I’ll ever do.”
Watch the full bonus feature here:
Sophia is currently on hiatus from KATSEYE, but HYBE announced earlier this month that she plans to return to group activities in January 2027. She stepped back from the group in August to focus on her mental health, meaning she’ll miss the full Wildworld Tour, which wraps up at the end of November after a planned 31 arena shows across Europe and North America.
Forgotten Island arrived in theaters on Sept. 25, is now available on digital platforms, and will arrive in 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on Dec. 1 via Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The Forgotten Island soundtrack also includes music by H.E.R., BINI, SB19, Lea Salonga and more.
Watch a trailer for the digital release below: