Source : the age
Lauren Bennett, a member of girl band G.R.L. who featured on LMFAO’s 2011 smash hit Party Rock Anthem, has died. She was 37.
The news was announced via the band’s Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday morning (AEST).
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren,” the statement, signed off by “GRLs” Em, Tash and P (Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula van Oppen), read.
“Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us. We will forever cherish the love, laughter, and countless memories she gave us. Her beautiful spirit touched so many lives, and she will be deeply missed and forever loved.
“Rest peacefully, sweet Lauren. You will always be in our hearts.”
No cause of death was given, however USA Today reported that she died in England and an inquest into her death is slated for October.
Bennett is survived by her six-year-old daughter, Harlow, whom she shared with Footloose actor Kenny Wormald.
A UK-born singer, Bennett began her music career performing in local talent contests and pubs before joining the X Factor as a teenager, according to The Guardian.
Bennett later moved to Los Angeles at 17 after joining a girl group called Paradiso Girls, formed by dancer and choreographer Robin Antin, who also created the Pussy Cat Dolls. In 2009, the group released hit single Patron Tequila, featuring Lil Jon and Eve.
She later featured on LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem – which became an instant global hit – before joining the five-piece band G.R.L., also formed by Antin.
The band featured on Pitbull’s 2014 tune Wild Wild Love, and their song Ugly Heart peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart that year.
Soon after the release of Ugly Heart, the band announced the sudden death of one of its members, 25-year-old Simone Battle. The band then released the single Lighthouse to honour Battle and collaborated with a mental health charity.
“There’s a lot of young people who are taking their own lives, and the music industry is so influential on youth… Hopefully, for us, we would love to help at least one person,” Bennett told Billboard at the time.
The group disbanded in 2015, nine months after Battle’s death, but continued to do occasional live performances and briefly reunited as a four-piece in 2020, according to The Guardian.
Lifeline: 13 11 14; Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Kayla Olaya is a culture reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
