GRL and LMFAO star Lauren Bennett dead at 37 as bandmates pay emotional tribute
Former girl group star and LMFAO collaborator Lauren Bennett has died at the age of 37.
Bennett was known for his feature on 2011’s chart-topping Party Rock Anthem and his time in the band GRL.
Her former bandmates confirmed her death on Monday with a heartbreaking statement: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren.
‘We are heartbroken and cannot express how much he means to us. We will forever cherish the love, laughter, and countless memories he gave us.
‘His beautiful spirit touched so many lives and he will be deeply missed and loved forever.
‘Rest in peace sweet Lauren. You will always be in our hearts. Your GRLS, Em, Tash and P.’
Former girl group star and LMFAO collaborator Lauren Bennett dies at 37 – pic 2014
Bennett was known for her feature spot on the chart-topping Party Rock Anthem in 2011 – photo taken with LMFAO’s Redfoo and Skyblu in 2011
The death comes 12 years after Bennett’s GRL bandmate Simone Battle (pictured center in 2013) died by suicide aged 25 – Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula Van Oppen also pictured
The death comes 12 years after Bennett’s GRL bandmate Simone Battle died by suicide at the age of 25.
Created as the reincarnation of the Pussycat Dolls and founded by Robin Antin, the group also consisted of Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula Van Oppen.
Bennett is survived by a six-year-old daughter, Harlow, whom she shares with dancer and Footloose actor Kenny Wormald.
The British singer first broke into the music industry with the short-lived girl group The Paradiso Girls, which featured members from different countries.
The group included Chelsea Korka from the USA, Aria Crescendo from France, Shar Mae Amor from the Philippines and Bennett and Kelly Beckett from England.
They released their first single, Patron Tequila, featuring Lil Jon and Eve, in 2009, but later disbanded in 2010.
He had his biggest hit in 2011 with Party Rock Anthem, which stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts for six weeks.
He later became the first member of Antin’s newest group, later known as GRL.
Her former bandmates confirmed her death on Monday with a heartbreaking statement that read: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren.’
Bennett is survived by a six-year-old daughter, Harlow, whom she shares with dancer and Footloose actor Kenny Wormald.
Bennett is pictured at the 2011 American Music Awards
The band performed the Vacation 2 soundtrack for the Smurfs, joining pop legend Britney Spears on the tracklist.
GRL later collaborated with Pitbull on his 2014 song Wild Wild Love. Their biggest hit as a group was Ugly Heart. It peaked at number 2 on the Australian charts.
Battle died in September 2014, with the band releasing the tribute single Lighthouse in January 2015. On June 2, 2015, the group officially disbanded.
In 2015, months after Battle’s suicide, Bennett expressed his grief and began the band’s final rehearsal as a five-piece.
‘You can never prepare yourself for something like this,’ Bennett said. PEOPLE.
‘We were in rehearsal the day before, learning the choreography for our show, and when we got the call the next day we were starting the morning as usual.’
‘I still can’t believe it. I don’t think any of us can. It’s weird that we’re even sitting here talking about this.’
Van Oppen said time allowed them to regroup and process what happened to Battle.
‘She was a very strong, independent woman and we had no idea what she was going through or her pain,’ says Van Oppen.
‘We appreciate how proud he is, but now we wish he’d let us in for a bit so maybe we could help him.
‘We want to spread the message that it’s okay to talk about it anymore and help people, maybe even change the world.’
Following Battle’s death, TMZ reported that Battle was “depressed due to money problems.”
Her family said they didn’t understand her money troubles because she was enjoying the success of her girl group, including a collaboration with Pitbull, and had just finished an overseas tour at the time.
The family also reportedly told police they were worried Battle would never make it big.
Battle first started singing professionally in 2011, following the debut of the US version of The X Factor. He made it to the top 17 and was mentored by judge Simon Cowell.
Bennett then briefly reformed GRL in 2016, alongside Slayton and new member Jazzy Mejia, on Are We Good? He released the song called. – but the band later ended once again.
