Lauren Bennett, British singer best known as a member of GRL and for her appearance on the worldwide hit LMFAO Festive rock anthemdied at the age of 37.
Fellow GRL members Natasha Slayton, Emmalyn Estrada and Paula van Oppen announced the news on Instagram in a joint statement.
“Our hearts are broken and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us,” the group wrote.
“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 loved forever.”
No cause of death was given.
Bennett was born in Meopham, Kent, and showed a passion for performing early on, entering local talent competitions and forming a duo with a friend at 14 to perform in pubs and bars.
She entered The X factormaking it to the final 12 before being eliminated, but that appearance led directly to the next chapter of her life.
A contact from the show invited her to audition for a new group put together by Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin in front of musical director Jimmy Iovine.
She was successful and moved to Los Angeles at age 17.
This group became Paradiso Girlswho made an immediate impact in 2009 with his debut single Tequila boss featuring Eve and Lil’ Jon, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.
They followed him with Who is my bitch before being deposited Interscope.
Bennett then joined GRL, a new group formed by Antin, who appeared on Pitbull’s 2014 hit. Wild Wild Love and released his first self-titled EP the same year.
It produced their biggest hit, ugly heartwhich reached the top 20 in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
GRL disbanded in 2014 following the death of Simone Battle, but reformed as a trio in 2016 with Bennett among its members. The band continued touring and confirmed new music in 2021.
Bennett’s most heard moment remains his contribution to Festive rock anthemthe 2011 LMFAO track that became one of the defining pop songs of the decade.
She was 37 years old.
