Lauren Bennett, British singer best known as a member of GRL and for her appearance on LMFAO’s global smash Party rock anthemhas died at the age of 37.
Her 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 forever loved.”
No cause of death was given.
Born in Meopham, Kent, Bennett showed an early passion for performing, competing in local talent competitions and forming a duo with a friend aged 14 to perform in pubs and bars.
She came in The X Factorand made it to the last 12 before being eliminated, but that performance led directly to the next chapter of her life.
A contact from the show invited her to audition for a new group assembled by Pussycat Doll founder Robin Antin in front of music director Jimmy Iovine.
She made the cut and moved to Los Angeles at 17.
That group stayed Paradiso girlswho made an instant impact in 2009 with their debut single Patron Tequila featuring Eve and Lil’ Jon, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.
They followed it Who is my B-tch before they are looked over Interscope.
Bennett subsequently joined GRL, a new group assembled by Antin, who appeared on Pitbull’s 2014 hit Wild Wild Love and released their self-titled debut 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 member Simone Battle, but reformed as a trio in 2016 with Bennett among its members. The group continued to tour and confirmed new music in 2021.
Bennett’s most heard moment remains her contribution to Party rock anthem2011 LMFAO track that became one of the defining pop songs of the decade.
She was 37 years old.
