Lauren Bennett, the British singer featured on LMFAO’s hit song “Party Rock Anthem” and a founding member of the girl group GRL, has died. She was 37 years old.
Fellow GRL members Emmaline Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula Van Oppen announced her death on Instagram on Monday. Bennett’s cause of death was not immediately available.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren,” their statement 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 we will miss her deeply and love her forever. Rest in peace, dear Lauren. You will always be in our hearts.”
Bennett began her music career when she appeared in the British version of Factor XThe third series took place in 2006, although it was axed just before the live shows.
The following year, she was recruited to join the girl group Paradiso Girls, started by Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin. Consisting of Bennett, Aria Crescendo, Kelly Pickett, Char My Amour, and Chelsea Kurka, the band released their debut single “Patron Tequila” in 2009 but disbanded in 2010.
Bennett achieved further success when she was a featured guest, alongside GoonRock, on LMFAO’s hit song “Party Rock Anthem”, released in 2011. The song topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, spending six weeks at number one.
In 2012, she joined another group formed by Antin called GRL (Girls Rock Life) which initially included Bennett, Estrada, Slayton, Van Oppen and Simone Battle. Their song “Wild Wild Love” with Pitbull also reached Billboard’s Hot 100 in 2014.
In September of that year, Battle died by suicide, leading to the group disbanding in 2015. GRL later reformed as a trio in 2016 with Bennett, Slayton, and new member Jazzy Mejia, and performed sporadically over the years.
Some of the group’s songs included “Vacation,” “Ugly Heart,” and “Lighthouse,” the latter of which was a tribute to Battle.
Bennett also collaborated with CeeLo Green on his song “Love Gun” from his 2010 album, Lady killer.
