Lauren Bennett, a British singer who was featured on LMFAO’s hit song “Party Rock Anthem” and a founding member of the girl group G.R.L., has died. She was 37.
Her fellow G.R.L. members, Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula van Oppen, announced her death on Instagram Monday. Bennett’s cause of death wasn’t 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 she will be deeply missed and forever loved. Rest peacefully, sweet Lauren. You will always be in our hearts.”
Bennett started her music career when she appeared on the U.K. version of The X Factor‘s third series in 2006, though she was eliminated 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 Beckett, Shar Mae Amor and Chelsea Korka, they released their debut single “Patron Tequila” in 2009 but disbanded in 2010.
Bennett found more success when she was a featured guest, alongside GoonRock, on LMFAO’s hit song “Party Rock Anthem,” which released in 2011. The track topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, spending six weeks in the No. 1 spot.
In 2012, she joined another group formed by Antin called G.R.L. (Girls Rock Life) that initially included Bennett, Estrada, Slayton, van Oppen and Simone Battle. Their song “Wild Wild Love” with Pitbull also landed on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 2014.
In September of that year, Battle died by suicide, leading to the group’s disbandment in 2015. G.R.L. later reformed as a trio in 2016 with Bennett, Slayton and new member Jazzy Mejia, and has sporadically performed 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, The Lady Killer.
