G.R.L and LMFAO singer Lauren Bennett dies aged 37 as bandmates pay tribute
Lauren Bennett, who was best known as a vocalist for LMFAO and as part of the girl band G.R.L, has tragically passed away at the age of 37.
The sad news was confirmed by the band on Monday (6 July), who took to Instagram to share a tribute, remembering her as a ‘beautiful spirit’ who will be ‘deeply missed’.
G.R.L wrote: “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren.
“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.
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“Her beautiful spirit touched so many lives, and she will be deeply missed and forever loved.”
The group, Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton, and Paula van Oppen, added: “Rest peacefully, sweet Lauren. You will always be in our hearts.”
A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
USA Today reports that Bennett died on 29 May, citing Kent and Medway Coroner records.
Bennett, who was born in Meopham, Kent, took part in local talent shows and performed in pubs before entering The X Factor as a teen. She was ultimately sent home after making it to the final 12, but later received a call to audition for a new girl band - Paradiso Girls.
The British singer first found success with Paradiso Girls, whose 2009 single 'Patron Tequila' featured Lil Jon and charted in the United States and Canada before the group disbanded the following year.
Bennett went on to feature alongside LMFAO and GoonRock on 'Party Rock Anthem', one of the biggest and most iconic hits of 2011.
The song topped charts in the UK, the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Australia.
In 2013, Bennett went on to join G.R.L, which was formed by producer Robin Antin following her success with the Pussycat Dolls.
The group’s single 'Vacation' featured on the soundtrack for Smurfs 2, but their biggest hit was 'Ugly Heart', a catchy pop track that reached number 11 on the UK singles chart in 2014.
The band disbanded following the death of bandmate Simone Battle, but Bennett returned when G.R.L. reunited with new line-ups in 2016 and again in 2020.
Bennett’s former Paradiso Girls bandmate, Aria Crescendo, also added to the tributes, posting on Instagram: “RIP Lauren my sister my best friend I can’t believe you left us.
“We spoke a week before it all happened, and I could not imagine that would be the last time I would be able to talk to you. Love you and miss you forever.”
At the time of Simone’s death in 2014, who heartbreakingly died by suicide, Lauren told PEOPLE Magazine: “You can never prepare yourself for something like this, ever.
“We’d just been in rehearsals the day before, learning choreography for our show, and the next day we were starting the morning as usual when we got the call.”
She added: “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 it.”
Bennett is survived by her six-year-old daughter, Harlow.
Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity, News, World News, UK News
Madison Burgess