Lauren Bennett, best known as a member of the groups Paradiso Girls and G.R.L. and for her appearance on LMFAO’s 2011 smash “Party Rock Anthem,” has died. She was 37.
Bennett’s fellow G.R.L. members announced her death on Instagram, releasing a joint statement. “Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us,” wrote the group, which consists of Natasha Slayton, Emmalyn Estrada and Paula van Oppen. “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.” A cause of death was not given.
The singer got her start in the music industry as a member of Paradiso Girls, formed by Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin. The quintet made waves in 2009 with the release of their debut single “Patron Tequila” featuring Eve and Lil’ Jon, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, but disbanded after they were dropped from Interscope a year later. Bennett then joined the group G.R.L., which appeared on Pitbull’s 2014 hit “Wild Wild Love” and released their self-titled debut EP the same year. That album spawned the single “Ugly Heart,” which went top 20 in the United Kingdoem, Australia, New Zealand and more.
Bennett was born in Meopham, Kent, England, and competed in local talent contests. At 14, she formed a duo with her friend and performed in pubs and bars before entering “X Factor,” making it through the final 12 before getting sent home. But that appearance led to a call from someone at “X Factor” to audition for the new group Paradiso Girls in front of Jimmy Iovine and Antin, and after making the cut, she moved to Los Angeles at 17 years old.
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Paradiso Girls released “Patron Tequila” in 2009, and followed with the single “Who’s My Bitch.” After the group was dropped, Bennett was part of a new lineup that Antin had assembled to replace members who had left Pussycat Dolls. That group was inevitably rebranded as G.R.L. to release their debut single “Vacation” on “The Smurfs 2” soundtrack, followed by an appearance on Pitbull’s “Wild Wild Love.” They then released “Ugly Heart,” their highest-performing single to date, along with their self-titled EP.
G.R.L. disbanded in 2014 following the death of member Simone Battle, but reformed as a trio consisting of Bennett in 2016. The group continued to tour over the years, and in 2021 confirmed the release of new music.