Singer and former G.R.L. member Lauren Bennett has died. She was 36.
Online records show that Bennett died in the Meopham village of Kent, England, on May 29 ahead of her 37th birthday, but the news did not become public until her former G.R.L. bandmates Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula Van Oppen released a joint statement on Monday, July 6.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren,” Estrada, 34, Slayton, 37, and Van Oppen, also 37, wrote via Instagram. “Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us.”
Their statement continued, “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 be in our hearts.”
No additional details regarding Bennett’s death, including the cause, were available at the time of publication. An inquest is scheduled for October 30.
Bennett was best known for her role in G.R.L. The girl group formed in 2012 with Bennett, Estrada, Slayton, Van Oppen and Simone Battle. The following year, the group found success with their hit song “Vacation,” which was featured on the Smurfs 2 soundtrack, and their collaboration with Pitbull on his song “Wild Wild Love.”
While G.R.L. was on the rise, tragedy struck in September 2024 when Battle died at age 25. Her death was later ruled a suicide.
“Words cannot express the depth of our loss. Simone’s incredible talent was only surpassed by the size of her heart,” the group tweeted at the time. “We will carry her memory with us in everything we do.”
After Battle’s death, G.R.L. released their song “Lighthouse.” In addition, the group revealed a campaign with the nonprofit Give an Hour. Their G.R.L. Gives an Hour initiative was dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues in the United States.
Less than a year later, G.R.L decided to disband following Battle’s death. Bennett pursued a solo career in 2015 and released her song “Hurricane” the following year.
“After G.R.L. ended I had no idea what was going to happen next, everything fell apart pretty fast. That’s when this song was written,” Bennett wrote via Instagram in 2016. “After seeing my mother suffer with mental struggles for years I then lost a friend to this. It has always affected my life in some way. We all at least know someone who has dealt with it or have yourself. This is a story to show from my eyes what it feels like to suffer from this but also the other perspective to lose someone to this.”
In addition to her time with G.R.L., Bennett was best known for being featured on LMFAO’s hit song “Party Rock Anthem,” the first No. 1 of her career.
