Lauren Bennett, who featured on LMFAO‘s huge hit ‘Party Rock Anthem’, has died aged 37.
Bennett’s former girl group, G.R.L., announced her passing in a statement on their Instagram page.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren,” they wrote.
“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.”
An official cause of death has yet to be confirmed. She is survived by her six-year-old daughter, Harlow.
Bennett started her music career at 18 when she formed the Paradiso Girls in 2007.
Their 2009 debut single, ‘Patron Tequila’, featured rappers Lil Jon and Eve. They disbanded in 2010 after their second single was unsuccessful.
She went on to collaborate with the likes of CeeLo Green, Will.i.am and The Pussycat Dolls before she teamed up with LMFAO for their huge 2011 hit ‘Party Rock Anthem’ which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK singles chart.
The singer joined G.R.L. that same year who went on to release their debut single ‘Vacation’ on the Smurfs 2 soundtrack in 2013, before they went on to feature on Pitbull’s hit in 2014 ‘Wild Wild Love’. They also released their self-titled EP in July that same year.
Band member Simone Battle died by suicide at the age of 25 in September 2014 and the girl group released the song ‘Lighthouse’ in her honour and to raise mental health awareness. The group officially disbanded in June 2015.
The following year Bennett released the song ‘Hurricane’ and said at the time it was written about watching her mother and a friend struggle with their mental health.
That same year G.R.L. reformed as a trio before all the surviving members briefly reunited in 2020.
Bennett also sang on soundtracks for the movies Date Night and 21 Jump Street.
