Lauren Bennett, the British singer heard on LMFAO’s global hit “Party Rock Anthem” and later known as a member of G.R.L., has died.
The Guardian reported that Bennett’s former G.R.L. bandmates confirmed her death in a statement shared on Instagram. A cause of death was not specified in the group’s announcement.
Bennett’s career moved through several corners of late-2000s and early-2010s pop, girl groups, dance-pop collaborations, a massive LMFAO feature and later G.R.L.’s run with songs including “Ugly Heart” and “Wild Wild Love.”
G.R.L. Remembered Bennett as a Beloved Bandmate
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G.R.L. members Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula van Oppen said their hearts were broken as they remembered Bennett. The group described her as someone whose spirit touched many lives and said they would cherish the memories they made with her.
Official Charts reported that tributes also came from Bennett’s former Paradiso Girls bandmate Aria Crescendo, Pussycat Dolls member Jessica Sutta, NERVO and Robin Antin, who helped create both Paradiso Girls and G.R.L.
Her Voice Became Part of a 2011 Pop Phenomenon
Bennett reached her biggest mainstream audience through “Party Rock Anthem,” LMFAO’s 2011 single featuring Bennett and GoonRock. The song became one of the defining dance-pop hits of the early 2010s and helped make Bennett’s voice familiar to listeners far beyond the girl-group world.
Official Charts reported that “Party Rock Anthem” spent four weeks at No. 1 on the U.K. Official Singles Chart in 2011. Entertainment Weekly reported that the track reached No. 1 in 20 countries and became one of the best-selling digital songs in U.S. history.
Bennett Also Performed With Paradiso Girls and G.R.L.
Before “Party Rock Anthem,” Bennett was part of Paradiso Girls, a pop group formed through Robin Antin’s post-Pussycat Dolls orbit. Variety reported that the group released “Patron Tequila” in 2009, featuring Eve and Lil Jon, and reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart.
Bennett later joined G.R.L., another Antin-linked group that released “Vacation,” appeared on Pitbull’s “Wild Wild Love,” and scored one of its best-known songs with “Ugly Heart.” Variety reported that “Ugly Heart” reached the top 20 in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other markets.
After member Simone Battle died in 2014, G.R.L. released “Lighthouse” in her honor and later disbanded before reforming in different lineups.
Her Family Also Shared a Tribute
Official Charts published a statement from Bennett’s father, Richard Bennett, who remembered his daughter as creative, talented, funny, humble and deeply loved. He said she began performing professionally at 12 and that her achievements in music remained a source of pride for her family.
His statement also said Bennett had experienced a severe reaction to prescribed medication months before her death, but he said the family had “no suspicions” about the circumstances. The family asked for privacy while grieving.
He said Bennett’s legacy lives on through her daughter, her family and the music she leaves behind.