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Lauren Bennett, the British singer known for her memorable vocals on LMFAO’s global hit “Party Rock Anthem” and as a member of the pop group G.R.L., has passed away at the age of 37.
The news was shared on Monday by her G.R.L. bandmates Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton, and Paula van Oppen through social media. In their heartfelt statement, they expressed profound sorrow over the loss of their friend and bandmate, highlighting the lasting impact of her spirit and the cherished memories they shared. The statement concluded with a loving tribute, saying Bennett will always remain in their hearts.
Details surrounding Bennett’s cause of death have not been made public.
Bennett first emerged on the music scene as a contestant on the U.K. “X Factor” in 2006, where she was eliminated before the live shows.
The following year, she joined the Paradiso Girls, a group created by Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin, releasing the single “Patron Tequila” featuring Lil Jon and Eve in 2009. Despite their initial promise, Paradiso Girls disbanded in 2010 without releasing a full album.
Her breakthrough came in 2011 when she collaborated with electronic duo LMFAO on “Party Rock Anthem.” The song dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and became a worldwide phenomenon, later ranking as the second biggest Hot 100 song of the decade according to Billboard.
In 2012, Bennett reunited with Antin to form G.R.L., alongside Estrada, Slayton, Paula van Oppen, and Simone Battle. The group made their debut on the “Smurfs 2” soundtrack with “Vacation” in 2013 and featured on Pitbull’s “Wild Wild Love” in 2014.
Their single “Ugly Heart” gained considerable attention before tragedy struck with the death of founding member Simone Battle in 2014. G.R.L. disbanded the following year but reformed as a trio in 2016 with Bennett, Slayton, and new member Jazzy Mejia.
Beyond her career, Bennett was a devoted mother to her daughter Harlow, born in 2019 with partner Kenny Wormald, known for his role in “Footloose.” Wormald frequently shared affectionate moments of their life together on social media.
Josh Stevens, a longtime friend and producer who worked closely with Bennett on LMFAO’s album “Sorry for Party Rocking,” paid tribute to her, recalling their global tours and the special bond they shared, including a touching coincidence of their children sharing the same birthday.
Lauren Bennett’s contributions to pop and dance music left a lasting mark, and she will be remembered fondly by fans and friends alike.