Singer Lauren Bennett, known for her work with LMFAO and the girl group GRL, has passed away at the age of 36. Bennett died on May 29 in Kent, England. Her ex-bandmates confirmed the news on Monday, sharing their heartbreak over the loss of their colleague and friend.

A Career in Music

Bennett first gained significant recognition for her featured performance on LMFAO’s 2011 global hit, “Party Rock Anthem.” The song, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, became a defining track of the early 2010s. Her musical journey also included a stint in the girl group GRL, formed by Robin Antin as a revival of The Pussycat Dolls. GRL consisted of Bennett, Simone Battle, Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton, and Paula Van Oppen.

Prior to GRL, Bennett was part of The Paradiso Girls, an international girl group that released the single “Patron Tequila” featuring Lil Jon and Eve in 2009. With GRL, she contributed to tracks like “Vacation” for the Smurfs 2 soundtrack and collaborated with Pitbull on “Wild Wild Love.” The group’s most successful single was “Ugly Heart,” which reached number two on the Australian charts.

Family and Personal Life

Lauren Bennett is survived by her daughter, Harlow, aged six. Harlow’s father is actor and dancer Kenny Wormald, known for his role in the 2011 remake of “Footloose.” Wormald, 41, is also a co-owner of the dance studio Playground, with locations in London and Los Angeles. He co-founded the studio with choreographer Robin Antin. Bennett and Wormald welcomed Harlow in September 2019, sharing the news on social media.

Father’s Account of Final Months

In the wake of Bennett’s death, her father, Richard Bennett, has spoken about his daughter’s health in the months leading up to her passing. He revealed that she had experienced a severe reaction to a prescribed medication. Richard Bennett expressed deep disappointment, stating that he believes medical professionals and NHS services failed to treat his daughter appropriately during her time of greatest need. He noted that while the family has no suspicions about the circumstances of her death, they are saddened by the perceived lack of adequate care.

Richard Bennett shared a heartfelt tribute to his daughter, describing her as “beautiful and talented,” his “love of my life and my pride and joy.” He remembered her as “creative, talented, funny, and as humble as she was beautiful,” adding that she was “deeply loved by all who knew her.” He highlighted her early start in performing at age 12 and expressed immense pride in her musical achievements. He concluded by emphasizing that her legacy lives on through her daughter, family, and music, and requested privacy for the grieving family.

A History of Tragedy for GRL

Bennett’s passing marks another profound tragedy for the group GRL. In 2014, bandmate Simone Battle died by suicide at the age of 25. Bennett, along with her bandmates, spoke about the immense grief and shock following Battle’s death. In an interview following the tragedy, Bennett described the difficulty of processing the loss, especially after having been in rehearsals with Battle just days before.

The remaining members of GRL released a tribute song, “Lighthouse,” in January 2015. The group officially disbanded in June 2015, months after Battle’s death. Van Oppen later reflected on the experience, expressing a wish that Battle had felt able to share her struggles, stating, “Now we want to spread that message that it’s okay to talk about, and help people, maybe even change the world.” Reports at the time suggested Battle’s death may have been linked to financial difficulties, though her family expressed confusion given her recent successes.

Bennett later briefly reformed GRL in 2016 with Natasha Slayton and Jazzy Mejia, releasing the track “Are We Good?” before the group ultimately disbanded again.

Inquest Scheduled

A formal inquest into Lauren Bennett’s death has been scheduled for October 30. The coroner’s investigation will aim to clarify the exact circumstances surrounding her unexpected passing.

For anyone affected by the news, the Samaritans are available for support. They can be contacted free of charge, day or night, 365 days a year, by calling 116 123 or visiting samaritans.org.