Lauren Bennett, a former member of the Paradiso Girls and G.R.L., has died at 37. The surviving members of G.R.L. announced the news in a statement posted to the group’s Instagram account Monday (July 6).
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren,” the statement from surviving members Paula van Oppen, Natasha Slayton and Emmalyn Estrada began. “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.”
They concluded the statement: “Rest peacefully, sweet Lauren. You will always be in our hearts.”
The cause of her death has not been revealed.
Bennett began her career in the music industry as one of the Paradiso Girls, a group formed by Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin. Its 2009 debut single, “Patron Tequila” featuring Eve and Lil’ Jon, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.
After Interscope dropped the group in 2010, Bennett continued her career as a soloist, working with artists such as CeeLo Green, will.i.am on his remix of “I Got It from My Mama” and was featured on LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem,” which was a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 song for six weeks in 2011.
She then joined G.R.L., which debuted in 2013. The group released its debut single, “Vacation,” on the soundtrack to The Smurfs 2, in 2013, and G.R.L. also appeared on Pitbull’s “Wild Wild Love” in 2014. Later that year, the group released its self-titled debut EP.
Bennett is the second member of the group to pass away, after Simone Battle died in 2014 at the age of 25. Battle’s death was ruled a suicide by hanging. G.R.L. disbanded in 2015.
