Lauren Bennett, voice of LMFAO's 'Party Rock Anthem', dies at 37
The British singer, also a member of G.R.L. and Paradiso Girls, was 37. No cause of death was given.
Lauren Bennett, the British singer best known for her vocal on LMFAO's 2011 global hit "Party Rock Anthem," has died at the age of 37. Her former G.R.L. bandmates confirmed the news on Instagram on Monday, releasing a joint statement.
The announcement
Natasha Slayton, Emmalyn Estrada and Paula van Oppen, the other members of G.R.L., shared the news with a message to fans.
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.
No cause or location of death was disclosed.
Early career and Paradiso Girls
Born in Meopham, Kent, Bennett began performing in local talent contests and later auditioned for the UK version of "The X Factor," reaching the final 12. That exposure led to an invitation from Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin to join a new international girl group, Paradiso Girls, formed in 2007. Bennett moved to Los Angeles at 17. The quintet's debut single "Patron Tequila" featuring Eve and Lil' Jon peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in 2009, but the group disbanded after being dropped by Interscope.
Global breakthrough with LMFAO
Bennett's widest recognition came in 2011 when she was featured on LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem." The track became one of the year's biggest singles, topping charts worldwide and cementing the electro-pop sound of the early 2010s.
G.R.L. and later years
After Paradiso Girls, Bennett was part of a new lineup assembled by Antin that eventually rebranded as G.R.L. The group contributed "Vacation" to "The Smurfs 2" soundtrack and appeared on Pitbull's 2014 hit "Wild Wild Love." Their self-titled EP that year included "Ugly Heart," which reached the top 20 in several countries. The band was shaken by the death of member Simone Battle in 2014 and disbanded shortly after, but reformed as a trio with Bennett in 2016. They continued to tour and confirmed new music in 2021. Bennett also pursued solo work, releasing the single "Hurricane," a track inspired by mental health struggles within her family.
- Joins newly formed Paradiso Girls, assembled by Robin Antin.
- Paradiso Girls release debut single 'Patron Tequila,' peaking at No. 3 on Billboard Dance Club Songs.
- Featured on LMFAO's 'Party Rock Anthem,' a global chart-topper.
- G.R.L. release self-titled EP and single 'Ugly Heart'; member Simone Battle dies.
- G.R.L. disband; Bennett releases solo single 'Hurricane.'
- G.R.L. reform as a trio with Bennett, Slayton and Estrada.
- G.R.L. confirm new music is in the works.
A voice remembered
Across a career that began in her teens, Bennett moved from talent-show hopeful to a voice on one of the defining dance-pop records of its era. Her former bandmates' statement closed with a promise to honour her memory.
