'Party Rock Anthem' vocalist and G.R.L. group member Lauren Bennett dies at 37

Lauren Bennett (Lauren Bennett·37), the lead vocalist of a shuffle-dance craze that dominated clubs and music charts worldwide in the early 2010s and the voice behind the mega hit “Party Rock Anthem,” has died.

■ An era icon is gone… A sudden obituary shared by G.R.L. bandmates

According to coverage by U.S. music trade outlet Rolling Stone and other foreign media on the 6th (local time), the former members of the girl group G.R.L., in which Bennett was active, immediately announced her death that day through their official social media accounts. The exact cause of death was not disclosed in detail at the request of her family and former bandmates, in order to protect her privacy.

Natasha Slayton, Emmeline Estrada, and Paula Van Oppen, members of G.R.L., said in a joint statement, “With deep sadness, we share the news that our beloved Lauren has passed away,” adding, “Our hearts are completely shattered, and we cannot express in words how precious she was to us.” They continued, “We will keep forever the love, the laughter, and the countless precious memories that Lauren gave us,” and said, “Her beautiful soul has embraced the lives of so many, and we will miss her forever and love her.”

■ The voice of “Party Rock Anthem” that shook the world… A mark on pop history

Born in 1989 in Kent, England, Bennett drew attention from her teens for her standout singing ability and dance skills. In 2007, she debuted in earnest on the pop scene as a member of the global girl group “Paradiso Girls,” which was devised by Robin Antin, the founder of the legendary girl group The Pussycat Dolls. The group made a name for itself with “Patron Tequila,” a collaboration with hip-hop heavyweights including Lil Jon and Eve, which hit the upper ranks of Billboard’s dance chart.

Afterward, while pursuing solo work, Bennett reached the peak of her career in 2011 when she participated as a featured vocalist on LMFAO’s mega-hit classic “Party Rock Anthem,” an electropop duo’s signature track. The song, enhanced by her alluring, groove-filled vocals, completely consumed charts around the world—including staying at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks—and is still loved today as an immortal anthem that symbolizes dance floors worldwide.

Building on that momentum, Bennett joined G.R.L., a five-member girl group, as a core member. They participated as a featured act on pop star Pitbull’s hit “Wild Wild Love,” then put their own single “Ugly Heart” in the top 20 of the U.K. and Australia charts, propelling themselves into the next wave of major girl groups.

■ A warm soul that helped shoulder the pain of a troubled team… A wave of global mourning

G.R.L. had also faced the pain of a breakup once before, after a sudden death of member Simon Battle in 2014. At the time, even amid deep grief, Bennett released the tribute single “Lighthouse” to support her remaining bandmates and for suicide prevention and mental health charitable work, and she spoke up about doing good by saying, “Because the music industry has a huge impact on young people, I earnestly hope that even one precious life can be saved.”

When news of her death at an age far too young—late in her 30s—was reported, pop peers and global fans were left reeling. Rolling Stone said, “Her voice was the pop music soundtrack of the 2010s itself, and she was the vocalist who delivered the purest energy to the public, regardless of generation,” and expressed deep condolences. Fans worldwide also shared the hashtag “#RIPLaurenBennett” on social media, earnestly wishing for the peaceful rest of an eternal pop star who once passionately ruled the stage.