Nigeria: Lauren Bennett of “Party Rock Anthem” fame dies at 36
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
British singer Lauren Bennett, best known as one of the voices on LMFAO’s 2011 global smash _Party Rock Anthem_, has died at the age of 36.
Her former group G.R.L. announced the news in a statement shared on Instagram on Monday.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren,” the group wrote. “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.”
Coroner records state that Bennett died in Meopham, Kent, on May 29, 2026. No cause of death was disclosed. An inquest is scheduled for October. Representatives for Bennett did not immediately respond to requests for commen
Bennett first rose to international fame as a featured vocalist on _Party Rock Anthem_ by LMFAO. The 2011 track spent six weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later named by Billboard as the fifth most successful song of all time. The music video, which also featured Bennett, has surpassed 2.5 billion views on YouTube.
She also lent her vocals to soundtracks for the films _Date Night_ and _21 Jump Street_.
In 2014, Bennett joined G.R.L., a pop group formed as a reboot of The Pussycat Dolls by choreographer Robin Antin. The lineup included Paula Van Oppen, Natasha Slayton, Simone Battle, and Emmalyn Estrada.
G.R.L.’s biggest hit was _Ugly Heart_, released in 2014. The group also appeared on Pitbull’s _Wild Wild Love_ that same year. The group disbanded in 2015 following the death of member Simone Battle.
Before G.R.L., Bennett was a member of Paradiso Girls, another Robin Antin project created as a European counterpart to The Pussycat Dolls.
Tributes have been shared by former bandmates and fans. Former Paradiso Girls member Aria Crescendo posted on Instagram:
“RIP Lauren my sister my best friend I can’t believe you left us. We spoke a week before it all happened and I could not imagine that would be the last time I would be able to talk to you. Love you and miss you forever.”
Bennett’s work on _Party Rock Anthem_ made her one of the recognizable voices of the early 2010s dance-pop era, and her time with G.R.L. cemented her place in pop music during the mid-2010s.
She is remembered by colleagues for her energy on stage and her contributions to some of the decade’s most-played songs.
