Lauren Bennett’s loved ones have gathered in London for a private memorial service honoring the singer, following her unexpected death at the age of 36.
The former girl group member and LMFAO collaborator, who died on May 29 in Kent, England, was laid to rest at the ceremony, with her former GRL bandmates among those in attendance, according to TMZ.
Members of Bennett’s earlier group, Paradiso Girls, were also reportedly present at the service, which took place roughly a week and a half ago.
As part of the tribute, mourners are said to have written heartfelt notes on balloons before releasing them into the sky in Bennett’s memory.
The service also included a prominent memorial display featuring Bennett’s photograph alongside the words: “Celebrating the Life of Lauren Bennett. Forever Loved. Forever With Us.”
A formal inquest into Bennett’s sudden death is set for October 30, when a coroner will examine the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Lauren Bennett’s family and friends have held a private memorial service for the singer in London after her sudden death at 36; she is pictured in 2015
Bennett was widely known for her feature on LMFAO’s 2011 chart-topping single “Party Rock Anthem” — pictured with Redfoo and Skyblu in 2011
Bennett was best known for her feature spot on 2011 chart-topping hit Party Rock Anthem, and her time in band GRL.
Her ex-bandmates confirmed her death in a heartbreaking statement on Monday which read, ‘It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren.
‘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.
‘Rest peacefully, sweet Lauren. You will always be in our hearts. Your GRLS, Em, Tash, and P.’
A cause of death has not been publicly announced. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Bennett for further comment.
Bennett’s final Instagram post was shared on February 22 and showed the singer performing a cover of Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.
The death comes 12 years after Bennett’s GRL bandmate Simone Battle died by suicide aged 25.
The band, created as a reboot of the Pussycat Dolls and formed by Robin Antin, was also comprised of Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula Van Oppen.
Bennett is survived by one daughter, Harlow, aged six, who she shares with dancer and Footloose actor Kenny Wormald.
The English singer first landed in the music industry in short-lived girl group, The Paradiso Girls, featuring members from different countries.
The group included Chelsea Korka from the United States, Aria Crescendo from France, Shar Mae Amor from the Philippines, and Bennett and Kelly Beckett from the United Kingdom.
The former girlband star, who died on May 29 in Kent, England, was laid to rest during the ceremony, which was attended by her former GRL bandmates, as per TMZ
The death comes 12 years after Bennett’s GRL bandmate Simone Battle (seen center in 2013) died by suicide aged 25 – Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula Van Oppen also pictured
Her ex-bandmates confirmed her death in a heartbreaking statement on Monday which read, ‘It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren’
They released debut single Patron Tequila featuring Lil Jon and Eve in 2009 – but later disbanded in 2010.
Her former bandmate Crescendo wrote 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.’
Her biggest hit came in 2011 with Party Rock Anthem, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts for six weeks.
She later became the first member of Antin’s newest band, later known as GRL.
The group sang song Vacation for the Smurfs 2 soundtrack, joining pop legend Britney Spears on the track list.
GRL later collaborated with Pitbull on 2014 song, Wild Wild Love. Their biggest hit as a group was Ugly Heart which peaked at 2 on the Australian charts.
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Battle died in September 2014 with the band releasing tribute single Lighthouse in January 2015. On 2 June 2015, the group officially disbanded.
Bennett is survived by one daughter, Harlow, aged six, who she shares with dancer and Footloose actor Kenny Wormald, 41
Bennett is pictured in the 2011 music video for Party Rock Anthem
Bennett is pictured at the 2011 American Music Awards
GRL collaborated with Pitbull on 2014 song Wild Wild Love – pictured performing at the iHeartRadio Music Awards
The English singer first landed in the music industry in short-lived girl group, The Paradiso Girls, featuring members from different countries – pictured 2010 with members Chelsea Korka, Aria Crescendo, Kelly Beckett and Shar Mae Amor
Crescendo paid tribute to Bennett on Instagram after her death was announced
Bennett is pictured with mentor and GRL creator Robin Antin in 2012
In 2015, months after the suicide of Battle, Bennett spoke out on her grief and opened up the group’s final rehearsal as a five.
‘You can never prepare yourself for something like this, ever,’ Bennett told PEOPLE.
‘We’d just been in rehearsals the day before, learning choreography for our show, and the next day we were starting the morning as usual when we got the call.’
‘I still can’t believe it. I don’t think any of us can. It’s weird that we’re even sitting here, talking about it.’
Van Oppen said that time has allowed them to regroup and process what happened to Battle.
‘She was such a strong woman, and very independent, and we had no idea what she was going through, or her pain,’ Van Oppen says.
‘We admire how prideful she was, but now we just wish she’d let us in a little bit so maybe we could have helped her.
‘Now we want to spread that message that it’s okay to talk about, and help people, maybe even change the world.’
Following Battle’s death, TMZ reported that she was ‘depressed over money issues’.
Bennett later briefly reformed GRL with Slayton and new member Jazzy Mejia in 2016, and released track, Are We Good? – but the band later ended once again – pictured 2016
Her family said they didn’t understand her money struggles because she was enjoying success with the girl group, including a collaboration with Pitbull, and had just finished a tour overseas at the time.
The family also reportedly told police that Battle had been worried she would never make it big.
Battle first started singing professionally after her breakout on the U.S. version of the X Factor in 2011. She made it to the top 17 and was mentored by judge Simon Cowell.
Bennett later briefly reformed GRL with Slayton and new member Jazzy Mejia in 2016, and released track, Are We Good? – but the band later ended once again.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org
