G.R.L.

Lore & Background

G.R.L. originated in late 2011 when choreographer Robin Antin held auditions to replace departed members of The Pussycat Dolls. The new line-up debuted on February 5, 2012, during the Super Bowl in a GoDaddy commercial. After several lineup changes, the official group—Simone Battle, Lauren Bennett, Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton, and Paula van Oppen—was unveiled in April 2013 under the new name G.R.L.

The group gained international attention after collaborating with Pitbull on "Wild Wild Love," which peaked in the top ten in multiple countries and was certified platinum in the U.S. Their EP "G.R.L." preceded the single "Ugly Heart," which became their most successful release, reaching number two in Australia and earning 4× platinum certification there. Following Simone Battle's death in September 2014, the group released "Lighthouse" in her honor and disbanded in June 2015.

G.R.L. reformed as a trio in 2016 with Bennett, Slayton, and new member Jazzy Mejia, touring and releasing singles. In 2020, the four surviving original members briefly reunited, though van Oppen chose not to rejoin. The group continued as a trio until Bennett's death in May 2026, which was announced in July of that year; no new releases or performances occurred after her passing.

Reader's Guide

G.R.L. occupies a notable place in 2010s pop music as a group that emerged from the legacy of The Pussycat Dolls but quickly established its own identity. Their collaboration with Pitbull on "Wild Wild Love" brought them mainstream visibility, while "Ugly Heart" demonstrated their potential as a standalone act, achieving significant chart success in Australia, New Zealand, and Scandinavia. The group's trajectory was profoundly altered by the suicide of member Simone Battle in 2014, which led to the release of the tribute single "Lighthouse" and a subsequent disbandment. Their reformation as a trio in 2016 and later reunions reflect the enduring bond among members, though the group never recaptured its earlier commercial peak. The deaths of Battle and later Bennett bookend a story of promise cut short by personal tragedy. G.R.L.'s legacy includes raising awareness for mental health through the G.R.L. Gives an Hour campaign, which became associated with Michelle Obama's Change Direction initiative. Their music remains a touchstone for fans of early-2010s pop and girl group culture.

Did You Know?

• G.R.L. originally formed from auditions to replace departed members of The Pussycat Dolls.
• Their single "Ugly Heart" peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified 4× platinum in Australia.
• After Simone Battle's death, the group released "Lighthouse" and launched the G.R.L. Gives an Hour campaign for mental health awareness.
• Lauren Bennett died on 29 May 2026, aged 36, with her death announced by former bandmates in July.