Simone Battle

Career

Battle made her television debut in 2006, appearing in small roles on Zoey 101 and Everybody Hates Chris. In 2008 she was featured as the main character in the Mary Mary music video "Get Up," and in 2010 she appeared as a background dancer in the Cali Swag District music video "Teach Me How to Dougie." In 2011 she auditioned for The X Factor in front of judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Cheryl, and L.A. Reid, singing "When I Grow Up" by The Pussycat Dolls.

After receiving three yeses, she advanced to Bootcamp and was mentored by Cowell as one of the top 32 contestants in the girls category. She made the live shows alongside Melanie Amaro, Rachel Crow, Drew, and Tiah Tolliver, but Cowell eliminated both Battle and Tolliver during the first week. Cowell later noted Battle as one of his favorite contestants he had mentored. In 2012 she starred opposite Mandela Van Peebles, Moisés Arias, and Snoop Dogg in her film debut We the Party, which received mixed to positive reviews.

That same year she played Olivia in the short film Meanamorphosis, released on April 27, 2012. After her elimination from The X Factor, Battle promoted the online release of her debut music video "He Likes Boys." In August 2012 she was initially part of a proposed new lineup of The Pussycat Dolls, announced at the opening of the Pussycat Dolls Dollhouse at the Keating Hotel in San Diego. Robin Antin announced in February 2013 that the group would continue as the "next generation" of the Dolls under the name G.R.L.

Death

Simone Battle was found hanging in her bedroom closet on September 5, 2014, at the age of 25. The cause of death was ruled as suicide. A spokesperson for Battle stated that she suffered from depression due to financial issues.

She was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery. Her death led to a wide amount of media coverage and responses from fellow entertainers, co-workers, fans, and friends on social media, including Robin Antin, Nicole Scherzinger, Simon Cowell, Pitbull, Cirkut, Dr. Luke, Mel B, Cheryl, and fellow G.R.L. members Natasha Slayton, Emmalyn Estrada, and Lauren Bennett. G.R.L. released the single "Lighthouse" as a tribute to Battle; the music video features clips and photos of Battle throughout her life.