Simone Battle, a member of the five-member group G.R.L., was found dead in West Hollywood on Friday morning according to the Washington Post. Battle, a former contestant on Fox’s television series “The X Factor” in 2011, was 25.
The LA Times reports that the singer’s “body was discovered in the bedroom of her apartment by her father following an apparent suicide.”
In 2012, Battle joined the Pussycat Dolls before the girl group was rebranded as G.R.L. under the direction of founder Robin Antin. In February of this year, G.R.L. featured on Pitbull’s song “Wild Wild Love” and appeared in the video the following month. In July, the group released a five-song eponymous EP.
Reign Deer Entertainment, Kemosabe Records, RCA Records, and Robin Antin released a joint statement yesterday: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Simone Battle of G.R.L. Simone was an exceptional young talent and human being, and we are all devastated to learn of her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones at this time.”
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The group also posted its own statement via its official Twitter account yesterday.
Game took to his Instagram account to honor the singer as well.
“No matter how beautiful life appears to be, sometimes a closer look is needed to understand what problems might lie deep within,” he wrote. “Sometimes a simple hello, how are you, can I help you with anything, would you like to talk… or an I LOVE YOU just to let someone know that you care is enough to save a soul. My heart & condolences go out to Simone’s family & I wish her a beautiful journey into the after life & may God truly bless your soul.”
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HipHopDX extends its condolences to the friends and family of Simone Battle.
(September 7, 2014)
UPDATE: Simone Battle’s passing has been ruled a suicide, according to CNN.
The singer hanged herself, the Los Angeles County coroner’s spokesperson said today (September 8).
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