G.R.L. have spoken candidly for the first time about the loss of their bandmate, Simon Battle.
The young singer killed herself shortly after the girl group released their debut single ‘Ugly Heart’, back in September last year, a loss which the band say they are still dealing with to this day.
G.R.L.
Speaking to The Sun, band member Emmalynn Estrada likened Simone’s suicide to a “bomb going off”, explaining: “It felt like everything in our lives had changed.
“I had never been through anything like this before. It’s only now, months later, that we’ve started to pick up the pieces of our lives.”
The girls also defended their decision to move forward and continue G.R.L. as a four-piece, claiming it was what Simone would have wanted.
Lauren Bennett said: “We know she loved music and this group, which is one of the reasons we wanted to move forward.
“I think it would be the wrong message for the band to give up now, especially to people who are suffering from something like this. You have to be strong and move forward no matter what happens in your life.
“The message of G.R.L. has always been female empowerment.”
Simone Battle
Simone first found fame as a singer on the first series of ‘The X Factor’ in America, where she was mentored by Simon Cowell, and later released the solo single ‘He Likes Boys’ off the back of her success on the show.
Simon paid tribute to Simone after her shocking death, saying: “Such tragically sad news to hear of the passing of Simone battle.. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones.”
G.R.L. have now released the new video for their song ‘Lighthouse’, in Simone’s memory, which you can watch below: