GRL’s Simone Battle dead at 25: reports

SIMONE Battle of US girl group GRL has died, aged 25.

The rising pop singer was found dead in her Los Angeles home about 8am on Friday, the Daily Mail reports.

Reign Deer Entertainment, Robin Antin, Kemosabe Records and RCA Records have released a joint statement confirming her death, Popjustice reports.

‎“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of Simone Battle of G.R.L,” the statement reads.

“Simone was an exceptional young talent and human being, and we are all devastated to lea of her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones at this time.”

Simone Battle, left, backstage at The X Factor studios in Moore Park, Sydney, with the other members of American girl group GRL. Picture: Richard Dobson Source: News Corp Australia

Her father Anthony E Battle told the Daily Mail that she would be “greatly missed and loved”.

“She was an exuberant person and a very loved person,” he said.

LA musician Derek Butler posted on his Instagram account today: “I’m still in shock and in disbelief to have confirmed the death of my childhood friend @SimoneBattle. Her heart was pure gold and her star power limitless. Rest in sweet peace Angel. #simonebattle #rip #grl”

Her father Anthony E Battle told the Daily Mail that she would be “greatly missed and loved”.

“She was an exuberant person and a very loved person,” he said.

Battle started her career with a number of small TV roles, but came to prominence in the US in 2011 when she made the live finals of The X Factor.

Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin picked Battle for an all-new line-up of the girl group in 2012, but it was rebranded as GRL in 2013.

Simone Battle (centre) with her GRL band members Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton, Lauren Bennett and Paula Van Oppen pictured at the QT Hotel in Sydney while on a promotional tour of Australia. Picture: Toby Zea Source: News Corp Australia