Simone Battle | |
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![]() Battle in 2013 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Simone Sherise Battle |
Born | (1989-06-17)June 17, 1989 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Died | September 5, 2014(2014-09-05) (aged 25) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2006–2014 |
Labels | |
Formerly of | G.R.L. |
Simone Sherise Battle (June 17, 1989 – September 5, 2014) was an American singer, dancer and actress. Beginning her career after appearing in the American seriesZoey 101 andEverybody Hates Chris, she also starred in several music videos and in the filmWe the Party (2012) alongsideSnoop Dogg. Battle garnered attention after auditioning for the American version ofThe X Factor in 2011, and was eliminated at the first live show.
In 2012, she joined the original line up for American girl groupG.R.L, and the group rose to prominence in 2014 for their single "Wild Wild Love", with American rapper and singerPitbull. The song reached the top ten in Australia, Belgium, Norway, Scotland, United Kingdom and became their first chart entry on the USBillboard Hot 100. In June 2014, "Ugly Heart" was released to critical acclaim and became the group's second consecutive hit and reached the top ten in Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, and Australia.
Three months after the success of "Ugly Heart" Battle died by suicide at the age of 25, after struggling withdepression. Following her death, the group dedicated their single "Lighthouse" to her.
Battle made her television debut in 2006, having small roles on shows includingZoey 101 andEverybody Hates Chris. In 2008, Battle was featured as the main character in theMary Mary music video "Get Up". Battle also appeared as a background dancer in theCali Swag District music video "Teach Me How to Dougie" in 2010.
In 2011, Battle auditioned for the American singing competitionThe X Factor in front of judgesSimon Cowell,Paula Abdul,Cheryl andL.A. Reid. Battle sang "When I Grow Up" byThe Pussycat Dolls. After receiving three yeses from the judges, Battle had made it through to Bootcamp. She was mentored by Cowell after becoming one of the top 32 contestants in the girls category. Battle chose to be part of the live shows withMelanie Amaro,Rachel Crow, Drew, and Tiah Tolliver. After making it to the top 17, Battle and Tolliver were eliminated from the girls category during the first week by Cowell. He had also noted Battle as being one of his favorite contestants that he has mentored.Battle's performances onThe X Factor were:
Episode | Theme | Order | Song | Original artist | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audition | Free choice | — | "When I Grow Up" | The Pussycat Dolls | Through to bootcamp |
Bootcamp 1 | Group performance 1 | Not aired | Advanced | ||
Bootcamp 2 | Group performance 2 | Advanced | |||
Bootcamp 3 | Solo performance | "Your Song" | Elton John | Through to judges' houses | |
Judges' houses | No theme | "Help!" | The Beatles | Through to live shows | |
Week 1 | 13 | "Just Be Good to Me" | The S.O.S. Band | Eliminated |
In 2012, Battle starred oppositeMandela Van Peebles,Moisés Arias, andSnoop Dogg in her film debutWe the Party. The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics.[1] We the Party was Battle's only full-length film. In 2012, Battle played Olivia in the short filmMeanamorphosis.[2][unreliable source?][3][unreliable source?] The film was released on April 27, 2012.
UponSteve Jones' announcement that she had been eliminated from the competition, Battle promoted the online release of her debut music video "He Likes Boys".[4]
In August 2012, Battle was initially part ofThe Pussycat Dolls' proposed new lineup after their previous members disbanded in 2010. The announcement of her joining the group was made during the opening of the Pussycat Dolls Dollhouse at theKeating Hotel inSan Diego,California.[5] Antin later announced in February 2013 that they would continue instead as the "next generation" of the Dolls as a group calledG.R.L.
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.[6] A spokesperson for Battle stated that she suffered from depression due to financial issues.[7][8]
Simone's death led to a wide amount of media coverage and responses from fellow entertainers, co-workers, fans, and friends on social media. Many of Battle's co-workers and fellow entertainers includingRobin Antin,[9][unreliable source?]Nicole Scherzinger,Simon Cowell,Pitbull,Cirkut,Dr. Luke,Mel B,[10]Cheryl, and fellow G.R.L. members Natasha Slayton,Emmalyn Estrada andLauren Bennett paid tribute to Battle by writing about her on their social media.[11] The hashtag #RIPSimone was commonly used in posts about her, which trended worldwide onTwitter, as well as "Simone Battle".
Battle's band G.R.L. released the single "Lighthouse" as a tribute to Battle. The music video features clips and photos of Battle throughout her life.
Battle released foursingles and onemusic video as a solo artist and released oneextended play, two singles (including one as a featured artist), twopromotional singles, and three music videos withG.R.L.
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [12] | AUS [13] | IRE [14] | NZ [15] | KOR [16] | CAN [17] | FRA [18] | UK [19] | ||||
"Rain" | 2008 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N/A | |
"Just a Boy" | 2009 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Material Girl" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"He Likes Boys"[20] | 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Vacation" (as of a member ofG.R.L.) | 2013 | — | — | — | — | 97 | — | — | — | The Smurfs 2 | |
"Show Me What You Got" (as of a member of G.R.L.) | 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | G.R.L. | |
"Wild Wild Love" (Pitbull featuring G.R.L.) | 30 | 10 | 30 | 25 | — | 22 | 90 | 6 | Globalization | ||
"Ugly Heart" (as of a member of G.R.L.) | 107 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | 11 | G.R.L. |
Song | Year | Director |
---|---|---|
"He Likes Boys" | 2011 | Shane McLafferty |
"Vacation" | 2013 | Hannah Lux Davis |
"Wild Wild Love" | 2014 | David Rousseau |
"Ugly Heart" | Chris Marrs Piliero |
Year | Title |
---|---|
2008 | "Like a Star" |
"Saving All My Love for You" | |
2010 | "Tik Tok" |
"Speechless" | |
"Teenage Dream" | |
2011 | "Rolling in the Deep" |
"Someone like You" | |
"Santa Baby" | |
2012 | "Take Care" |
"Starships" |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | We the Party | Cheyenne Davis | Feature film debut; lead role |
Meanamorphosis | Olivia | Short film | |
2014 | What We Need | Linda | Short film |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | Everybody Hates Chris | Girl #2 | Episode: "Everybody Hates Greg" |
Zoey 101 | Girl | Episode: "Hot Dean" | |
2011 | The X Factor | Herself | Reality competition; 5 episodes |
2012 | 106 & Park | Herself/Correspondent | [25] |
Year | Song | Director | Album |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | "Get Up" | Lenny Bass | The Sound |
2010 | "Teach Me How to Dougie" | Yolande Geralds | The Kickback |
"Text" | Kevin Shulman | Mann's World |