Simone Battle, a member of the female singing group G.R.L. and a former contestant on the U.S. version of The X Factor, was found dead Friday from an apparent suicide, according to TMZ.
The 25-year-old singer was found hanging in a closet in her bedroom at her Los Angeles home on Friday morning at about 8:30 law enforcements told the gossip site.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of Simone Battle of G.R.L.," Reign Deer Entertainment, the management firm led by Larry Rudolph, Robin Antin, Kemosabe Records and RCA Records said in a joint statement, according to People Magazine. "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."
Battle rose to fame as a contestant on the 2011 US version of X-Factor. She made it into the top 17 and later joined G.R.L., the all-girl group, made up of Paula Van Oppen, Lauren Bennett, Emmalyn Estrada and Natasha Slayton and formed by Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin.
In June, the group released their debut single, "Ugly Heart," which they performed on ABC' "Good Morning America."
In May, Battle told Yahoo Music that the show led to her being discovered by producers.
"It was actually on the show that Robin Antin and Mikey Minden saw me and they were like, 'We really like this girl. We got to track her down,'" Battle said. "And they tracked me down, and I got a phone call one day. I was performing at a nightclub in West Hollywood, and they were like 'This is Robin Antin and Mikey Minden, and we're looking for a talented singer.' I was like, 'What? Pussycat Dolls, Robin Antin?' So it's really cool to have gone through that experience, and maybe it's the reason why I'm here with G.R.L."
Friend and fellow-musician Derek Butler broke the news of Battle's death on Instagram.
"I'm still in shock and in disbelief to have confirmed the death of my childhood friend @SimoneBattle," he wrote. "Her heart was pure gold and her star power limitless. Rest in sweet peace Angel."
