Simone Battle
{{short description|American singer (1989–2014)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Simone Battle
| image = Simone Battle 2013.jpg
| caption = Battle in 2013
| birth_name = Simone Sherise Battle
| birth_date = {{birth date|1989|06|17}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| death_date = {{nowrap|{{death date and age|2014|09|05|1989|06|17}}}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|dancer|actress}}
| years_active = 2006–2014
| label = {{hlist|Kemosabe|RCA}}
| past_member_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 series Zoey 101 and Everybody Hates Chris, she also starred in several music videos and in the film We the Party (2012) alongside Snoop Dogg. Battle garnered attention after auditioning for the American version of The X Factor in 2011, and was eliminated at the first live show.
In 2012, she joined the original line up for American girl group G.R.L, and the group rose to prominence in 2014 for their single "Wild Wild Love", with American rapper and singer Pitbull. The song reached the top ten in Australia, Belgium, Norway, Scotland, United Kingdom and became their first chart entry on the US Billboard 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 with depression. Following her death, the group dedicated their single "Lighthouse" to her.
Career
=2006–2011: Career beginnings and ''The X Factor''=
Battle made her television debut in 2006, having small roles on shows including Zoey 101 and Everybody Hates Chris. In 2008, Battle was featured as the main character in the Mary Mary music video "Get Up". Battle also appeared as a background dancer in the Cali Swag District music video "Teach Me How to Dougie" in 2010.
In 2011, Battle auditioned for the American singing competition The X Factor in front of judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Cheryl and L.A. Reid. Battle sang "When I Grow Up" by The 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 with Melanie 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 on The X Factor were:
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
| scope="col" |Episode
! scope="col" |Theme ! scope="col" |Order ! scope="col" |Song ! scope="col" |Original artist ! scope="col" |Result |
|---|
| scope="row" |Audition
|Free choice |rowspan="5" {{n/a}} |Through to bootcamp |
| scope="row" |Bootcamp 1
|Group performance 1 |rowspan="2" colspan="2"|Not aired |Advanced |
| scope="row" |Bootcamp 2
|Group performance 2 |Advanced |
| scope="row" |Bootcamp 3
|Solo performance |"Your Song" |Through to judges' houses |
| scope="row" |Judges' houses
|rowspan="2"|No theme |"Help!" |Through to live shows |
| :T
! scope="row" | Week 1 |13 |Eliminated |
=2012–2014: Solo success, acting roles, and formation of G.R.L=
In 2012, Battle starred opposite Mandela Van Peebles, Moisés Arias, and Snoop Dogg in her film debut We the Party. The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics.{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/we_the_party_2012/|title=We the Party|date=April 6, 2012|work=rottentomatoes.com}} We the Party was Battle's only full-length film. In 2012, Battle played Olivia in the short film Meanamorphosis.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJDqu_7_dqk|title=YouTube|work=youtube.com}}{{Unreliable source?|date=November 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2445562/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_2|title=Meanamorphosis (2012)|date=April 27, 2012|work=IMDb}}{{Unreliable source?|reasonWP:IMDB IMDB is not a reliable source|date=November 2019}} The film was released on April 27, 2012.
File:G.R.L 2013-09-28-Skokie-IL photoby Adam-Bielawski.jpg in 2013]]
Upon Steve Jones' announcement that she had been eliminated from the competition, Battle promoted the online release of her debut music video "He Likes Boys".
In August 2012, Battle was initially part of The 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 the Keating Hotel in San Diego, California. Antin later announced in February 2013 that they would continue instead as the "next generation" of the Dolls as a group called G.R.L.
Death
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/simone-battle-g.r.l.-death-suicide|title='Simone Battle's Death Ruled a Suicide due to financial issues.|work=People|date=September 8, 2014|access-date=June 2, 2015}} A spokesperson for Battle stated that she suffered from depression due to financial issues.{{Cite web |url= http://www.tmz.com/2014/09/06/grl-simone-battle-dies-dead-singer-x-factor/|title='X Factor' Star Dead -- Singer Simone Battle from 'G.R.L.' Dies at 25 ... From Apparent Suicide |publisher= TMZ |date= September 6, 2014|access-date=September 7, 2014}}{{cite web |title= Simone Battle X Factor grl Suicide Depression |url= http://www.tmz.com/2014/09/09/simone-battle-x-factor-grl-suicide-depression/ |website= TMZ.com |date= September 9, 2014 |access-date= September 20, 2014}}
=Tributes=
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 including Robin Antin,{{cite web|url=http://instagram.com/p/snZkmbirB2/?modal=true |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/snZkmbirB2 |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}{{Unreliable source?|date=November 2019}} Nicole Scherzinger, Simon Cowell, Pitbull, Cirkut, Dr. Luke, Mel B,{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/devastated-mel-b-pays-tribute-4179376|title=Devastated Mel B pays tribute to Simone Battle after apparent suicide bid - star is still in shock|first=Katy|last=Forrester|date=September 7, 2014|work=mirror}} Cheryl, and fellow G.R.L. members Natasha Slayton, Emmalyn Estrada and Lauren Bennett paid tribute to Battle by writing about her on their social media.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6243961/grls-simone-battle-remembered-by-pitbull-simon-cowell|title=G.R.L.'s Simone Battle Remembered by Pitbull, Simon Cowell|magazine=Billboard|date=September 6, 2014}} The hashtag #RIPSimone was commonly used in posts about her, which trended worldwide on Twitter, as well as "Simone Battle".
=Musical tributes=
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.
Discography
{{see also|G.R.L. discography}}
Battle released four singles and one music video as a solo artist and released one extended play, two singles (including one as a featured artist), two promotional singles, and three music videos with G.R.L.
=Singles=
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:17em;"| Song
! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Director |
|---|
| scope="row"| "He Likes Boys"
| 2011 | Shane McLafferty |
| scope="row"| "Vacation"
| 2013 |
| scope="row"| "Wild Wild Love"
|rowspan="2"| 2014 | David Rousseau |
| scope="row"| "Ugly Heart" |
=Covers=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" scope="rowspan"| Year
! scope="col" scope="rowspan"| Title |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|2008
|align="left"|"Like a Star" |
| align="left"|"Saving All My Love for You" |
| rowspan="3"|2010
|align="left"|"Tik Tok" |
| align="left"|"Speechless" |
| align="left"|"Teenage Dream" |
| rowspan="3"|2011
|align="left"|"Rolling in the Deep" |
| align="left"|"Someone like You" |
| align="left"|"Santa Baby" |
| rowspan="2"|2012
|align="left"|"Take Care" |
| align="left"|"Starships" |
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=2| 2012 | We the Party | Cheyenne Davis | Feature film debut; lead role |
| Meanamorphosis | Olivia | Short film | |
| 2014 | What We Need | Linda | Short film |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=2| 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 |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Year
! scope="col" style="width:17em;"| Song ! scope="col"| Director ! scope="col"| Album |
|---|
| 2008
! scope="row"| "Get Up" | Lenny Bass |
| rowspan="2" | 2010
! scope="row"| "Teach Me How to Dougie" | Yolande Geralds |
| scope="row"| "Text"
|Kevin Shulman |
References
{{reflist|3|refs=
{{cite web |title=Photos: New Pussycat Dolls lineup revealed as Robin Antin expands empire |url=http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2012/aug/28/photos-new-pussycat-dolls-lineup-revealed-robin-an/ |publisher=The Greenspun Corporation |work=Las Vegas Weekly |last=Leach |first=Robin |date=August 28, 2012 |access-date=November 23, 2012 |archive-date=August 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830094340/http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2012/aug/28/photos-new-pussycat-dolls-lineup-revealed-robin-an/ |url-status=dead }}
{{cite web |title=Correspondent 4: Simone Battle |url=http://www.bet.com/shows/106-and-park/the-search/simone-battle.html |publisher=BET |year=2012 |access-date=December 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114071209/http://www.bet.com/shows/106-and-park/the-search/simone-battle.html |archive-date=January 14, 2013 }}
}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|2124978|Simone Battle}}
{{G.R.L.}}{{The X Factor (U.S.) contestants}}
{{The Pussycat Dolls}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Battle, Simone}}
Category:20th-century African-American women singers
Category:20th-century American women singers
Category:20th-century American singers
Category:The X Factor (American TV series) contestants
Category:American film actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:Actresses from Los Angeles
Category:Singers from Los Angeles
Category:Suicides by hanging in California
Category:21st-century African-American actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Participants in American reality television series
Category:21st-century American women singers