X Factor' Singer Found Dead in Hollywood Home

LOS ANGELES (TheBlaze/AP) — Singer Simone Battle was found dead in her West Hollywood home, authorities said Saturday.

Simone Battle (Image source: AP/Casey Curry/Invision)

Battle's body was discovered in the bedroom of her apartment by her father on Friday following an apparent suicide, the Los Angeles Times said, citing reports.

Battle, 25, gained notoriety through performances on the television show "X Factor."

One of the show's judges, Simon Cowell, tweeted his condolences:

Her five-member band — G.R.L., originally a reboot of the Pussycat Dolls — had been signed by mega-hit maker Dr. Luke.

In a written statement, G.R.L.'s record companies RCA and Kemosabe called Battle an exceptional young talent and human being.

The group was featured on rapper Pitbull's hit song "Wild Wild Love" earlier this year. Battle told The Associated Press in July that the collaboration gave the group a platform to launch its debut single, "Ugly Heart."

Pitbull "has so many hits and he's really done a great job ... showing us the ropes," Battle said. "This was the first time that we heard ourselves on the radio together."

An autopsy was expected Sunday.

Here's a clip of Battle singing a version of the Beatles' "Help" at Cowell's house: