Girl Group G.R.L. Reforms Nearly Two Years After Simone Battle's Tragic Suicide

Girl group G.R.L. is back!

Original members Lauren Bennett and Natasha Slayton have teamed up again and added new member Jazzy Mejia, E! News exclusively confirms. The original group (which also included Paula Van Oppen and Emmalyn Estrada, neither of whom are a part of the latest era of G.R.L.) broke up in June 2015, nine months after the tragic suicide of G.R.L.’s own Simone Battle.

The reformed trio addressed the “incredible highs and lows” G.R.L. has been through and why the time is now to reunite and make music, telling E! News in an exclusive statement, “After the heartbreaking loss of Simone, a beautiful soul gone far too soon, we are unsure about whether to continue but ultimately we know we can’t give up on this, as we want to spread the message of strength and resilience no matter what obstacles come our way because this is what we love to do.”

“We are so excited to introduce our amazing fans to our newest GRL sister, Jazzy Mejia,” G.R.L.’s statement continued. “We are so honored to be able to offer her this special opportunity, as she has been a devoted fan of GRL since the beginning, and now will be living out her dreams of performing on stage as a REAL GRL! Besides her raw talent, she is kind hearted and willing to put in the work necessary to make GRL greater than ever.”

“We have received so much love and support already from the fans of GRL and for that we are so grateful,” the statement continued. “GRL’s journey thus far has had incredible highs and lows, we’ve definitely been through so much as a group and by no means has it been easy for us.”

G.R.L.’s “first big performance back” will be “Nickelodeon Slimefest” in Australia, which they “will be prepping and rehearsing for over the next month.”

“We are so excited to be back and doing what we love–performing and making music!” G.R.L. told E! News. “We cannot wait to be back on stage!”