Girl Talk with G.R.L.
How these five ladies are reinventing and modernizing the girl band
Written by Andrea Piamonte
Published in Vital VOICE Magazine, August 2014 Issue
If you are one who reminisces of the 90s girl group days, G.R.L is here to spark that nostalgia. They’re sexy, talented and packed with five completely different personalities — you can call them the modern-day Spice Girls.
The American-British-Canadian girl group strives to promote girl power and the idea of being Miss Independent (even the G.R.L name is a play on the word “girl”).
The famous Robin Antin, the founder of the Pussycat Dolls, formed the group with members Natasha Slayton, Emmalyn Estrada, Lauren Bennett, Paula van Oppen and Simone Battle. All five came together with different talents to create the sweet harmony that is G.R.L.
“The group dynamic is like skittles — taste the rainbow — because everybody’s so different,” Simone says. “Natasha is the bubbly valley girl, Lauren is our British hilarious goofball, Paula is the rebellious party girl, and Emmalyn is like the sweet baby. And I guess I am the fiery fly girl.”
The group’s catchy pop debut “Vacation” was featured on The Smurfs 2 soundtrack and they doubled up with Pitbull for the hit song “Wild Wild Love.”
G.R.L isn’t stopping there. They’ve recently released “Ugly Heart,” their first single off their new album. The song’s catchy lyrics are the story we’ve all heard and can relate to: It’s about getting over and moving on from that pictureperfect, oh-so-sexy man with a shitty personality, hence the “Ugly Heart.”
“The inspiration for that song is about a guy that like every girl has met in their lifetime,” Lauren adds. “A guy that is gorgeous and he knows he’s hot, but he’s not nice on the inside. To all the guys out there, be nice — it makes you so much more attractive.”
Vital VOICE got the opportunity to talk with all five of these up-and-coming ladies about everything involving the much missed era of boy bands and girl groups.
Name your favorite girl band from the past or present.
Natasha Slayton: The Spice Girls! They were such an inspiration to me. I think that’s really why and when decided I wanted to be in a girl group.
Emmalyn Estrada: The Spice Girls. I’ve always wanted to be a Spice Girl, like Baby Spice was my favorite.
Lauren Bennett: Destiny’s Child because they kind of had it all — they danced, they sang. I loved everything that they did and I admired them as artists.
Paula van Oppen: Spice Girls because I always wanted to be one of them.
Simone Battle: TLC because they were so swagged out. I like the idea of Left Eye was the rapper, Chilli was the smooth R&B one, and T-Boz’s voice is so unique.
Dream date with any celebrity boy bandmate:
Natasha Slayton: Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones. I grew up listening to them because of my dad. I think he’s the ultimate rocker, ultimate boy band star.
Emmalyn Estrada: Harry [Styles] from One Direction.
Lauren Bennett: Justin Timberlake all the way. He's so talented and hilarious!
Paula van Oppen: We all have been wanting to meet One Direction. I like Zayn [Malik], but I know he’s getting engaged to Perrie [Edwards], so I can’t say that one anymore.
Simone Battle: The Wailers and I’d obviously take Bob Marley because he’s my style. I love reggae and I love Bob Marley!
If you could drop a sixth member into G.R.L., who would it be?
Natasha Slayton: Lisa “Lefteye” Lopes. I know she isn’t with us any longer, but she had the swag, she rapped and she’s pretty. I’m a huge fan of TLC.
Emmalyn Estrada: Iggy [Azalea]. I love her! She would bring something completely different to the group and she can rap.
Lauren Bennett: Geri [Halliwell] from the Spice Girls because she’s so funny. I would like to have a laugh with her because I feel like she has a really good personality.
Paula van Oppen: I love Dawn [Richard] from Danity Kane. I actually worked with her before when I was dancing for Diddy and she’s really sweet.
Simone Battle: Just to add to diversity, it would be cool to have a Latina member in the band, so I want to say J.Lo. She’s got the Latin flavor, can sing and she’s hot!
If you could come up with a quirky nickname for yourself like the Spice Girls did, what would that be?
Natasha Slayton: I would pick “Girly-Girl.” Simone once named me that. It suits me because I’m all about rainbows, sparkles and the color pink.
Emmalyn Estrada: I’m still figuring it out. Well, the girls like to call me “The Baby” because I’m the youngest.
Lauren Bennett: The girls like to call me “The Silly Girl.” I think they are trying to say that I’m funny — maybe fun is a better way to put it. I like to joke and laugh a lot.
Paula van Oppen: Well, the girls say that I am “The Bad Girl.” I don’t think I’m bad — I just like to have a lot of fun! I guess I might be the party girl…
Simone Battle: I kind of already picked “Fly Girl” because my style and my swag!
What would be your favorite girl band song to cover?
Natasha Slayton: En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go.” They sing their booties off in that song. I have been a fan of theirs ever since I was really little.
Emmalyn Estrada: Any Destiny’s Child song. We already know all of them. Anytime any of the girls sings a Destiny’s Child song, everyone hops in and we all harmonize.
Lauren Bennett: Independent Woman because as a member of G.R.L. and as a girl group, we really want to represent girls out there. It’s such an empowering song.
Paula van Oppen: Well we have covered a lot of girl band songs, but I’d have to say “Wannabe.”
Simone Battle: Bills, BIlls, Bills.
If G.R.L. threw a house party, what would you be in charge of?
Natasha Slayton: I would be the DJ! For sure! I would fight Lauren for the DJ role.
Emmalyn Estrada: I love to decorate. My favorite part is buying balloons, all the party poppers, colorful cups and cool things that people have at parties. I like having themed parties and getting everyone to dress up and do activities.
Lauren Bennett: I’d be the DJ. There’s nothing worse than bad music when you’re trying to have a good time — it could kill the vibe. I think all the girls would be down for some 90s.
Paula van Oppen: I would probably be the one getting everybody to dance!
Simone Battle: I would be in charge of the soul train line. I would be in charge of getting the dancing started. Also, I would be in charge of the light show. Have you ever been to a rave or a music festival and somebody is doing a light show? That would be me!
