Taylor Red member Nicole Taylor dies

Nicole Taylor, one half of the country duo Taylor Red, has died at age 35. Her sisters and bandmates confirmed the news in a social media post on Monday, calling the loss a shock to the family.

The identical triplets from Mississippi started making music together in 2010 under the name Red Roots. They changed the band name to Taylor Red eight years later and relocated to Nashville. Their song "Country Money" went viral in 2021, bringing the group wide attention. Nicole received a diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer the following year.

Natalie Taylor recalled the moment her sister learned the news. "I remember we were out in a public place, and she got a phone call from the nurse about her biopsy results," Natalie said in a video posted with her sister Nika. "And she was like, 'You have cancer.' I remember just breaking down in utter shock."

Nika Taylor described the physical toll of the diagnosis. "If you know anybody with cancer, there’s so many MRIs, scans, treatments, appointments that you have to go through, and it’s very stressful," she said. The sisters noted that Nicole’s condition later advanced to stage 4.

According to the band's website, Nicole died on Sept. 28. The family held a private funeral service. "We are shocked and heartbroken to announce the passing of our sister," Nika and Natalie wrote. "She’s at peace and no longer suffering, so we’re thankful for that."