Nicole Taylor, one-third of the country trio Taylor Red, died at her home in Nashville on 28 September at the age of 35. Her sisters and bandmates Nika and Natalie announced her death on 2 November.
Taylor was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2022. She initially responded to chemotherapy, but the cancer later returned and progressed to stage 4. Doctors gave her three months to live, but she lived for another year.
Nika Taylor said in a video, “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our sister Nicole Taylor.”
Nika also said, “We honestly thought she’d be healed here on earth, but now she’s healed in heaven.” Natalie Taylor said that Nicole tried not to live in fear and remained hopeful, adding that she travelled, worked hard, and tried to have fun.
Born and raised in southern Mississippi, Nicole formed Taylor Red with her identical triplet sisters, Nika and Natalie. The group began performing together in 2010 under the name Red Roots and released three albums before rebranding as Taylor Red in 2018.
Variety featured Taylor Red in a 2020 report examining how female country and pop groups used TikTok to build audiences outside traditional industry channels. The group released the song “Country Money” in 2021, which became one of their best-known releases.
Nika and Natalie wrote on the group’s website, “Nicole, the oldest of us three sisters, will be greatly missed.” They added that she was their leader and best friend. The family held a private funeral service.
