Nicole Taylor, one third of the country trio Taylor Red, has died at 35 after a battle with breast cancer. Her triplet sisters, Nika and Natalie Taylor, shared the news this week, revealing that she passed away on September 28 at her home in Nashville.
What We Know
The group’s official website confirmed the death with a short notice: “Nicole Taylor, 35, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on September 28, 2026.” Her sisters then spoke about their loss in an emotional video posted to social media on Monday, November 2, ABC News, Fox News and Extra reported. The family held a private funeral.
According to the sisters, Nicole was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2022. She initially responded well to treatment and was at one point declared free of disease, but the cancer later returned at stage 4. Doctors told her she had about three months to live. She lived roughly a year beyond that prognosis.
“We honestly thought she’d be healed here on earth, but now she’s healed in heaven,” Nika said in the video. The sisters added that they were still in shock, but took comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering.
Natalie described how Nicole faced her illness: she kept hoping, traveled and tried to keep living fully rather than “live in fear.” Fox News reported that she even kept up CrossFit workouts during chemotherapy.
Background
Born on March 18, 1991, Nicole was the oldest of the triplets, by a minute or two, and her sisters described her as the leader of the band. She started out on drums and also played banjo and guitar, singing low harmonies and some lead vocals.
The sisters first performed together as Red Roots, forming the group in 2010 and releasing a self-titled debut album in 2011. Two more records followed, The Middle of Nowhere in 2012 and Triplicity in 2014. After signing with Inpop Records in 2015, they renamed themselves Taylor Red.
The trio became best known for the songs “Country Money,” released in 2021, and “Rent Free.” Away from the band, Nicole also co-hosted a country radio show with Taste of Country, according to Extra.
Their story unfolded in the same Nashville scene that has produced today’s big country names, from Kelsea Ballerini to Lainey Wilson, though Taylor Red carved out its own lane as a sibling act built on three-part harmonies.
Reactions
So far, the public tributes reported by major outlets have come from Nicole’s own family. Her sisters said she never wanted the diagnosis to define her days. According to Natalie, Nicole told them early on, “We’re not going to live in dread during all of this,” and believed “God’s gonna use this for his glory.”
What’s Next
Nika and Natalie have not said what the future holds for Taylor Red as a duo. For now, the sisters are focused on remembering Nicole, and fans have been sharing their condolences on the group’s social media pages. Readers who enjoy family-rooted country music can also explore the careers of Carrie Underwood and other Nashville artists on our site.
Sources
- ABC News – Country music singer Nicole Taylor of Taylor Red dies at 35
- Fox News – Taylor Red singer Nicole Taylor dies at 35
- Extra – Nicole Taylor, a Triplet from the Country Group Taylor Red, Dies at 35
- Variety – Nicole Taylor, Country Singer in Triplet Trio Taylor Red, Dies at 35