Nicole Taylor, the oldest of an identical triplet sister trio who performed in the country music band Taylor Red, died at age 35 on September 28 at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, after a battle with breast cancer, her sisters and bandmates Nika and Natalie Taylor announced on social media, as reported by nine.com.au.
Despite facing an aggressive terminal diagnosis, the singer maintained her daily routine through treatments, even completing CrossFit workouts while undergoing chemotherapy before the disease ultimately progressed.
The Bottom Line
- Nicole Taylor passed away on September 28 at her Nashville home following a battle with breast cancer, with her sisters publicly announcing the loss this week.
- The singer was first diagnosed with an aggressive form of Stage 3 breast cancer in 2022, initially responding well to treatments before the cancer returned nine months later as Stage 4.
- Alongside identical triplet sisters Nika and Natalie, Nicole built a massive digital following on TikTok and YouTube after years in the country music industry.
The Formation of Taylor Red and Viral Success in Nashville
Born and raised in Mississippi, the identical triplets originally began making music together in 2010 under the name Red Roots, according to The Courier Mail. Nicole served as the group’s lead singer while playing guitar, banjo and violin alongside her sisters. The trio released three albums under their original moniker before rebranding as Taylor Red in 2018 and relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, as detailed by NBC News.
While the group had spent years knocking on traditional industry doors and released a debut album in 2011 followed by records like 2012’s The Middle of Nowhere and 2014’s Triplicity, their trajectory shifted dramatically in 2021. Their song “Country Money” went viral on TikTok, introducing their genre-blending harmonies of country, bluegrass, and Southern gospel to millions of online fans. By the time of Nicole’s passing, the group had amassed staggering digital numbers, including millions of followers on TikTok and over 16 million subscribers on YouTube, performing more than 1,000 live shows across America and internationally.
The 2022 Cancer Diagnosis and Aggressive Progression
In 2022, while out in a public place, Nicole received a phone call from her nurse with biopsy results revealing she had Stage 3 breast cancer, as Fox News reported. The sisters recalled that Nicole chose not to live in dread, adopting an optimistic outlook and declaring that God would use the experience for His glory. She continued her regular routine, famously participating in CrossFit workouts during her chemotherapy treatments.
According to the family’s statements across multiple reports, Nicole responded well initially and was declared evidence without disease. However, just nine months later, doctors informed her that the cancer had returned as Stage 4, giving her approximately three months to live. Defying that initial grim prognosis, Nicole lived for about another year, continuing to travel, work hard, and spend time with her family.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Band Origins | Formed as Red Roots in Mississippi in 2010, rebranded as Taylor Red in 2018. |
| Initial Diagnosis | Diagnosed with aggressive Stage 3 breast cancer in 2022. |
| Disease Progression | Cancer returned as Stage 4 nine months after being declared evidence without disease. |
| Passing | Died at age 35 on September 28 at her Nashville home; private funeral held. |
Surviving Sisters Share Emotional Loss and Memorial Plans
Nika and Natalie Taylor shared the emotional news with fans through an extensive video posted to YouTube and TikTok, admitting they were still processing the profound shock of the loss. “We honestly thought she’d be healed here on earth, but now she’s healed in heaven,” Nika said in the broadcast.
The grieving sisters created a dedicated memorial page for Nicole, honoring her as their fearless leader and best friend. As Euronews.com noted, the family has already held a private funeral service to bid their final farewells. Throughout their public statements, the surviving sisters emphasized that Nicole expressed an overwhelming sense of peace in her final days, reassuring them that she was no longer suffering.
