Taylor Red vocalist Nicole Taylor dies at 35 after beating Stage 4 prognosis

Nicole Taylor, the lead vocalist for the country trio Taylor Red, died on Sept. 28, 2026, at age 35. Her sisters, Nika and Natalie Taylor, confirmed the death in a statement released on the group's website. The family held a private funeral service to honor her.

The death concludes a four-year medical battle that began in 2022 when Taylor was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. In an Instagram video released Monday, her sisters detailed the trajectory of her illness and her approach to treatment. They described her as having faced the disease fearlessly, noting that she continued to perform physical activities like CrossFit during her chemotherapy sessions.

Initially, Taylor responded well to treatment and was declared to have no evidence of disease. However, her condition deteriorated approximately nine months after that initial clearance. Her sisters stated that doctors delivered a more serious diagnosis, identifying the cancer as Stage 4. At that point, medical professionals estimated she had about three months to live, a timeline that could extend only if treatments proved effective.

Taylor exceeded that initial prognosis by living for another full year. Natalie Taylor said her sister remained hopeful and continued to travel and work. Nika Taylor recalled that when asked about her prognosis, Nicole told her family, 'Everybody's gonna face judgment, and I'm ready to.' The sisters emphasized that Nicole maintained a steady faith throughout the process.

The Taylor sisters began their musical career in 2010 under the name Red Roots. They released their debut album in 2011, followed by 'The Middle of Nowhere' in 2012 and 'Triplicity' in 2014. In 2015, the trio signed with Inpop Records and rebranded as Taylor Red. The group released the track 'Country Money' in 2021 while Nicole was actively managing her health.

Nika Taylor said in the video that the family is still shocked by the news. She noted that while the loss is sudden, the sisters find comfort in the belief that Nicole is no longer suffering. The family cited a promise of ultimate healing as a source of strength in the immediate aftermath of the death.