Country music lost a bright, warm voice this fall. Nicole Taylor of Taylor Red, the trio she formed with her identical triplet sisters, died on September 28, 2026, at age 35. She had been fighting breast cancer since 2022.
Her sisters, Natalie and Nika, shared the news with fans on November 2. For millions of people who found the band on TikTok, it was a heavy day. So here’s a look back at Nicole’s life, her music and the brave way she faced her illness.
Updated: November 2026
Nicole Taylor at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Nicole Taylor |
| Band | Taylor Red (first known as Red Roots) |
| Bandmates | Her triplet sisters, Natalie and Nika Taylor |
| Hometown | South Mississippi |
| Based in | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Best-known song | “Country Money” (2021) |
| Died | September 28, 2026, at home in Nashville |
| Age | 35 |
How Her Sisters Shared the News
Natalie and Nika announced Nicole’s death on Monday, November 2. They posted on social media and shared a YouTube video called “We Lost Our Triplet Sister Nicole.” They also wrote a tribute on the band’s official website.
In that statement, they called Nicole “our leader and our best friend.” In the video, they said she’s now “at peace and no longer suffering.” Later, they added a short Instagram clip with the Bible verse John 3:16.
Their faith shows in every word they shared. As Nika put it, “now she’s healed in heaven.” Honestly, it’s hard to watch their video without tearing up.
Her Fearless Fight With Breast Cancer
Nicole was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2022. Her sisters later described it as “very aggressive.” Even so, she refused to let fear run her life.
During chemotherapy, she kept doing CrossFit. Her mother and sisters drove her to treatments, while her brother worked out with her several times a week. At first, the treatment worked, and doctors found no evidence of the disease.
Sadly, the cancer came back at stage 4. Doctors told her she had about three months to live. Instead, she lived roughly another year, and she used that time to travel and enjoy life.
According to her sisters, Nicole’s attitude was simple: “we’re not going to live in dread.” That one line says a lot about who she was.
From Mississippi Fish Fries to Big Stages
The Taylor triplets grew up in South Mississippi, where their parents owned a John Deere dealership. Nicole was the oldest, one minute ahead of Natalie and two minutes ahead of Nika.
Their mom encouraged the girls to sing together, so they started out at fish fries in their hometown. Their parents drove them to early shows and hauled their instruments. By age 10, the sisters had a band. Then, at 17, they decided to go all in.
“Soon, we were playing 100 dates a year,” Nicole told People in 2021. Together, the trio played guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin, and they grew up loving The Chicks and The Judds.
At first, they performed as Red Roots and released independent albums such as Triplicity in 2014. Then, in 2018, they became Taylor Red. Over the years, they played more than 1,000 shows, including dates in Norway and Canada. They also opened for stars like Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Diamond Rio and the late Charlie Daniels.
How TikTok and “Country Money” Changed Everything
Like many artists, the sisters turned to TikTok during the pandemic. That move changed everything. Their funny videos, music challenges and weekly livestreams, where fans helped write songs, built a huge following fast.
By 2021, they had more than 7 million followers. Later, their following grew to about 13.4 million, according to USA TODAY. Nicole loved how open the platform felt. “It gives everyone a chance,” she told People.
That same year, Taylor Red released “Country Money,” produced by Ilya Toshinsky. The upbeat song passed 100,000 Spotify streams in under a month. It also landed on Spotify playlists like Wild Country and New Music Nashville.
On top of that, Variety named the trio one of six all-female bands blowing up on TikTok. Meanwhile, brands came calling, too. For example, the sisters starred in a national Sonic Drive-In ad campaign in 2020 and 2021.
Why Nicole Taylor and Taylor Red Mattered
Taylor Red built their audience the hard way, one show and one video at a time. In our view, that’s about the most country thing a band can do.
Nicole called herself the “rocker rebel” of the group, and you could feel that spark in their videos. Still, fans will remember most how she faced the hardest years of her life. She chose joy over fear, and her sisters made sure the world knew it.
Music has lost several big names since last fall, including soul icon D’Angelo and KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. Nicole’s story hits differently, though, because she was only 35.
Nicole Taylor of Taylor Red: Your Questions Answered
Who was Nicole Taylor?
Nicole Taylor was a country singer and one-third of Taylor Red. She formed the trio with her identical triplet sisters, Natalie and Nika. The sisters grew up in South Mississippi and later became a TikTok hit with millions of followers.
How did Nicole Taylor die?
Nicole died of breast cancer on September 28, 2026, at her home in Nashville. Doctors first diagnosed her in 2022, and the cancer later returned at stage 4.
How old was Nicole Taylor?
She was 35 years old. Out of the three triplets, Nicole was the oldest by one minute.
What is Taylor Red’s best-known song?
“Country Money,” released in 2021, is one of their best-known songs. It spread quickly on TikTok and landed on Spotify editorial playlists.
A Final Note
Nicole Taylor spent her life making music with the two people who knew her best. She’s gone far too soon, but those triplet harmonies will keep playing on fans’ phones for years.
Our thoughts are with Natalie, Nika and the whole Taylor family. Do you have a favorite Taylor Red song or video? Share it in the comments below.