Vanity | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Vanity_1984.jpg) Vanity in 1984 | |
| Born | Denise Katherine Matthews January 4, 1959 Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | February 15, 2016 (aged 57) Fremont, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Denise Matthews-Smith, D. D. Winters |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, model, actress |
| Years active | 1977–1993 |
| Spouse | |
| Partner(s) | Prince (1982–1983) Nikki Sixx (1986–1988) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | |
Denise Katherine Matthews (January 4, 1959 – February 15, 2016), known professionally as Vanity, was a Canadian singer, model, and actress. Known for her image as a sex symbol in the 1980s, she became an evangelist and renounced her career as Vanity in the 1990s.[1]
Vanity was the lead singer of the female trio Vanity 6, which was created by the musician Prince. Known for their 1982 hit song "Nasty Girl", they disbanded in 1983, when she decided to embark on a solo career. Vanity released two solo albums on the Motown Records label, Wild Animal and Skin on Skin. She had minor hit singles with "Pretty Mess", "Mechanical Emotion", "Under the Influence", and "Undress" from the 1988 film Action Jackson. Vanity also had a successful career as an actress, starring in the films The Last Dragon (1985), and 52 Pick-Up (1986), and Action Jackson.
After years of drug abuse, which caused health issues, Matthews became a born-again Christian in 1992. She later devoted herself to her church in Fremont, California. Matthews died on February 15, 2016, at age 57, due to kidney failure.[2]
- ^ Rosenberg, Eli (February 16, 2016). "Denise Matthews, Pop Singer Known as Vanity, Dies at 57". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- ^ Stutz, Colin (February 15, 2016). "Vanity, Former Prince Protégé & Leader of the Vanity 6, Dies at 57". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2022.