Denise ‘Vanity’ Matthews Has Died

Posted on February 16, 2016

2-16-2016-ERNIE ALLEN’S-TOP STORY

untitled.pngvanity

Multiple sources including MC Hammer and Minneapolis-based singer Jill Jones have confirmed via social media that Denise “Vanity” Matthews has died. She was reportedly 57 and had been battling a number of illnesses for the past several years.

Matthews was best known for her work in Prince’s girl group, Vanity 6 for which she was the lead singer while the two were dating. The Canadian-based actress/model was originally supposed to star in Purple Rain but left the group before the film starting shooting. She was replaced by Apollonia “Patty” Kotero in both the film and the group, who hit with “Sex Shooter” as Apollonia 6.

Vanity 6’s big hit was 1982’s “Nasty Girl” written and produced by Prince. Matthews went on to two solo albums with Motown star in the classic Black karate movie The Last Dragon with Taimak, Action Jackson and 52 Pick-Up. In recent years, Matthews, who struggled with a drug addiction, became a born-again Christian and started a ministry.

According to People Magazine, Matthews met Prince at the 1980 American Music Awards and they started dating. She was later engaged to Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx but the relationship was marred by heavy drug use by both. Matthews married former NFL star Anthony Smith who was just sentenced a few weeks ago to a life sentence for a triple murder. Matthews told Jet Magazine that she had renal failure and was on peritoneal dialysis for years. Matthews had recently experienced a health setback and was seeking funding to help pay for her medical bills via GoFundMe.
By Tonya Pendleton, BlackAmericaWeb.com

Blogs

SNOOP DOGG’S BIOPIC COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN

SNOOP DOGG’S BIOPIC COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN

Snoop Dogg, the West Coast rap icon turned cultural mainstay, is officially bringing his life story to the big screen. Read more about Snoop’s upcoming biopic, film and TV deal with Universal inside. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Doggfather has signed a multi-year first-look deal with NBCUniversal through his Death Row Pictures banner, solidifying a…

SNOOP AND NBC

SNOOP AND NBC

NBC is going from being the Peacock network to the Canine network after inking a new deal with Snoop Dogg. Snoop’s Death Row Pictures has inked a multi-year creative partnership with NBC Universal. Part of the deal will bring him back to The Voice next season, and he’ll continue his cross-platform appearances, like he did…

SHANNON SHARPE ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

SHANNON SHARPE ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Shannon Sharpe is being accused of sexual assault and battery. A civil lawsuit filed in Nevada by Jane Doe says she and Sharpe were in a “rocky consensual relationship” for almost two years. The woman claims that Sharpe recorded their sexual relations without her permission. Jane Doe said the infamous live stream where Sharpe allegedly…

SZA HAS A NEW MAKE UP LINE

SZA HAS A NEW MAKE UP LINE

SZA‘s new business venture is Not Beauty — literally. She just launched a new cosmetic line under the label. Fans at Grand National Tour stops this weekend were the first to get their hands on products from the new line. The initial offering includes a trio of lip glosses, called In the Flesh, Strawberry Jelly and Quartz,…

Headlines