Source: Getty
Denise Katrina Matthews, better known as Vanity, the legendary lead singer of the famed girl group Vanity 6, passed away at a hospital in California on Monday, TMZ confirms.
She was 57 years old.
According to reports, Matthews has been battling kidney failure, more recently the singer was diagnosed with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, an inflammation of the small intestines.
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Vanity’s biggest hit came in 1982 with “Nasty Girl” … a song produced by Prince. The group toured with Prince on his 1999 tour, but she quit right after that. She went on to sign a solo record deal with Motown, and starred in movies like “The Last Dragon” and “Action Jackson.”
She eventually ditched Hollywood, quit drugs and became a born-again Christian in the mid ’90s. She remained active in her local church up until her death. We’re told she was in church on Saturday evening and told the congregation she was “ready to go home.”
The gorgeous Prince protégé was every man’s dream woman and the woman every girl wanted to be. She was our rock star. Her influence on Black women embracing their sexuality without apology, while owning their talents can not be denied.
Our condolences to Matthews’ family.
Rest in peace, Diva. Thank you for the memories, the music and the blueprint.
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