Denise Matthews, formerly known as Vanity, was born on January 4th, 1959, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The singer, songwriter, and actress was known for her vixen persona, synth-funk sound, and acting stints. She began her career in show business as a model, competing in pageants throughout Canada. Her modeling eventually took her to New York, where she acted in commercials and some films. She would not be introduced into the music world until the 1980 American Music Awards show, where she met Prince. The pair became a brief item, and she took the lead role in his girl group, Vanity 6, becoming known as a “Prince girl”.

Under her fierce lead, Vanity 6 opened for Prince’s tour of 1999 album, and became a hit with song “Nasty Girl”. The track would go #1 on Billboards dance charts and helped spread the pop/funk/rock fusion sound of the era. She became known as a sex symbol of the 80s, promoting the fishnet, choker, body suit and high boots look, paired with explicit lyrics and stage presence. Matthews also appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone during this time. In 1983 the group would disband after an offer from Motown Records for her to go solo. She began writing her own lyrics and melodies, releasing her debut album, Wild Animal in 1984. Keeping her sexy persona, her sophomore album Skin on Skin, was feautured in film Action Jackson, which she also had a role in. Matthews began acting in Blaxploitation-esque films like Action Jackson, as well as The Last Dragon, as love interest to actor Berry Gordy. She also appeared in Miami Vice, 52 Pick-Up, Playboy, and played the love interest of John Stamos in Never Too Young To Die, with Gene Simmons playing the villain.

Sadly, the ‘Vanity’ lifestyle led to frequent drug abuse landing the songstress hospitalized on many occasions. She sobered up after a near fatale incident, leaving her music persona behind. She became a highly devoted Christian, eventually becoming a Minister. She details her struggles and faith in her autobiography Blame it on Vanity, published in 2010. Matthews spoke outwardly against her former lifestyle and lived a devoted life after renouncing her former self. Unfortunately, the effects of her prolonged drug use were too severe; Matthews passed away from kidney ailments on February 15th, 2016, at only 57.