<p>Vanity, also known as Denise Matthews (1959-2016), was a singer and actress known for her beautiful looks and her sexy, sultry voice. Born in Niagra Falls, Canada, she went to become a model in New York
... <p>Vanity, also known as Denise Matthews (1959-2016), was a singer and actress known for her beautiful looks and her sexy, sultry voice. Born in Niagra Falls, Canada, she went to become a model in New York City and Japan. She later began her acting debut in Terror Train and Tanya's Island. Vanity was discovered by Prince in 1982. She later formed Vanity 6 with Susan Moonsie and Brenda Bennett. Vanity 6 recorded the hit singles "If a Girl Answers (Don't Hang Up)", "Drive Me Wild," and the #1 hit single, "Nasty Girl". After the group disbanded, Vanity recorded her solo debut album Wild Animal in 1984. It included the hit singles, "Mechanical Emotion", "Strap On 'Robbie Baby'", "Samuelle", and "Pretty Mess". Two years later, she recorded her second album Skin on Skin which included her hits, "Skin on Skin" and "Under the Influence". Vanity appered in numerous films and TV shows, however, she was struggling with drug addiction and health issues including kidney failure. She later recovered and became a born again Christian by ditching her persona and her sexy image. She left the entertainment industry to become an evangelist speaking at churches worldwide. In 2015, Denise Matthews wrote her autobigraphy, Blame It on Vanity: Hollywood, Heaven and Hell, which chronicled her life in show business to her spiritual calling as a pastor. She passed away a year later on February 15, 2016 from kidney failure. <span style="font-size: 0.85em;"> </span></p>
