’80s singer and Prince protege Vanity is dead at the age of 57.
TMZ reports Denise Katrina Matthews, the leader of girl group Vanity 6, died in a California hospital Monday after a long battle with kidney failure and abdominal illness. A few months ago, she told fans she had been diagnosed with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, an inflammation of the small intestines, and sought help through a GoFundMe page.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Matthews’ kidney failure was related to years of crack cocaine abuse. After an overdose in 1994, she had to get dialysis treatments almost daily.
Vanity 6 had a hit with “Nasty Girl,” produced by Prince, in 1982. Matthews left the group after opening for Prince on his “1999” tour and released two solo albums for Motown Records.
Matthews also had a career as a model, dancer and actress, with roles in movies like “The Last Dragon” and “Action Jackson.” She later became a born-again Christian and released a cautionary tale, “Blame It on Vanity.”
Sources told TMZ that she went to church Saturday and told supporters she was “ready to go home.”
