I was rather shocked to learn that Denise Matthews, better known as Vanity (and as D.D. Winters in her earliest films), passed away on February 15. I have to admit I was fairly unfamiliar with her music as part of Vanity 6 in the early 1980s, when she was hooked up with Prince. I instead knew her from movie roles in films such as Action Jackson, 52 Pick-Up, The Last Dragon, and Tanya's Island, and TV roles on shows like Miami Vice and Highlander.
Ms. Matthews had turned her back on Hollywood (and drug use) and become a Christian minister in the 1990s. She was quoted as saying "When I came to the Lord Jesus Christ, I threw out about 1,000 tapes of mine — interview, every tape, every video. Everything."
In my humble opinion, she was one of the loveliest women to grace the
1980s and beyond, and I was greatly saddened to learn of her death at 57
from "longstanding kidney issues." She also suffered from sclerosing
encapsulating peritonitis.
Thanks for your time.
Good Heavens, she was beautiful. I remember her with Prince. I don't know about the movie roles.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Yeah, she certainly was beautiful.
DeleteShe was too young. I remember her vaguely from Prince days but I have a feeling her body never got better due to her wild ways when she was young
ReplyDeleteIt's scary when the celebrities who are dying are younger than I am.
DeleteI've seen Action Jackson but I think that was it with her. Few ever turn their back on stupid Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteHer doing so seems to have bought her a few extra years, thankfully.
DeleteFrom Prince to being a minister, now that is quite a huge change, methinks. It seems she found her peace before death took her :(
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, that is quite a transformation.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you here.
I was not a big fan of her music (that I can remember) but I can sure greatly appreciate her physical/outward beauty.
ReplyDeleteYes, she was a stunner.
DeleteI find her really beautiful !
ReplyDeleteI was shocking when I heard she die and still so young !
xo
Me, too.
DeleteLast Dragon...I remember in that. Was she in a short time relationship with Prince?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, she was, yes.
DeleteShe was amazing in The Last Dragon, a real Lois Lane-type mashed up with Madonna. And then there was Action Jackson, her debut w/Prince, beig on Carson, she had it all goin on. With her haunting childhood I feel she fell prey to Hollywoods wreckless hazards and emptiness. I was shocked when she revealed becoming a Reverend because she witnessed a demon possession. Witness or hallucination she seemed very sweet and really nice, may she rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was really sad to hear of her death.
DeleteThanks for visiting my blog.
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