80s superstar Vanity, born Denise Matthews, passed away on Monday night. Sources close to her family reported to TMZ that the singer died after a long battle with kidney failure, and an abdominal ailment called Sclerosis Encapsulating Peritonitis, a rare cause of the obstruction of the bowels.
Long time friend, MC Hammer relayed that the star fell ill Sunday night, and reportedly testified in church Saturday evening that she was “ready to go home.”
I was looking for her Sunday and the announcement came that she fell ill during the night,she ended up on life support She loved the Lord 🙏🏿
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) February 16, 2016
Matthews was best known as the lead singer of Vanity 6, whose top hit was “Nasty Girl”, produced by none other than Prince.
Matthews was also featured in a number of movies from ‘The Last Dragon’ to ‘Never Too Young to Die’ and of course Action Jackson.
By the mid 90’s, the singer decided to find God and a church home, where up until her death, she remained an active and faithful evangelist. After an overdose in 1994, her kidneys were no longer in good working condition, which forced her to undergo dialysis almost daily. She made the choice to take up the reins of her life and leave Hollywood and her drug addiction where it stood.
Twitter sent in their condolences:
SADDEN my FRIEND IN CHRIST gone 2day. Vanity, Denise Matthews. MISS YOU DEARLY. U ARE IN HIS ARMS NOW, NO Pain pic.twitter.com/UbCWtl8brc
— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) February 16, 2016
🙏🏿Today my friend & Sister Denise Katrina Matthews p/k/a #Vanity passed away. She absolutely loved GOD unto salvation. Rest in his Glory 🙏🏿
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) February 16, 2016
Love you #Vanity pic.twitter.com/KvRGMM7rFL
— LizzLocker (@Lizzs_Lockeroom) February 16, 2016
I will be watching #TheLastDragon repeatedly this week. 🙁 RIP #Vanity
— Angela Burgin Logan (@AngelaBLogan) February 16, 2016
#Vanity the PROTOTYPE!!! Rest well .. pic.twitter.com/OspZQPONF3
— KWAMÈ (@KWAMEDIDIT) February 16, 2016
