Posted by | Ray Cornelius 

One of my childhood crushes passed away today. Denise Katrina Matthews aka Vanity has died at the age of 57.

According to TMZ, the former entertainer turned evangelist, had suffered from kidney failure and an abdominal illness. She was most recently diagnosed with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis — an inflammation of the small intestines and passed away in a Fremont, California hospital.

Vanity was probably best known as the lead singer of Prince‘s seductive 80’s girl group Vanity 6 and their monster club hit single, “Nasty Girl.” Vanity also had booming film career in the 80’s and 90’s appearing in “52 Pick-Up,” “Never Too Young to Die,” “Action Jackson” and my personal favorite “The Last Dragon.”

According to music legend, Matthews received her name “Vanity” from Prince who said that he saw his female reflection when looking at her.

Matthews eventually left the entertainment industry during the mid 90’s after becoming a born-again Christian and devoted the rest of her life to evangelism.

RIP Angel!!

Check out Matthews as the beautiful “Laura Charles in “The Last Dragon” below:

Photo Credit: VK.com