When you began going around the country to preach, was it hard for folks to get past the fact that you was the same chick that was moaning "Nasty Girl" in her underwear?Getting past my past? Well, that was a process, a very serious process indeed. My God. As a person, [I'm] constantly changing, trying to be better. Back when I was Vanity, it was all about being sexy, getting slimmer, and getting cuter. Things have changed. Now it's not the outward appearance, it's the inward man that I'm trying to change. And that's the message I bring to the people. How often do you get the 'Aren't you Vanity?' line?
[Laughs] You know, it depends on where I'm at. If I'm going into a different city, like in the Midwest or back East, I get it quite a bit. Where I live today [Fremont, California], I believe that God chose this place for me because I don't get a whole lot of people that recognize me. And that doesn't bother me. The ones that do recognize me, I always switch [the question] that they give me to salvation. Your book is very open about your wild partying lifestyle and past cocaine abuse. At one point you were nearly on your deathbed in 1994, blind and deaf, after suffering a stroke, kidney failure and a heart attack. What do you say to the cynical bastard that thinks that most celebrities find religion when it's convenient?
Well, we all make the mistake of thinking, and I did too so many times, that God did this to us. But we kill ourselves and choose who we want to be. I put the drugs in my mouth, I did the fornication, I had all the lust, and I chose the way of "sex sells." I wanted to be famous and rich. I chose to be Vanity.
Matthews with Prince in 1983
Your turbulent romantic relationship with Prince, who gave you the name Vanity and created and produced Vanity 6, is the stuff of rock 'n' roll legend. Is it true that when you first met Prince at the American Music Awards in January of '82, that you arrived with Rick James and left with Mr. Nelson? People have so many renditions of what I did [laughing]. I remember one time somebody said that the reason I left Prince was because I was having his baby [laughing]. Do they make this stuff up? You have to read my book to find out what really happened. Are you shocked at Prince becoming a Jehovah's Witness? This from the same cat who basically inspired explicit lyrics stickers and was a walking sex act in high heels.
I believe that God is calling him (Prince) like he is calling many others. I cannot judge Prince's heart. Everything takes time, so my heart is just to pray for him and that he finds what he's looking for just as I pray for myself as I continue to find my own way because you can be on the path one day and then go off the wrong path the next. Obviously, some fans are going to buy your book to read about your wild days as a sex symbol. But what do you really want readers to get out of The Black Box?
I think it's important to understand the title of my book. The black box is the only thing that survives a plane crash, and I want people to know that I'm a survivor. I go to wherever God calls me, wherever the church calls me to come to minister and preach the word of God. God told me, "Speak the kingdom of God with all your heart, mind, body, soul, and strength. . . seek the kingdom of God first." In the beginning I was planning on naming it Blame It On Vanity. . . Denise, but I wanted to separate myself from the sinful name that made me famous. Vanity means worthlessness, and that's the last thing I want to be known for. And I'm not worthless anymore. My name is Denise.
Denise Matthews today
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Comments
1.
Pumkin says:
view profile
I read the article in the recent Jet magazine and it was very inspiring to know Denise is going through the same health issues as I am I too am on peritoneal dialysis and I have kidney failure also. I have a daughter with sickle cell disease and in remission with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and parotid gland tumor. Life is tough, but when you know your not alone it helps. I'm glad Denise found God, and I hope she reaches out to me. I have a tendency of giving up hope because of being overwhelmed and stricken with grief. Keep up the good work Denise and pray for me.
November 22, 2007 at 7:07 pm
2.
Terry Gibson says:
I had a crush on her when I was a kid. I wae really inspierd by what I read about her last night. Never knew what happen to her just happen to see her on Youtube and now im a real fan for life.
November 16, 2007 at 9:29 am
3.
NEXUS/ SOHO NY STREET MUSICFRAMES says:
STILL AS BEAUTIFULL AS EVER!!!!!
SOHO N.Y STREET MUSIC CHECK THE MYSPACE SEE WHAT IM DOING I WOULD LOVE TO SEND YOU SOME SONGLASSES, NEXBLIKIES=FUTER!
November 9, 2007 at 10:31 am
4.
SoberJ says:
Bless you Denise,
We are close in age (I was born in 1962) and I went through the fast and hard living growing up in LA in the 80's with the substance and alcohol abuse. The sky was the limit back then. Now I am in recovery and working with others seeking recovery. The beautiful thing is that many will see your past and your transformation and see you now living God's Will. You are transformed through His Grace and you are a true inspiration to me. You have always been a strong, powerful and influencial woman and I am grateful that you are using your God given power and influence to bring people to Christ. May God continue to bless you and your work. I look forward to your book.
October 24, 2007 at 10:53 pm
5.
tonia says:
Deanise AKA VANITY
I'm very happy to hear that you found GOD .what age did you truly find GOD?
October 24, 2007 at 9:54 pm
6.
tonia says:
Denise, What do you think about the artist today? And do you think that things are getting worst. Do you feel that you started the today generation with sex craze addicts.? r had somthing to do with it
October 24, 2007 at 9:46 pm
7.
Danielle says:
i'm a 25 year old young woman from new york. i am still a fan. i never new about the drug use until a few months ago. i am a new fan. i am a christian. i just thought that she was and still is a beautiful ageles singer, actress that inspired me. thank God she is healed.
October 14, 2007 at 10:33 pm
8.
CECIL THOMAS says:
I AM STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU SISTER AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU.
October 11, 2007 at 2:09 pm
9.
strategic says:
Deniell said, "If you believe that GOD calls anyone to the Jehovah's Witnesses, then you are not a Christian, because the Holy Spirit which you claim indwells you knows better."
Hey, Deniell, learn to understand. She didn't say that God called Prince to be a Jehovah's Witness, or that she approved of Prince's decision.
She said she believes that God is working on Prince, and in that context, that Prince even "trying out" being a Jehovah's Witness is a sign that he is looking for something else at this point in his life, so she's going to keep praying for him so that he gets there.
That's exactly what she said: "I cannot judge Prince's heart. Everything takes time, so my heart is just to pray for him and that he finds what he's looking for..."
Stop jumping to conclusions. She didn't say that she approved of Jehovah's Witnesses. She said that she hopes Prince finds what he's looking for, and that she's going to keep praying for him, which is what Christians are supposed to do.
October 9, 2007 at 12:11 am
10.
Johnny says:
i was only 2yrs old when NASTY GIRL came out! till this day i still hear it in clubs! I give her props cuz whatever she did GOOD or BAD ..she went all the way and it takes a strong & beautiful soul to go through that!
September 4, 2007 at 7:13 pm
11.
1whowouldntshare says:
i was there in '83 and feel terrible she had such demons!
August 28, 2007 at 4:18 pm
12.
rowena says:
where can I buy vanity 6 in detroit mi
August 13, 2007 at 1:44 pm
13.
amuthan says:
supper
July 14, 2007 at 3:50 am
14.
david aidoo says:
ferkn nknghin ijgse[,jr knknff iv efovn mo jokv0vepiowif=-orpff jnok;chjjdkdh ghb huhjiiwfdyb ififdwhdpoqfduj 9ojuj oo oo u oj ou uh njci 7gnjh ifuhfufbjc n[km pm kjfyg tyihk mijhg jfih ihjuhgh nigijhtinn
July 12, 2007 at 11:17 pm
15.
dert says:
no thing
July 11, 2007 at 4:09 am
16.
Grigori says:
I personally know "Denise" aka Vanity. I have been in contact with her recently. I wonder if that rumor the article spoke of...(stolen from Rick James) mayeb that's where she got the coke-head habit from. I know how everyone rumors that Prince is a coke head musician. She was offering me to buy a hand-made book from her for $250.00 or more. I have her cell I might call her and order it now.
July 7, 2007 at 11:02 pm
17.
purplesista says:
The comment that Deniell made on may 30th was stupid. I find that so many people are quick to denounce someone elses faith, but they don't want anyone denouncing or making fun of theirs. As far as I'm concern people have the right to worship as they see fit to. If you notice, religious people seemed to attack each other more than those who are not. No one has the right to say that someone elses faith is wrong or bad. Just like all muslins are not fantical and killers. Don't forget all religions have killed or tortured in the name of god. Catholics and Protestants alike. Which is why i belive in god and i serve him without joining any particular faith. You have good and bad in EVERY faith.
July 1, 2007 at 9:01 am
18.
MonicathePRINCEFAM69 says:
Oh please she never had a love affair with Prince. He likes women with a lot less mileage. That was a publicity stunt..
June 30, 2007 at 9:09 pm
19.
Qa'id says:
God Bless Ms. Matthews. Thanx 4 the article ...
June 30, 2007 at 4:11 pm
20.
DeNise says:
You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life at that time and today.
June 25, 2007 at 12:28 pm
21.
Parker says:
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June 15, 2007 at 8:08 pm
22.
blkkat says:
Im so happy for Denise I havent read the book, hopefully I will find it in the Australian bookstores. Its great to hear that you have faith in God as I am a Muslim who is a believer in God as well, which I respect & believe that all religions are their to guide us in being a better human being.
June 11, 2007 at 9:55 am
23.
Latoya K. says:
I enjoyed this ariticle. I have a comment for one of the readers Deniell, You can not quote the Lord's word Judging (Denise) if you read the article carefully she was doing what the lord want us all to do to be positive and not judge, She never once stated she agreed with Prince's chose, she said all she could do is pray for him.
June 1, 2007 at 2:59 pm
24.
Tiffany says:
Where is the book??? How can we purchase it? I am dying to read, and can not find it anywhere on the internet.
June 1, 2007 at 10:53 am
25.
Tanya says:
Would love to know what happen to susan moonsie from the group . This was nice to let the people of the 80s see and here how the top people are doing today,she is still a beautiful woman,did she every have children?
May 31, 2007 at 10:02 pm
26.
Hewitt R. Joyner III says:
I think this article is very important. Denise has made a 180-degree change for the better. What I mean by that is, Denise has found herself, which takes some people a lifetime to do. I loved Vanity 6, but that was back in the day, I applaud any Afro-American who realizes that they are on the wrong path and then change that path and their future. Younger Afro-American woman need to read this article, so that they know that they too can change if they want to.
Hewitt R. Joyner III
May 31, 2007 at 1:55 pm
27.
Rich says:
Thanks for the lastest on Denise. God will keep her safe. What info do you have on what happen to Sada
May 31, 2007 at 1:05 pm
28.
Sara says:
Let the Lord keep guiding you to the right path. You are an inspiration to women. God Bless You Always
May 31, 2007 at 12:28 pm
29.
vanita says:
Loved the follow-up on this artist. I am glad she is doing well. I will be buying the book.
May 31, 2007 at 12:20 pm
30.
D. Stokes says:
Please fill me in on what is happening with the group Silk. Where are they now.
May 30, 2007 at 11:42 pm
31.
D. Mays says:
PLEASE FIND TRACEY SPENCER NEXT!
May 30, 2007 at 3:21 pm
32.
Deniell says:
If you believe that GOD calls anyone to the Jehovah's Witnesses, then you are not a Christian, because the Holy Spirit which you claim indwells you knows better. Jehovah's Witnesses are anti-christs and false prophets used by Satan to mislead people away from Him and His Father.
May 30, 2007 at 11:30 am