The Highs and Lows of Singer Formerly Known as Vanity [Video]

In the 1980s, Canadian-born singer and actress Denise Matthews was considered one of the sexiest women in the entertainment industry. A chance encounter with Prince at the American Music Awards landed her a spot leading a hot new girl group and give her a brand-new stage name – Vanity.

But years of partying and drug use would eventually take a toll on her health and lead to her untimely death at age 57.

This is the story of Vanity.

Denise Matthews was born January 4, 1959, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. One of three sisters, her mother was of Polish-Jewish descent, and her father was African-American. After modeling and competing in pageants in and around Toronto, she moved to New York City as a teenager to further her career.

Matthews met Prince in 1980at the American Music Awards, an encounter that would kick off their steamy personal and …