**Update Feb 15th, 2016**
Sadly I received confirmation from a trusted source close to Denise Katrina Matthews that the Evangelist, formerly known as Vanity, passed away Monday, February 15th, 2016 at the age of 57. Please enjoy the page below dedicated to her life (written before her passing). Check this out for the full update on her death. Please keep her friends, fans, and family in your thoughts and prayers…
The Life of Denise Katrina Matthews
You know her as Vanity but she’s an Evangelist now and isn’t fond of that name nor the wild lifestyle she once lived. She goes by her real name, Denise Matthews, but in 1985 she was every boy’s crush as the lovely Laura Charles in The Last Dragon. With her beauty and flirtatious style, she is one of the big reasons a lot of guys and girls love The Last Dragon.
Laura Charles
Although Ms. Matthews looks back on her 80’s and early 90’s life in a negative way I’ve been told she has very fond memories of The Last Dragon. She really shouldn’t feel the same about her role in the 1985 film, it may be one of the only positive things she did in the 80’s. The Last Dragon does have a small amount of questionable language but overall it’s a very uplifting and spiritual film that has had a positive effect on many people. On top of that, she plays Laura Charles with a playful charm & elegance in contrast to her sexualized rockstar off-screen persona at the time. Tony Douglas sums it up nicely in his YouTube review of The Last Dragon:
“…the icing on the cake however is the performance by sultry pop star Vanity who radiates a sweetness seldom seen in her other work” ~Tony Douglas, Rating The Movies
Roger Ebert, one of the most well-known movie critics of all-time, while reviewing The Last Dragon called her a remarkably attractive and likable actress and had great things to say about her performance:
“…let it be said that she has the sort of rapport with the camera that makes us like her instantly; she has a sunny smile, and what can only be described as a sort of inner happiness, and in the middle of this plot about gangsters and night clubs and bloody fights, she floats serenely, a joy to behold…” ~ Roger Ebert, RogerEbert.com
Background & Family
Denise Katrina Matthews is Canadian, born January 4, 1959, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Ethnically she is mixed with Black and White. Her father was Black and her mother, Helga Senyk, is German of Polish and Jewish descent. She has 3 sisters, Deborah Helga Matthews-Brown, Patricia Dalton Matthews & Renay Matthews. Deborah and Patricia were both models. At one time, Patricia dated Eddie Murphy. She even had a small role in Coming to America as the devil worshipper that Eddie and Arsenio Hall met in the club when Prince Akeem was looking for his Queen. Deborah was a top model over several decades in San Francisco known only as Deborah.
Before The Last Dragon
In the late 70’s before moving to Toronto and then New York to model, Matthews competed in beauty pageants in the Niagara Falls, Ontario area. In 1978 she competed for Miss Canada. Her acting debut, as D.D. Winters, was in 1980 with small roles in Klondike Fever and Terror Train. In the same year, she starred in the B-movie Tanya’s Island.
Prince & Vanity 6
At the 1982 American Music Awards, she met Prince; who renamed her Vanity because he said he saw his female reflection in her. Initially, he wanted to her to go by Vagina but Denise was not down with that. Prince made Vanity the lead singer of the popular 80’s rock group “Vanity 6”. The group’s biggest hit was “Nasty Girl” in 1982.
She was the cover model for two of Cameo’s Album’s “Alligator Women” in 1982 and “She’s Strange” in 1984 and was set to play the role Apollonia played in Prince’s 1984 movie “Purple Rain”. Due to a dispute with Prince (with whom she was romantically involved) she refused the role and decided to play Laura Charles in The Last Dragon instead.
She put out one album with “Vanity 6”, 2 solo albums and a few soundtrack singles including “7th Heaven” on The Last Dragon Soundtrack (1985). Her biggest hits after “Nasty Girl” where: “Pretty Mess” from her 1984 album “Wild Animal”, “Under the Influence” (Skin on Skin 1986), and “Faraway Eyes” & “Undress” from the Action Jackson Soundtrack (1988).
Vanity performs “Undress” in Action Jackson
Denise Matthews’ TV and Movie Career after The Last Dragon
She co-starred with Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed from Rocky) in another 80’s Classic “Action Jackson” in 1988. After The Last Dragon, she also starred in “Never Too Young To Die” with John Stamos, “52 Pick-up” with Roy Schneider, “Neon City” with Michael Ironside and many TV Shows like “Miami Vice”, “Friday the 13th”, “Tales from the Crypt” and “Highlander” right through the 80’s and into the late 90’s.
There are several links at the bottom of this page to YouTube videos of some of her work. Vanity also blessed the cover of Playboy twice. Once in May 1985 and again in April 1988.
Vanity’s Love Life
In the 80’s and 90’s, she was romantically linked to several rock stars including Billy Idol, Adam Ant, and Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx. In 1995 she married NFL player Anthony Smith who played defensive end for the LA/Oakland Raiders. They divorced in 1996, a good thing because in 2011 and 2012 Smith was charged with 4 murders occurring between 1999-2008.
What is Denise “Vanity” Matthews doing now?
Denise became a born-again Christian in 1994 after her “Rockstar” lifestyle almost took her life and now devotes her life to evangelism. She now speaks at churches across the United States and worldwide and lives in Fremont, California.
Even after a kidney transplant in 1997, she continues to suffer from debilitating & life-threatening kidney disease from all the damage that was done from years of heroin & cocaine abuse. Over the years she has had 23 surgeries & continues dialysis 3 x’s a week.
She won’t sign it Vanity these days but Denise Matthews does sell autographed photos to help cover her medical bills, support the republishing of her autobiography, “BLAME IT ON VANITY” & fund her work in the ministry.
From her GoFundMe page:
“I have been saved in Jesus over 23 years now and entirely blessed to be alive. I know my testimony has saved so many people from Unforgivenes, Abuse and being abused, drug addiction, hollywood and the games thereof, lusts of the flesh and especially from Suicide. For this is am raising funds for my life’s work in the ministry my book and as I said before my ongoing bills.” ~Denise Matthews
For more information on her autobiography “Blame it on Vanity: The Autobiography of Evangelist Denise Matthews formerly known as Vanity ” Go to: Blame it On Vanity. It can be purchased on Amazon and her website.
Follow and Connect with Denise Matthews
Twitter: @blamevanity
Instagram: @blameitonvanity
Facebook Fan Page: Facebook Fan Page
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/denise.matthews.980
Go Fund Me: www.gofundme.com/esiy74
Website: www.blameitonvanity.com
Recent Photos of Denise Matthews
Some more great pictures of Denise “Vanity” Matthews
For more great Denise Matthews photos check out this huge Gallery of Denise “Vanity” Matthews Photos on Pinterest
For more Denise “Vanity” Matthews check out these other links and Videos:
- Denise Matthews on Twitter
- Denise Matthews on Instagram
- Denise Matthews Facebook Fan Page
- Denise Matthews on IMDB
- I Love Vanity from The Last Dragon Facebook Group
- Vanity on Highlander the TV Series – 1991
- Vanity in Trailer for Neon City – 1991 – with Michael Ironside and Lyle Alzado
- Vanity in Tales from the Crypt TV Episode “Dead Wait” -1991 – part 1 of 4
- Vanity in Memories of Murder – 1990 – interview
- Trailer for Action Jackson – 1988 – another 80’s classic with Carl Weathers and Craig T. Nelson
- Action Jackson part 1 of 10 – 1988 – takes you to YouTube where can watch the rest of the movie in 10 parts
- Vanity on Miami Vice – 1987
- Vanity in Never too young to die trailer – 1986 – with John Stamos and Gene Simmons- who plays a transvestite rockstar
- Never too young to die on YouTube – 1986 – in 9 parts
- Vanity on episode of “Friday the 13th” -part 1 of 5 – 1989
- Vanity in the trailer for “52 Pick up” – 1986
- Vanity in Tanya’s Island (Trailer) – 1980 – This is a strange one
- Vanity in Terror Train -1980- for about 5 seconds
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TheLastDragonTribute.com is a blog dedicated to The Last Dragon fan community with the goal of keeping The Glow alive! It was started by a fan for the fans. Follow us from the links below for your daily dose of the Glow!
Glad she got her life together and is now an inspiration to others i would of never guessed a beauriful woman such as her would be another statistic by being subjected to hollywoods drug abuse and fast life style.
Yes, glad she turned to Christ. She has a great voice and is a beautiful woman.
May she rest in the arms of Jesus. What a testimony she shared with the world. Jesus saved her for a purpose and she will receive an awesome reward. Praise the Lord for her.
HEADS: UP-VANITY -SIXX:
…….CAME FROM HOLLYWOOD…..
SHE GOT BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME:
GOT THE HOLY GHOST:…..AND SPOKE IN TONGUES:
AND JESUS CHRIST SAVED HET SOUL:
YESTERDAY EVENING: SHE CALLED ON ………
JESUS NAME……AT THE HOSPITAL:
AND SAID -LORD JESUS TAKE ME HOME, TO LIVE WITH YOU:
AND JESUS CHRIST DID IT:
SO: THE BIBLE IS ………..
……….RIGHT……..
EVERY KNEE MUST BOW….
AND EVERY TONGUE MUST CONFESS: THAT………
………JESUS CHRIST……….
IS LORD……………
……….
DENISE MATTHEWS………..
MOVE NAME: IN HOLLYWOOD:
KNOW AS: VANITY SIXX….(6).
…..IS GONE HOME TO SEE…..
……..JESUS CHRIST………..
…………HALLELUJAH………..JESUS:
…………SHE MADE HER CALLING & ELECTION SURE: SHE WAD READY WILL -U-BE:
I……AM……AMEN
………..GOOD NIGHT………
God bless you. This beautiful comment brought tears to my eyes right before work this morning! I see many mean comments online so this was quite refreshing.
Just like Aaliyah, Denise Matthews left us too soon. I’ll miss all the beauty, grace and talent that they took along with them. Thank God for them and the memories, movies and records left behind to remember them by! Finally able to r.i.p.! We’ll miss you Vanity!
God bless her. How wonderful to be embraced in His arms. RIP Denise
May she #RestInPower _ but you said 80 rock group? C’mon son
Rest in Paradise Denise Matthews!
You are in a better place now.
God bless And Prayers For her family.
Love Ray Ray Yerushalmi
Thank you Denise. I wish we could have met in this life. I wii see you in my afterlife.
God Bless
Rest in peace Denise. You were truly beautiful and very talented not to mention a great singer.
Rip Denise! You were one of my role models ever since the last dragon.. Glad you were able to turn your life around and be with our father in Heavan.. May your voice shine and sing great hyms for Jesus. I may not have met you here, but i WILL see you along with many others in Heavan..God bless..RIP
Napoleon said Jesus alone conquered with love, thus making him the greatest conqueror of all. Denise vanity Matthews followed in his footsteps & that is why we miss her so!
Denise matthews rip
I LOVE U 4-EVER MISS DENISE K. MATTHEWS I’M MISSING U LIKE CRAZY, U WILL BE ALWAYS MY BEAUTIFUL DREAM WIFE. RIP MY BEAUTIFUL ANGEL U R IN GOD ARMS MY LOVE 4-EVER!
I’ll always love and miss you greatly.For many years you’ve blessed us with your beauty and grace.You’re in God’s arms now. RIP Beautiful Denise.
I will miss Vanity & she will always be my beautiful dream girl. Rip miss Denise K. Matters.
Denise,
You have done the good work of the Lord, and he has called you home. You have shown many of us on earth that life here is just temporary and materialistic. We can live our whole lives chasing after riches, wealth, and fame, and never really achieve anything for God. You lived that life for a while, in so much pain, until you found God, and were born again. You found the truth, the way, and the light, and that was with God, our Master. He brought you real joy, peace, love, and happiness. You have shared your life on earth with us and taught me that God comes first no matter what, and that our earthly values are not important when it comes to what really matters. Only the life you live for God is important. May the Lord reward you for your obedience and love for him. Thank you and God Bless You.
Best comment ever: “We can live our our whole lives chasing after riches, wealth, and fame, and never really achieve anything for God.”
– Darlene Anderson
R.I.P Denis Mathews God’s got u and now no more afflictions you are safe in the lords arms no more of this world pain beautiful woman I loved The last Dragon Movie and
I jus found out on 5-21-16(Prince death date) that Evangelist Deanise Matthews aka Vanity died as well. It was a double wammy & i haven’t stopped crying since. I miss them already. Both Vanity & Evangelist Matthews were in inspiration & blessing to me & my family. I will lov u forever in my heart body mind & spirit. I consider u now my guardian angel. As well as Prince. May u both share a mansion in Heaven together R.I.P.???????
What a great tribute. You did a great job!
A better place? Really?
WHY do “living” people say dead people are in a “better” place?
Yeah, like being underground with the bugs and worms is a real picnic.
If it’s SO better, why don’t YOU trade places with them.
Nothing’s beats being alive. Period.
The last dragon is one of the best Kung Fu movies ever. I’m a movie buff and it will always hold a spot in my top movies of all time. Barely finding out that Deanise has passed is heart breaking. She was a gorgeous and talented actress. May she rest in forever peace. Long live the GLOW!!
Rest In Peace
Denise Matthews
Vanity when you starred in The Last Dragon A Star ⭐ Was Born !!
And Vanity You Shined As Bright
As The Brightest STAR IN THE GALAXY !!
NOW GET YOUR REST, YOU’RE GOING TO BE TRULY MISSED !!
Hi – Great website. Nicely done. I watched The Last Dragon with my son last weekend. Afterwards, I read articles about her death. Hard to believe that it was only a few years ago. It’s so sad. She died too young.
I met Vanity once through her sister Deborah that I dated in college. Vanity was a great person and enjoyed her company . I’ve lost touch with Deborah and would like to reconnect.
Daniel Sauerbrey
IG @danielsauerbrey
Denise was beautiful inside and out. I am so glad that she was able to turn her life around. She has been a real inspiration to me in knowing that both change and spiritual growth are possible. Rest easy Ms Denise.