R.I.P. Prince Protege Vanity Dead At 57

Vanity, the singer discovered by musical artist, Prince, has died. She was 57.

Vanity, whose real name was Denise Katrina Matthews, was the singer of the 80s girl band Vanity 6. She reportedly died after battling kidney failure and an abdominal illness.

Matthews, passed away in a Fremont, CA hospital on Monday … according to sources close to her family. A few months ago she set up a GoFundMe page, and said she’d been diagnosed with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis — an inflammation of the small intestines. h/t tmz

She also battled crack addiction in the ’90s, and after a 1994 overdose her kidneys were shot. She had to undergo nearly daily dialysis treatments.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Vanity’s family and friends at this difficult time.