violetcrush said:

Who am I to contradict Princevault

I’m saying she didn’t live at PP until at least March 1993. Just mentioning what she said herself.

No doubt there were many girls around PP, pagers and all.

CandyCool said:

violetcrush said:

Hmmm, well per Princevault she was already on stage dancing as early as August 19, 1991(at the Ritz in NY) with Diamond and Pearl. That does not make sense then, because she would have been practicing at PP for those performances. So, something is "off" with that situation.

*

All the "girls" were put up in apartments when they moved to MN. They did not live at the Galpin house or at PP. Maybe they got units at that "stone circle" residence too .

*

I guess it's possible that she didn't have sex with Prince until Feb '93, but no way do I believe that there weren't other things going on prior to that time. Carmen was in the mix until some point on the 1992 D&P tour. Prince cancelled her opening show, because it was not good.

*

At the same time, Prince was seeing Vanessa Marcil (although I think that was brief), Nona Gaye, and no doubt a handful of others.

*

It's also important to note that as late as Summer of 1995 Prince had a group of beautiful "groupies" running around PP. They were given pagers, and would be "summoned" at any given time. Check out the story here from a guy who worked at PP during that time -very good story about how he managed to work for Prince, but it's long. The PP girls are discussed probably around the halfway mark when he talks about the offices moving to PP and the Summer concerts:

*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br1Q0-U5NSo

[Edited 1/26/19 11:57am]

[Edited 1/26/19 11:59am]

Who am I to contradict Princevault I’m saying she didn’t live at PP until at least March 1993. Just mentioning what she said herself. No doubt there were many girls around PP, pagers and all.

Hmmm, not sure how in the world he could manage the groupies while having her actually living in his aparment at PP. No doubt she slept over there often, but it is surprising to me that she would have been living there. I was under the impression that she had her own apartment until the pregnancy.

violetcrush said:

Yes that’s right. She was living in an apartment. Not his apartment (or PP)
So plenty of opportunity for Prince to have others around.

CandyCool said:

violetcrush said:

Hmmm, not sure how in the world he could manage the groupies while having her actually living in his aparment at PP. No doubt she slept over there often, but it is surprising to me that she would have been living there. I was under the impression that she had her own apartment until the pregnancy.

Yes that’s right. She was living in an apartment. Not his apartment (or PP) So plenty of opportunity for Prince to have others around.

I really recommend watching that link I posted if y'all haven't seen it yet. The guy's a great storyteller, and it's very entertaining - even the bits about his life. The discussion about the "groupies" starts at 1:01, so it's toward the end. There's another great story of Prince coming out on stage in an outfit made of a very very loose weave of lace, and the guy gets a full on view of Prince's "tootsie roll"

violetcrush said:

CandyCool said:

violetcrush said: Yes that’s right. She was living in an apartment. Not his apartment (or PP) So plenty of opportunity for Prince to have others around.

I really recommend watching that link I posted if y'all haven't seen it yet. The guy's a great storyteller, and it's very entertaining - even the bits about his life. The discussion about the "groupies" starts at 1:01, so it's toward the end. There's another great story of Prince coming out on stage in an outfit made of a very very loose weave of lace, and the guy gets a full on view of Prince's "tootsie roll"

Wow I hadn't heard about the groupies at PP or the pagers. I knew he was seeing Vanessa,Nona and Mayte back then and a few models from what's been said. Thanks for sharing the link.

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

I really recommend watching that link I posted if y'all haven't seen it yet. The guy's a great storyteller, and it's very entertaining - even the bits about his life. The discussion about the "groupies" starts at 1:01, so it's toward the end. There's another great story of Prince coming out on stage in an outfit made of a very very loose weave of lace, and the guy gets a full on view of Prince's "tootsie roll"

Wow I hadn't heard about the groupies at PP or the pagers. I knew he was seeing Vanessa,Nona and Mayte back then and a few models from what's been said. Thanks for sharing the link.

You're welcome!! That guy had 1,000's of comments and views on that video. He's got a knack for storytelling, and he's very self-effacing, which makes it very relatable and funny. He's also my generation, so I really related to his life experience with Prince.

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

Wow I hadn't heard about the groupies at PP or the pagers. I knew he was seeing Vanessa,Nona and Mayte back then and a few models from what's been said. Thanks for sharing the link.

You're welcome!! That guy had 1,000's of comments and views on that video. He's got a knack for storytelling, and he's very self-effacing, which makes it very relatable and funny. He's also my generation, so I really related to his life experience with Prince.

Good interview with some interesting stories. Thanks again!

[Edited 1/27/19 8:53am]

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

You're welcome!! That guy had 1,000's of comments and views on that video. He's got a knack for storytelling, and he's very self-effacing, which makes it very relatable and funny. He's also my generation, so I really related to his life experience with Prince.

Good interview with some interesting stories. Thanks again!

[Edited 1/27/19 8:53am]

You're welcome!! When I first found it I thought, well, I'll watch some of this....ended up listening to the entire thing. Very entertaining! Loved how he made his way to MN and then to PP. Pretty impressive.

Djohnson said:

ThatWhiteDude said:

And why would he marry mani legally, but not Mayte? It's so funny that there are a lot of people who want to downplay his relationship/marriage to her. Nobody questions his love for Denise or any other woman he was involved with.....only when it comes to Mayte. Just saying.

"Oh he didn't really lover her, it was a fake marriage, he used Mayte to get Denise back." etc. etc. I just find it a little bit disrespectful tho not only towards mayte, but Prince too.

I just saw you linked lipstickalley, that trash site......it makes sense now.

[Edited 1/24/19 15:06pm]

My comments are not to dis Mayte, but a dis at P for the mind games he played with her. I think Mayte's a beautiful soul that was young, naive to Prince's charm. I believe and stated all along she deserves better and deserves to find true love. Anyone who truly cares about her should encourage her to let go of the past she seems to cling to. It's the healthiest thing she could do for herself. Im an advocate for women empowerment. I hate seeing women blinded to men casinova mind games to get what they want at that point and time. As I've said I believe he loved and respected Vanity because she broke it off with him and wouldn't take his bs like so many others did. That's what set her a part. And someone said she was doing drugs when she was with P. I've read her drug abuse started when she was with Niki Sixx. Which is believable. Prince own words at his concert: 'Someone dear to us has passed away, I’m gonna dedicate this song to her.' He also changed the lyrics to The Ladder to describe his relationship with Vanity and, for an encore, replaced the final words of The Beautiful Ones, 'my knees', with 'Denise'. Later, the Purple Rain star was remarkably candid about his memories of Denise, saying: 'Her and I used to love each other deeply.' He continued: 'She loved me for the artist I was, I loved her for the artist she was trying to be.' In her 1997 book, Blame It On Vanity, Denise claimed that Prince was the only man she ever truly loved, Jet Magazine reported. Prince paid tribute to his former protégé just one day after her death while performing in Melbourne, Australia, as part of his Piano & a Microphone world tour, dedicated “Little Red Corvette” to Vanity. “I’m trying to stay focused, it’s a little heavy for me tonight. Just keep jamming,” he told the audience, per News Corp Australia Network. He referenced her frequently throughout the night, with the deeply private star getting uncharacteristically personal. “Can I tell you a story about Vanity? Or should I tell you a story about Denise? Her and I used to love each other deeply,” Prince reportedly told the crowd. “She loved me for the artist I was, I loved her for the artist she was trying to be. “She and I would fight,” he continued. “She was very headstrong ’cause she knew she was the finest woman in the world. She never missed an opportunity to tell you that.” Denise's own words: “I never thought, ‘Oh God, I’m in Prince’s shadow,’ ” she told PEOPLE. “He’d been performing for years and he was my teacher. I miss his humor. I always felt we’d be like Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor over the years. I can honestly say I love the kid.” Prince and Vanity were in love before the height of his career. Later on, I know many women dated P for his stardom and to become famous themselves riding on P's coatales. Denise (Vanity) never did that. She was with him before he was enormously famous. She truly loved him for him and he loved her for her. It was a genuine love affair. Nowadays since Prince's death I see so many women trying to now be very relevant in Prince's life in order to make money off him after he's passed. M1 said she'd talked to P about building a school in his name. That was proven untrue. And She still posts about him on IG from time to time. Apollonia makes it now sound as if they had a love affair, after many years of denying it, and that they still remained great friends and in touch. Carmen Electra shared her hand written post to claim the song "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" was written about her. Mayte made her book which she makes money from and now constantly wraps Prince into her social media accts. Prince threatened to sue her about writing a book, so she waited until after his death. Sheila E has become more relevant to Prince by her own posts since his death. My opinion this is what his song thieves in the temple referred to. C'mon we all know they played a part in his life, why wait until after his death to now act like you were such a relevant part of his life? None of them were with him the night he passed. Most hadn't spoke, or heard from him in yrs. It's ok to reminece, but I think we all know P would not approve of them seeking money, or fame off his death. And still he passed 2 months after Denise 💜💜💜 https://www.google.com/am...death/amp/ https://www.google.com/ur...8028071297

I think it's important to emphasize here that there were several women who had a strong impact on Prince with regard to his love for them. Kim Upsher, Susan Moonsie, Denise Matthews, Susannah Melvoin, Kim Basinger (short but intense), Mayte Garcia, and Manuela Testolini. Vanity was only with him from Jan '82 until July '83. However, she was in the spotlight and media the most, because Prince put her there with Vanity 6. He was promoting that group, and her persona. Did he love her? Of course. He also loved Kim, Susan, Susannah, Kim B, Mayte and Manuela. Everyone has their opinion/idea of who they think he loved the most. I personally use the songs as a guide, because it is known that he communicated and "vented" through his music.

*

Prince said some very touching things about Vanity during that Melbourne performance - and rightfully so, as he literally was informed only hours before performing that she had passed. He was grieving and also eulogizing her during that show. His health was also deteriorating by that point, which I'm sure added to the emotion he was feeling. He was reminiscing about many things during those shows - his Father, Wendy and Lisa, and fighting in relationships. I have no doubt that if any of the other women listed above had passed he would have been just as grief-stricken, and he would have honored them in the same way. He may not have been good at being a committed boyfriend/husband, but he did have a good heart.

*

Regarding the women coming forward to tell their stories about their relationships with Prince - it is important to remember that Vanity was actually the first to do this by publishing her book Blame It On Vanity - first published in 1999, and then re-issed in 2012 and on the market for a much higher price, as she was trying to pay her medical expenses at that time. So, in reality, she was the first of the women to tell her story a long time ago.

*

Kim Upsher, Susan, and Susannah were also with Prince before the Purple Rain explosion, so none of them were with Prince for his money. As a matter of fact, I read that Prince originally wanted Susan to be the lead for V6 (before meeting Vanity), but she did not want to do it. Vanity wanted fame and celebrity too, which is why she chose to lead V6. She has stated this herself in interviews. She also denounced that time in her life after becoming a Christian, and expressed how unhappy she was about what she was doing. People really romanticize her relationship with Prince, because of the media coverage happening at that time. Yes, she loved him, but in reality, it was often volatile, and she became heavily addicted to cocaine - long before meeting Nikki Sixx. They were both users at that time, and spent a year doing coke together. He details it in his book.

*

So, while we all have our ideas about who "the love of his life" was - the fact is that he had many loves, and many others who he was intimate with but didn't love. As others have stated on this thread, his first love most certainly was his music - recording and performing it. That always came first - before the women, before sleep, before food, before anything else.

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

Good interview with some interesting stories. Thanks again!

[Edited 1/27/19 8:53am]

You're welcome!! When I first found it I thought, well, I'll watch some of this....ended up listening to the entire thing. Very entertaining! Loved how he made his way to MN and then to PP. Pretty impressive.

Yes,it was. That was impressive and he was certainly ambitious. I wonder if that is a sample of one of his songs that's playing at the beginning of the video?

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

You're welcome!! When I first found it I thought, well, I'll watch some of this....ended up listening to the entire thing. Very entertaining! Loved how he made his way to MN and then to PP. Pretty impressive.

Yes,it was. That was impressive and he was certainly ambitious. I wonder if that is a sample of one of his songs that's playing at the beginning of the video?

I'll have to go back and listen. Most likely it is, because he did state that he writes and records music.

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

Yes,it was. That was impressive and he was certainly ambitious. I wonder if that is a sample of one of his songs that's playing at the beginning of the video?

I'll have to go back and listen. Most likely it is, because he did state that he writes and records music.

I actually thought it was Prince at first but then I realized it was likely an original song of his.

violetcrush said:

[/img] Lets not forget about Carmen Electra. He loved her too!
MD49D8

Let's not forget about Carmen Electra who also inspired the song "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" He loved her too!
https://www.instagram.com...201vcyy3bq

Djohnson said:

I think the jury's still out on that one - as he then apparently claimed that he wrote the song for Mayte.
*
Also, the song is more about inner beauty than outer beauty - "cause baby that kind of beauty's got no reason to ever be shy. That kind of beauty comes from inside". I would not classify Carmen E as a shy girl at all - quite the opposite actually. She flaunted, go-go danced, and had no problem with putting herself out there to everyone.

Djohnson said:

All this note proves to me, is he liked calling his women"the most beautiful girl in the world". Quite a common romantic phrase when you think about it. It doesn't necessarily refer to the song, it probably wasn't even written then.

violetcrush said:

Bravo! Couldn't have put it better myself. I don't get this strong desire to assign someone the "love of his life". He loved a lot of women, fell out of love and moved on. If we could ask P right now, I doubt he'd even know the answer! Every relationship and love is different, it's like asking someone with 3 kids which one you love the most.
[Edited 1/28/19 9:05am]

petalthecat said:

Djohnson said:

Let's not forget about Carmen Electra who also inspired the song "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" He loved her too! https://www.instagram.com...201vcyy3bq

All this note proves to me, is he liked calling his women"the most beautiful girl in the world". Quite a common romantic phrase when you think about it. It doesn't necessarily refer to the song, it probably wasn't even written then.

Agreed. Even "Charlene" was given a pre-printed card with a cd that sold at auction:

https://www.julienslive.c.../lot/89634

[Edited 1/28/19 9:29am]

petalthecat said:

violetcrush said:

I think it's important to emphasize here that there were several women who had a strong impact on Prince with regard to his love for them. Kim Upsher, Susan Moonsie, Denise Matthews, Susannah Melvoin, Kim Basinger (short but intense), Mayte Garcia, and Manuela Testolini. Vanity was only with him from Jan '82 until July '83. However, she was in the spotlight and media the most, because Prince put her there with Vanity 6. He was promoting that group, and her persona. Did he love her? Of course. He also loved Kim, Susan, Susannah, Kim B, Mayte and Manuela. Everyone has their opinion/idea of who they think he loved the most. I personally use the songs as a guide, because it is known that he communicated and "vented" through his music.

*

Prince said some very touching things about Vanity during that Melbourne performance - and rightfully so, as he literally was informed only hours before performing that she had passed. He was grieving and also eulogizing her during that show. His health was also deteriorating by that point, which I'm sure added to the emotion he was feeling. He was reminiscing about many things during those shows - his Father, Wendy and Lisa, and fighting in relationships. I have no doubt that if any of the other women listed above had passed he would have been just as grief-stricken, and he would have honored them in the same way. He may not have been good at being a committed boyfriend/husband, but he did have a good heart.

*

Regarding the women coming forward to tell their stories about their relationships with Prince - it is important to remember that Vanity was actually the first to do this by publishing her book Blame It On Vanity - first published in 1999, and then re-issed in 2012 and on the market for a much higher price, as she was trying to pay her medical expenses at that time. So, in reality, she was the first of the women to tell her story a long time ago.

*

Kim Upsher, Susan, and Susannah were also with Prince before the Purple Rain explosion, so none of them were with Prince for his money. As a matter of fact, I read that Prince originally wanted Susan to be the lead for V6 (before meeting Vanity), but she did not want to do it. Vanity wanted fame and celebrity too, which is why she chose to lead V6. She has stated this herself in interviews. She also denounced that time in her life after becoming a Christian, and expressed how unhappy she was about what she was doing. People really romanticize her relationship with Prince, because of the media coverage happening at that time. Yes, she loved him, but in reality, it was often volatile, and she became heavily addicted to cocaine - long before meeting Nikki Sixx. They were both users at that time, and spent a year doing coke together. He details it in his book.

*

So, while we all have our ideas about who "the love of his life" was - the fact is that he had many loves, and many others who he was intimate with but didn't love. As others have stated on this thread, his first love most certainly was his music - recording and performing it. That always came first - before the women, before sleep, before food, before anything else.

Bravo! Couldn't have put it better myself. I don't get this strong desire to assign someone the "love of his life". He loved a lot of women, fell out of love and moved on. If we could ask P right now, I doubt he'd even know the answer! Every relationship and love is different, it's like asking someone with 3 kids which one you love the most. [Edited 1/28/19 9:05am]

Well....I mostly agree with your thoughts here. However, I do really believe he put his feelings into his songs, and during certain periods there were more depth to them, as well as, some periods (the 90's) where a good chunk of his songs were full of loss and longing (Solo, So Dark, Goodbye, Van Gogh, Stone, Soul Sanctuary, Wasted Kisses, Tangerine, etc). So, I do think certain relationships affected him more deeply than others.

violetcrush said:

I've been trying to reply to one of your last comments to me in the Susannah Melovin Interview thread, but I see that it's locked now. I wish we could have continued that conversation. Let me ask you though, did you read Denise's book? Denise book was about her journey to Christ. She barely spoke about Prince. Everything she mentioned in that book, her childhood, Prince, her quest for stardom, her struggles in the industry, and her addiction, was a migration towards her faith and her God. Everything she said about her relationship with Prince we already knew. They met at the AMA, he placed her in the group V6, they had a tumultuous relationship, she left, and afterwards struggled through addiction until she realized a higher calling through God her savior. Nothing detailed, nothing solicitous, nothing new founded. She gave no information whatsoever about her relationship with Prince. Her description of the book says it all. It's enough to chase anyone away who didn't want to read a theological biography about finding God. This was far from a book about Prince and "Vanity." It was about her savior, Jesus Christ. Denise has said she was offered a lot of money to write a tell all book about her relationship with Prince and she refused. I'm not knocking anyone who wrote a book or wants to write a book about their relationship with Prince in the "future" but this book was not that. It was her testimony. It's viewed as such. She was so confident in the book's integrity that she reached out to Prince for his opinion. She had nothing to fear.

Rationalization for Prince's mournful actions at the P&M show and the reason he said that he once loved Denise very deeply, is offensive. We know nothing of Prince's feelings but through his pronouncements and his actions. His actions that night at her tribute, authenticated his feelings towards their union. Please don't try to minimize it.
[Edited 1/30/19 15:41pm]

))

luvgirl said:

violetcrush said:

I think it's important to emphasize here that there were several women who had a strong impact on Prince with regard to his love for them. Kim Upsher, Susan Moonsie, Denise Matthews, Susannah Melvoin, Kim Basinger (short but intense), Mayte Garcia, and Manuela Testolini. Vanity was only with him from Jan '82 until July '83. However, she was in the spotlight and media the most, because Prince put her there with Vanity 6. He was promoting that group, and her persona. Did he love her? Of course. He also loved Kim, Susan, Susannah, Kim B, Mayte and Manuela. Everyone has their opinion/idea of who they think he loved the most. I personally use the songs as a guide, because it is known that he communicated and "vented" through his music.

*

Prince said some very touching things about Vanity during that Melbourne performance - and rightfully so, as he literally was informed only hours before performing that she had passed. He was grieving and also eulogizing her during that show. His health was also deteriorating by that point, which I'm sure added to the emotion he was feeling. He was reminiscing about many things during those shows - his Father, Wendy and Lisa, and fighting in relationships. I have no doubt that if any of the other women listed above had passed he would have been just as grief-stricken, and he would have honored them in the same way. He may not have been good at being a committed boyfriend/husband, but he did have a good heart.

*

Regarding the women coming forward to tell their stories about their relationships with Prince - it is important to remember that Vanity was actually the first to do this by publishing her book Blame It On Vanity - first published in 1999, and then re-issed in 2012 and on the market for a much higher price, as she was trying to pay her medical expenses at that time. So, in reality, she was the first of the women to tell her story a long time ago.

*

Kim Upsher, Susan, and Susannah were also with Prince before the Purple Rain explosion, so none of them were with Prince for his money. As a matter of fact, I read that Prince originally wanted Susan to be the lead for V6 (before meeting Vanity), but she did not want to do it. Vanity wanted fame and celebrity too, which is why she chose to lead V6. She has stated this herself in interviews. She also denounced that time in her life after becoming a Christian, and expressed how unhappy she was about what she was doing. People really romanticize her relationship with Prince, because of the media coverage happening at that time. Yes, she loved him, but in reality, it was often volatile, and she became heavily addicted to cocaine - long before meeting Nikki Sixx. They were both users at that time, and spent a year doing coke together. He details it in his book.

*

So, while we all have our ideas about who "the love of his life" was - the fact is that he had many loves, and many others who he was intimate with but didn't love. As others have stated on this thread, his first love most certainly was his music - recording and performing it. That always came first - before the women, before sleep, before food, before anything else.

I've been trying to reply to one of your last comments to me in the Susannah Melovin Interview thread, but I see that it's locked now. I wish we could have continued that conversation. Let me ask you though, did you read Denise's book? Denise book was about her journey to Christ. She barely spoke about Prince. Everything she mentioned in that book, her childhood, Prince, her addictions, her struggles in the industry, was a migration towards her faith and her God. Everything she said about her relationship with Prince we already knew. They met at the AMA, he placed her in the group V6, they had a tumultuous relationship, she left, and afterwards struggled through addiction until she realized a higher calling through God her savior. Nothing detailed, nothing solicitous, nothing new founded. She gave no information whatsoever about her relationship with Prince. Her description of the book says it all. It's enough to chase anyone away who didn't want to read a theological biography about finding God. This was far from a book about Prince and "Vanity." It was about her savior, Jesus Christ. Denise has said she was offered a lot of money to write a tell all book about her relationship with Prince and she refused. I'm not knocking anyone who wrote a book or wants to write a book about their relationship with Prince in the "future" but this book was not that. It was her testimony. It's viewed as such. She was so confident in the book's integrity that she reached out to Prince for his opinion. She had nothing to fear. Rationalization for Prince's actions and the reason he said that he once loved Denise very deeply is offensive. We know nothing of Prince's feelings but through his pronouncements and his actions. His actions that night at her tribute, authenticated his feelings towards their union. Please don't try to minimize it. [Edited 1/30/19 15:06pm]

Denise would never have written a "tell-all" book while Prince was alive - just the same as none of the other girlfriends/wives did either - he would never have allowed it to be published. From what I have read, Mayte was trying to release her story a year before Prince passed, and he put a stop to it. I guarantee Denise's "reaching out to Prince" and getting his opinion was to get his approval more than anything else. During the time her book came out (1999) Prince was fully into going after anyone who spoke about him, took his picture, etc. So, I'm sure it had to be reviewed and cleared by him and his legal team first. It would have been the same with anyone else.

*

The book title clearly indicated to the public that it would include information about her time with Prince, as it uses her former stage name. It could have just as easily been titled, "Denise Matthews: my story of ....." The "Vanity" name was cleverly used, because it would attract the most attention and publicity for the book. Here is the original marketing that was used to promote the book:

*

*

Obviously, her time with Prince is what made her a well-known name to the public, so of course the publishing company used that for the marketing of the book in order to generate more sales. By 1999 she had been out of the public eye for many years, and fully into her ministry work.

*

I'm in no way trying to minimize her relationship with Prince. I have said he loved her, was obviously very physically attracted to her - as many men were, and she was beautiful. The only thing I've said - which is where we differ - is that I don't think it was a deep love connection. I think it was more physical than emotionally deep, and I'm basing that thought on the songs that he wrote. I also think Prince needed to be taught/inspired within his musical world just as much as or more than he enjoyed being a mentor/teacher to the proteges, and I think Susannah fulfilled that for him. She exposed him to things that he hadn't tapped into at that point - Wendy and Lisa too. He respected her musical knowledge and backround. They connected on a deeper level with the music and her intellect.

VioletCrush said:

Publisher's promotion, but not the actual cover blurb, and not the actual description of the book. And most definitely no in-depth insight into her relationship with Prince. Completely a different tone of book. More like... an In-depth insight into her relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
[Edited 1/30/19 19:16pm]

luvgirl said:

I understand that, and it's no doubt the reason Prince didn't prevent her from publishing the book. However, that is not how it was marketed. It was marketed (not by her, but by the publisher) in a way that would entice people - especially Prince fans - to buy the book.

violetcrush said:

luvgirl said:

VioletCrush said: Publisher's promotion, but not the actual blurb, and not the actual description of the book. And most definitely no in-depth insight into her relationship with Prince. Completely a different tone of book. More like... an In-depth insight into her relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I understand that, and it's no doubt the reason Prince didn't prevent her from publishing the book. However, that is not how it was marketed. It was marketed (not by her, but by the publisher) in a way that would entice people - especially Prince fans - to buy the book.

Here are some older Org threads talking about the book (2002 and 2012):

http://prince.org/msg/5/380326?&pg=1 - 2012

*

Some of the discssion:

*

MusicLover6 said:

I respect anybody who can find a higher power and live as such . That's always a great thing but my issue with her is that she was once apart of pop culture and her movies and music will forever be out there , so that she have to realize that and accept that :

A few years ago , she went on a crusade to shut certain websites down that contained images of her and always saying how she would never use the name Vanity for profit etc etc etc :

But then she turns around and write a book called Blame It On Vanity and I'm sure she have received money for the sales of the book :

It's fine and cool to have found your spiritual path , much love to that , BUT , to try to silence people is another thing : She sent a friend of mine a very nasty threatening letter from her lawyer . For a Christian , it could've been done another way . It was straight up bullying :

Onelove to Apollonia , who is as real , connected , & down to earth as anyone could be : Beautiful heart , beautiful spirit , and understands the reality of having been apart of musical history :

*

Lauralevesque said:

Yeah, I didn't like it when she named her book ,"Blame it on Vanity" when she's trying to distance herself from that. Also, whenever she's on TBN ( or that annoying Robia Lamorte) they always intro their appearance with a bit about how they used to dance or date Prince, blah blah blah. If you want to distance yourself, distance yourself, don't use Prince's name and your ex "dirty self" to promote yourself now.

With that being said, I think Denise Matthews is sincere and it's not fake bs, just a little off the deep end is all.

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http://prince.org/msg/5/19969 - 2002

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The OP's post:

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Blame It on Vanity by Denise K. Matthews

Here is some information on her upcoming autobiography.

Blame It on Vanity
by Denise K. Matthews

List Price: $24.95
Hardcover: 248 pages
Publisher: CAP Publishing & Literary Co.; ISBN: 1878898221; (September 2002)

I wonder if she is going to come out and promote it by doing interviews and book signings.

violetcrush said:

As it was already stated Denise Mathews sought out Prince's consent on her book before releasing it. M1 was threatened by P when she was going to auction off some of the stuff she had when they were together. She said "Oh he knows he doesn't want to mess with me". Well he certainly did and had his attys on it and the auction was cancelled. I'd heard the same thing he threatened to sue her if she wrote a book as well. So she waited until after his death. Denise at least got permission first. Probably why they remained close friends all those yrs. I think he trusted the earlier crew more than the later crew after he became extremely famous. I also don't think there would have been a M1 wedding if she hadn't gotten pregnant. Just my opinion. He loved many women throughout his life, but was never faithful to any of them other than maybe Manuella? Not sure, but never heard any cheating scandals during their marriage. Only that he locked her out of the house once. Denise Matthews and Apollonia were i believe the 2 most beautiful women he dated. And they both knew him before he was instantly famous after Purple Rain. I think that makes their relationships more pure, without reason to be after him for his $$$ like some of the later protege's. Denise and Prince would have had the most beautiful children together. Shame children didn't happen for either of them, other than P's heartbreaking loss of his child with M1. But I was disappointed in how he handled that situation with M1. Seemed so cruel, but it happened and nothing can change it. RIP beautiful purple one.

violetcrush said:

This is just desperation in trying to prove your point. Comparing her persona name Vanity being on the cover of the book juxtaposed the contents is utterly ridiculous. Her biography was a journal of her migration and subsequent relationship with Jesus Christ, and how he saved her from a life of addiction at her lowest and most violent moment. You have no grounds to stand on in comparison. Her book wasn't about Prince.
[Edited 1/31/19 4:37am]

luvgirl said:

violetcrush said:

This is just desperation in trying to prove your point. Comparing her persona name Vanity being on the cover of the book juxtaposed the contents is utterly ridiculous. Her biography was a journal of her migration and subsequent relationship with Jesus Christ, and how he saved her from a life of addiction at her lowest and most violent moment. You have no grounds to stand on in comparison. Her book wasn't about Prince. [Edited 1/31/19 4:37am]

I'm actually not desperate at all here. My only comment earlier (to the OP) about the book was to state that she also discussed her story with Prince, and many years before any of the others. You actually seem a bit desperate to prove that the title had nothing to do with her time as Vanity. That title, "Blame It On Vanity" absolutely suggests that she will detail that time period, because her persona name is the cover title. Regardless of the bulk of the book focusing on her turn toward religion, the title implies that it actually will cover the time period as Vanity.

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I am sure there would have been more detail had she written her book after he passed, as there would have been no threat of legal action by him or his legal team.

[Edited 1/31/19 4:50am]

Djohnson said:

violetcrush said:

As it was already stated Denise Mathews sought out Prince's consent on her book before releasing it. M1 was threatened by P when she was going to auction off some of the stuff she had when they were together. She said "Oh he knows he doesn't want to mess with me". Well he certainly did and had his attys on it and the auction was cancelled. I'd heard the same thing he threatened to sue her if she wrote a book as well. So she waited until after his death. Denise at least got permission first. Probably why they remained close friends all those yrs. I think he trusted the earlier crew more than the later crew after he became extremely famous. I also don't think there would have been a M1 wedding if she hadn't gotten pregnant. Just my opinion. He loved many women throughout his life, but was never faithful to any of them other than maybe Manuella? Not sure, but never heard any cheating scandals during their marriage. Only that he locked her out of the house once. Denise Matthews and Apollonia were i believe the 2 most beautiful women he dated. And they both knew him before he was instantly famous after Purple Rain. I think that makes their relationships more pure, without reason to be after him for his $$$ like some of the later protege's. Denise and Prince would have had the most beautiful children together. Shame children didn't happen for either of them, other than P's heartbreaking loss of his child with M1. But I was disappointed in how he handled that situation with M1. Seemed so cruel, but it happened and nothing can change it. RIP beautiful purple one.

Apollonia never dated Prince. They never had a romantic relationship, and she has stated this numerous times throughout the years. She was married when she filmed PR, and also dating David Lee Roth on the side. They let the rumors circulate and didn't counter them back then in order to draw even more attention to the film. They were nothing more than friends throughout his lifetime.

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Denise wanted to be a celebrity and make money at that time. Prince convinced her to lead Vanity 6, and he required her to do things she really didn't want to do for that job. She has stated this herself - I posted her comments earlier. They had volatile fights, cheated on each other, and she left because she was offered a ton more money to do another film, and also for her own contract with Motown. Sorry, but I don't see anything "pure" about that situation - other than the fact that Prince didn't have the PR millions at that time. However, he still had a ton of money compared to anyone else in the camp.

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What does beauty have to do with love and a deeper emotional connection?? Absolutely nothing. Prince dated many many very beautiful women - all beautiful. You are equating physical attraction with deep love - and they are often two different things or often one without the other. Susannah was probably the least physically "beautiful" of all the women, but look at the songs he wrote for her. Prince was drawn to more than just her looks.

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Mayte was only 16 when she met Prince - a deer in headlights when she arrived at PP, per one of the Engineers that was there at the time. If you want to blame someone for that situation then blame her Mother, as apparently she orchestrated the meeting of the two, and also her moving to MN. Yes, I also think the marriage happened because of the pregnancy - most likely - however, it seemed that Prince really wanted to make that work. He clearly wanted children of his own, and it was a terrible tragedy for both of them. It's one thing to have an early miscarriage - which is still awful, but to carry your child to term, and then lose him in one week?? Just a heart-wrenching tragedy. Can't imagine. I think, out of all the women, she got the worst of it with him.

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I have no idea what happened with Manuela, however, based on his track record with monogamy, I'm going to guess that there was some cheating going on there as well. I think Prince never lost that teenage mentality when it came to relationships and monogamy. There was always another woman catching his eye. He sings about it in "What Do U Want Me 2 Do", which was written while he was with Manuela.

violetcrush said:

petalthecat said:

violetcrush said: Bravo! Couldn't have put it better myself. I don't get this strong desire to assign someone the "love of his life". He loved a lot of women, fell out of love and moved on. If we could ask P right now, I doubt he'd even know the answer! Every relationship and love is different, it's like asking someone with 3 kids which one you love the most. [Edited 1/28/19 9:05am]

Well....I mostly agree with your thoughts here. However, I do really believe he put his feelings into his songs, and during certain periods there were more depth to them, as well as, some periods (the 90's) where a good chunk of his songs were full of loss and longing (Solo, So Dark, Goodbye, Van Gogh, Stone, Soul Sanctuary, Wasted Kisses, Tangerine, etc). So, I do think certain relationships affected him more deeply than others.

Agree. Those songs just go deeper than some of the others.

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

Well....I mostly agree with your thoughts here. However, I do really believe he put his feelings into his songs, and during certain periods there were more depth to them, as well as, some periods (the 90's) where a good chunk of his songs were full of loss and longing (Solo, So Dark, Goodbye, Van Gogh, Stone, Soul Sanctuary, Wasted Kisses, Tangerine, etc). So, I do think certain relationships affected him more deeply than others.

Agree. Those songs just go deeper than some of the others.

Yes, we've heard over and over - both by Prince and those who had closer relationships with him- that he expressed his life and feelings within his music. So, if you go by that then you have to really look at the depth of the lyrics to distinguish between his more serious vs. casual relationships.