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it's telling that the only bad things people can say about her is that she promiscuous( during her drug phase in the 80's). she appears to have been very endearing before AND after the Jesus thing."
pnv said: purplegirl00 said:
He gave her a white snake?
I also saw the clip of her presenting the award at AMAs and I wonder what was going through each of their minds at that moment. Afterall that movie and much of the music in it, was about her. I tried to see if he approached her first on the stage, but the video was a little blurry. I thought I was the only one that knew about all of the similarities between Prince and Vanity. Name change, celibacy, spirituality just to name a few. I just think her death devastated him. Sure he was trying to cope. But this is something he just couldn't handle. It led him to make unwise decisions. Vanity had been a great sense of inspiration and motivation for years. She provided that everlasting love!!!!! | |
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pnv said: pnv said: I thought I was the only one that knew about all of the similarities between Prince and Vanity. Name change, celibacy, spirituality just to name a few. I just think her death devastated him. Sure he was trying to cope. But this is something he just couldn't handle. It led him to make unwise decisions. Vanity had been a great sense of inspiration and motivation for years. She provided that everlasting love!!!!! I agree. I know many believe that people subscribing to this theory, like me, are making something out of nothing and the Prince and Vanity thing is overrated and long overdone. It could be, but even his friends were concerned about him being depressed over her death and his thinking that his career was growing stagnant. I believe the article was in the New York Times and probably already somewhere in this thread. | |
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"Manuela Testolini on FB
I take this to mean either Denise was calling Prince and Mani answered or Prince had arranged some things that Mani handled. Sidenote: Mani always makes sure she gets her charity mentioned, doesn't she? [Edited 5/12/16 13:09pm] | |
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The address please
ThankU! ''The beautiful ones they hurt you every tiiiiime....''
 RIP BEAUTIFUL ONES: Prince & Denise 2016 | |
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Found this on another board.
"Vanity was of course happy for Prince and his crew. Some of them weren't happy to see her. I forget if it was Wendy or the other one who barely hugged her and Prince only gave Vanity a side hug. When he's giving his acceptance speech, you can see Vanity pacing around behind everyone. She was clearly bummed that he practically ignored her.
Here she is giving him the award, start about 5:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tRKLSDmRfg
' ' Here is maybe why Mani was talking to her. Prince WAS helping her pay for medical expenses in the early 2000s. I think Mani acted sort of like his personal assistant because basically she had been his PA before they got married. " "it's nice to hear prince speak about her. I've heard the pool story before. he also once put her out of the car and made her walk home during a nasty argument. she always sought comfort in coke binges with his brother duane and morris day, who was always brotherly towards her. people around mpls always said she was his first "grown-up love". it was the first relationship he had had with a women he hadn't grown up with and he was completely taken with her. she was the first woman who drove him crazy, not the other way around. and he liked how kooky she was. in the early 2000's prince paid for some of her medical bills for hospital stays and dialysis. i also heard that e. murphy helped, too.
[Edited 5/12/16 14:36pm] | |
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I just watched the video of Vanity presenting the award and I thought it looked like Prince gave her a nice greeting, it looked like a kiss on the cheek and a half hug. It's true that the women in the group basically ignored her but all the guys gave her an embrace.
Must have been strange for both of them - Vanity for not participating in the movie and Prince getting the award from her. | |
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I think it was awkward also because at some point after Appolonia had done the PR movie Vanity came back and sued for some money. Money seems to have been a big reason that Vanity left Prince. She was not paid enough to have an apartment of her own, and for Purple Rain she was offered only $5000. She got paid $300,000 for The Last Dragon. She also wanted a career of her own and not just to be Prince's puppet.
I think Wendy, being loyal to her sister, wanted Vanity to disappear into a black hole. Understandable, considering the pull on Prince Vanity still had. [Edited 5/12/16 15:16pm] | |
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beachy said:
I think it was awkward also because at some point after Appolonia had done the PR movie Vanity came back and sued for some money. Money seems to have been a big reason that Vanity left Prince. She was not paid enough to have an apartment of her own, and for Purple Rain she was offered only $5000. She got paid $300,000 for The Last Dragon. She also wanted a career of her own and not just to be Prince's puppet.
I think Wendy, being loyal to her sister, wanted Vanity to disappear into a black hole. Understandable, considering the pull on Prince Vanity still had. [Edited 5/12/16 15:16pm] did brenda and susan sue also or just vanity? they couldn't have made more than her in the group since she was the lead. [Edited 5/12/16 15:28pm] | |
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Oh that's interesting - I didn't know that Vanity sued him after "Purple Rain" was released. What was she suing for? And did she get any money? | |
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I've seen that AMA video and all I noticed is she had a pimp cane lol only Vanity. And then she gives it to one of the guys so that she could open the envelope. She was so beautiful and so lively. [Edited 5/12/16 15:53pm] Love is God,
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Yes I agree that Vanity seems to have alot of charisma and you can see where people like Prince were attracted to her - beauty but also vivacious!
Like others I knew and appreciated Prince's music but didn't know alot about his personal life. I found it interesting in the days immediately after his death that on a number of the shows (like CNN etc) various people that knew and worked with Prince kept making reference to his relationship to Vanity and how important and special it had been. A couple of panelist (can't recall their names, but they had worked with Prince in the 80s and 90s) said that "Vanity was the love of Prince's life."
The day after his death I found the following article on-line:
http://theleik.com/prince-and-his-assignment/
The article includes the following:
"The rumors of his many beautiful love affairs was always intriguing because he would neither confirm nor deny. However, there was one woman Prince wanted the world to know captured his heart and was the love of his life. Denise Matthews, also known as his music protegé Vanity, was that special woman. Their relationship could not weather the rough storms of the music industry and they both went on to later marry other people, but there was always a connection between the two of them that seemed destined. Both passed away at the age of 57, within two months of each other. Vanity departed on February 15, 2016 of a kidney and abdominal disease. Prince performed a music tribute of his hit the Beautiful Ones, written about Vanity. Not long after her sudden passing, he was reported ill while on tour."
[Edited 5/12/16 16:14pm] | |
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She didn't sue because of being in the group Vanity6, but because she helped Prince write the basic outline of the film, it was about her and him, and she was supposed to play the lead. | |
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beachy said:
She didn't sue because of being in the group Vanity6, but because she helped Prince write the basic outline of the film, it was about her and him, and she was supposed to play the lead. Did she go through with the lawsuit? Love is God,
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Yes Prince did go to Vanity's memorial service, and sat in the balcony, but left early because some fans were bothering him and asking to take selfies. He met up after with Appolonia, Jill Jones, Susan Moonsie and Brenda. The next day they all went to his Oakland concert and sat in the front row, and he acknowledged them from the stage.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/prince-713069-purple-vargas.html "She just saw him in February at the “Life Celebration Ceremony” after the death of Prince’s former girlfriend Denise Matthews, known as Vanity. Vargas Sieloff said Prince was mobbed by selfie-seeking fans. He sat in the church balcony and left before the service ended. “He looked very frail,” she said. “He had been sick. He should have been in bed. I think he worked himself to death.” [Edited 5/12/16 17:37pm] | |
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Appolina wrote about Denise, the service and meeting up with Prince:
AJC Sepia: Apollonia Kotero on the passing of Denise "Vanity" MatthewsEditor’s note: The following essay, written by Apollonia Kotero -- on her friendship and relationship with the woman she is so closely linked with, Denise “Vanity” Matthews -- was used with her permission.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF. — I woke up a better woman today. God help me to write this. These last two weeks have been quite difficult . Surreal and also confusing. I have felt emotions that are unexplainable. The morning of Feb. 15 my brother Ahmir Khalib “Questlove” Thompson reached out to me that "Vanity" just passed. I quickly searched online and it was a woman in Ohio, not Denise. Not "our" Denise Matthews. But I then started to get a sick feeling in my stomach. I researched again because I know my dear Questlove is like Yoda. +
 TORONTO STAR ARCHIVESI find photos of me saying that I am dead. I then see photos that Denise Matthews has died. RIP Vanity. Closed my laptop. Stood up. Felt like years of emotions ripped into my heart. I stood there feeling guilt that she was gone and I was the one alive. +
 PHOTO COURTESY APOLLONIA KOTEROI felt I had lost a piece of myself in a way. A fan wrote that she was watching “Purple Rain” and crying. My legs got weak , I saw white and my loved one caught me. Denise was gone. Her journey had suddenly ended. Gone far too young. So beautiful. Such a force. Denise was no longer in pain. I felt such sorrow for her. For her family and loved ones. For Prince. For the entire Prince Family. For her fans. I searched for ways to make sense of it all . I called my beautiful sister Jill Jones-Mühlum and we cried. Jill and I decided to drive together and attend Denise's memorial service near Oakland. I had to be there. We all had to be there. On the morning of Feb. 27, 2016 Jill and I entered the church. We see family we had not seen in 30 years. That in itself was overwhelming. I walk towards Susan Moonsie and Brenda Bennett and hug them both at the same time, My heart just burst to pieces but I had to keep it together. "Don't cry," said Brenda, as Susan held me and repeated her same words. Felt like I swallowed glass. We had spoken on the phone but this is the first time we see each other in person. Jill, Susan, Brenda and I sit together along with Jamie Shoop. The service was filled with so much love for Denise. Her family mourned. We all mourned. Many sang and shared stories. For me personally , the most compelling person who spoke was my sister Brenda Bennett. During the service both Brenda and I were Baptized and we are certain Denise was giggling as she got her way with us one last time. It was beautiful, the love Denise had for Christ. She was ready to go home. No longer in pain and now an angel in Heaven. Still in disbelief we all decided to retire to our hotels to rest. We arranged to meet for dinner. Susan, Brenda and Jill along with our friends and family had dinner in San Francisco. We were also joined by my brother from another mother Questlove who flew in from New York just for the service. This is one of the many reasons why I adore him. For always being so selfless. After dinner we walked the cold streets of Fisherman's Wharf to Ghirardelli Square at midnight. The following day we joined Prince in Oakland. Sitting in front of Prince as he played piano on stage and sang to us was epic. He announced to the audience that we were there. We sang along, cheered him on, had tears, and laughed out loud at his adorable antics while he mesmerized us all. We felt his pain and his love for Denise. We felt his love and joy that we were there with him. The songs took us ladies on a personal journey that we will never forget. We are forever a family and there is a bond between us all that can never be broken. To celebrate Denise's life, to celebrate our reunion, to celebrate our lives and the life of Prince, we all head out to a private gathering. Great time indeed being together. Watching Susan and Jill show Prince photos of their beautiful and talented brood was so cool. The following day everyone either flew or drove home. Jill and I shared quality time on the drive and came to the realization that indeed as Jill wrote so eloquently on her Facebook: “We ladies are THE ORIGINALS.” Vanity 6. Apollonia 6. Jill Jones. Lisa & Wendy. Sheila E. And this also includes original member of Vanity 6 (before Denise Matthews entered the scene), Jaime Shoop, who sang in the group then became Prince's first manager. An honor for us all. Knowing this, I am forever honored to have met Denise Matthews. I am forever honored to have shared so many brilliant moments with my sisters Jill Jones, Brenda Bennett, Susan Moonsie, Sheila E. and Lisa and Wendy. I am forever honored to have shared such success and happiness with Prince. This is why I have woken up a better woman today. I am so grateful for what God has given me. That I am a member of this beautiful family. Thank you friends and family for your support all these years. But most of all, thank you Denise for praying for me. For praying for all of us. Your sister Patricia told me about your wishes for us. We love U. You will always be with us in spirit. Rest in bliss princess. Denise Matthews: Heaven has a new angel. Apollonia Kotero is a singer and actress who rose to fame in 1984 with her starring role as "Apollonia" opposite Prince in the movie, "Purple Rain." Kotero was brought in to replace Vanity in the movie, as well as in the group Vanity 6, which was redubbed Apollonia 6.
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Apollonia interviewed about Vanity in Spin magazine June 1989:
"Did you fight all the time? No. We met only once, after finishing "Purple Rain" at Le Circe, which was Vanity's favorite restaurant. I knew Prince and she had broken up - they were lovers during the 1999 tour - and about a year later she came back and said, "This is my movie, I want six figures." Of course she was laughed out of Minneapolis. That was sad, because she could have had it all, had she asked for less. She could have been the Pam Grier of the 80s."
https://books.google.com/books?id=OW0sKxq-OKAC&pg=PA79&lpg=PA79&dq=after+finishing+%22Purple+Rain%22+at+Le+Circe,+which+was+Vanity%27s+favorite+restaurant.&source=bl&ots=iCQWArkv5p&sig=ju_T-VzI0Q8vwtA7mqYje8r1Puw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi_0oH659XMAhUJ2B4KHYFLDe0Q6AEIHzAA#v=onepage&q=after%20finishing%20%22Purple%20Rain%22%20at%20Le%20Circe%2C%20which%20was%20Vanity%27s%20favorite%20restaurant.&f=false
Another newspaper article described it as a legal wrangle but I can't put my hands on that right now. [Edited 5/12/16 17:15pm] [Edited 5/12/16 17:40pm] | |
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I want to post the clipping but I don't know how. Can I just copy and paste an image? | |
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Yes, I read that they scripted the movie while on the 1999 tour. Purple Rain is about the two of them. Even the music in the movie is too. I don't think it was unfair of her to ask for more $$, maybe not the six figures, but definitely more substantial than $5,000.00. I wonder if Prince had regrets about this? | |
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O.k, I'm sure this has been discussed before, but was Apollonia on the long list of Prince's lovers? I'm not sure why I'm even asking, since I suspect the answer is yes. Perhaps there was a streak of jealously from both sides there? | |
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No Appolina said they never slept together or were romantically involved. While they were filming and promoting "Purple Rain" Prince said that they should pretend they were involved, but she told Oprah (she was part of Oprah's "Where are they now" show recently) that they were good friends, but nothing else. So I don't think there was jealousy between she and Vanity - she seemed to be genuinely fond of Vanity in her comments, observations etc. | |
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. THANKS FOR THE VIDEO!
. And yesss he did kiss her and they had a hug, they also said they were running out of time and had to be quick but it must have been awkward, i agree...he wanted her still, she left him, remember that so he probably stul had some mixed feelings...she was quite stunning i must say. ''The beautiful ones they hurt you every tiiiiime....''
RIP BEAUTIFUL ONES: Prince & Denise 2016 | |
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Thank you for this......so he did go and pay his respects. Nice 2 know. He also helped with her medical bills i have been reading as well...thats awesome ''The beautiful ones they hurt you every tiiiiime....''
RIP BEAUTIFUL ONES: Prince & Denise 2016 | |
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I knew this to be true, based on all i have read over the many years...this story has NEVER changed. Thats why when she died, he said at the now famous concert after she passed away ''time for a new story....'' with her gone, so was their story. Sad. ''The beautiful ones they hurt you every tiiiiime....''
RIP BEAUTIFUL ONES: Prince & Denise 2016 | |
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That very same night, at the AMAs, Prince took the stage to perform Purple Rain. That too must have stirred feelings from both of them. Stunning she was-even when she didn't have the hardcore make-up look. | |
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If you read Vanity's diary up on ebay there is a page that says Apollonia had already been to bed with Prince. It was right at the start. Maybe it was a 'screen test', Hahn's book also says they had a short fling. Apollonia had another boyfriend at the time so its understandable she did not want to admit it. I think Hahn even says that Prince, to get back at Vanity, deliberately found someone who looked like her, and took her to the club to parade her in front of Vanity, to hurt her. I guess it was a revenge f*k. [Edited 5/12/16 19:43pm] | |
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That's how I interpreted it. I could be completely off base with it, but it makes sense to me. | |
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I haven't seen the diary. Going to look. I'm not surprised and someone said on this forum, that while filming the sex scenes, it was hard for them to stop? | |
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Apples has said some very nasty stuff about Vanity, so I side eye her. Who gave the interview saying that Prince liked how kooky Vanity was? Was Susannah with P by the time Vanity gave P that award at the American Music Awards?
I am going to say this, but the impression I got at the time of the whole Purple Rain mania, was that there was a TON of bad blood toward Vanity from the Prince camp. I got the impression that only Morris was down with her and he quickly left the Prince camp after Purple Rain came out.
I side eye the Revolution in a way-if I am correct, I don't think any of them-with the exception of Brown Mark had a good word to say about Vanity at the time of her passing. I got the distinct impression then and now that Wendy and Lisa in particular disliked Vanity. They didn't comment on Vanity at all re her passing. None of them went to her funeral nor did I think they sent their condoloences. So I think that for whatever reason, the Revolution disliked Vanity a lot. If I am wrong, correct me. "Lack of home training crosses all boundaries." | |
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Lol this is turning into some gossip thread. As as far as the Revolution members not saying anything about Vanity's passing, well I don't know why that was the case. I don't think they disliked her, they were just more into the music and loyal to Prince so when Vanity left, they moved on without her. [Edited 5/12/16 20:08pm] Love is God,
God is Love | |
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That's interesting. Someone claiming to be Vanity's friend posted a video after her death. He mentioned when he went to her house the first time, she put a white snake on his shoulder LOL. I didn't watch the video but the part about the white snake is around 13:35 https://www.youtube.com/w...Ek2Y7Fbvgs
eta
I watched a little more of the video. He mentioned Vanity saying the song "Let's Go Crazy" was about her and talked a bit (very short bit) about sensing hurt & loyalty regarding Vanity's relationship with Prince.
[Edited 5/12/16 20:39pm] | |
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