Personal life. In 1980, Matthews attended the American Music Awards with Rick James where she met Prince. Matthews and Prince then began dating shortly after. Vanity was linked romantically to Adam Ant (who wrote the track "Vanity" about her on his Strip album) and Billy Idol.

Did Prince have a relationship with Vanity?

According to The Washington Post, Vanity's relationship with Prince lasted three years. After that, she began to fade from the spotlight. ... During a sermon, the artist formerly known as Vanity asked her congregation if they listened to “Nasty Girl” or similar songs.

Did Prince date Vanity or Apollonia?

Prince dated Vanity in the late '80s when she featured in the group Vanity 6. She tragically died in February of this year from renal failure due to severe drug use in the early days of her career. The couple parted ways as Vanity, real name Denise Matthews, developed a crack cocaine habit.