Prince (June 10, 1985) – Chronicle Tribune – Prince Protégé Vanity Takes Charge of Her Career
Vanity, Prince’s former protégé and former leader of Vanity 6 / Apollonia 6, asserts full control over her career, starring in the new film The Last Dragon and releasing her own solo album on Motown.
Publication: Chronicle Tribune Date: Monday, June 10, 1985 Country: United States Location: Marion, Indiana Section: Entertainment
THE STORY
The article profiles Vanity (Denise Matthews) one year after Purple Rain, highlighting how she has taken complete charge of her career after leaving Prince’s camp. It describes her playfully pushing her manager aside during a photo session to fix her own hair and straighten her leopard-skin sash. Vanity insists she is talented, in control, and more than just the sexy image she projects. She discusses her three-year relationship with Prince, her exit from the group (now Apollonia 6), her role in Purple Rain, and her new film The Last Dragon where she plays a more subdued character. She is also preparing her debut Motown solo album Wild Animal and writing songs for her next project. The piece notes mixed reviews of her film work and her comfort with her sensual stage persona.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
This story appeared exactly one year after the release of Purple Rain. Vanity had left Prince’s inner circle in 1984, reverted to her stage name Vanity, and signed with Motown for her solo career. The article captures the moment she was stepping out from under Prince’s shadow while still benefiting from the massive exposure Purple Rain had given her. It also reflects the mid-1980s trend of Prince protégés (Vanity, Apollonia, Sheila E., etc.) launching independent careers.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Vanity career profile / post-Prince independence
Era: Post-Purple Rain / 1985 solo career Tone: Feature / Celebrity profile (Associated Press)
Photography: Black-and-white photo of a storefront (B&L Appliances Video Disc Center) alongside the article; small illustrated ad for B&L Laundromat at bottom right
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
Bold headline: “Prince protege takes charge of career”
Vanity asserting independence from Prince and her former management
Details of her role in Purple Rain and new film The Last Dragon
Discussion of her sensual image, songwriting, and upcoming Motown album Wild Animal
Quotes from Vanity about talent, control, and moving beyond the “Nasty Girl” person
RELATED MATERIAL
Connects directly to the 1984 Purple Rain campaign clippings and earlier coverage of Vanity 6 / Apollonia 6 as Prince protégés.
For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.
Connects directly to the 1984 Purple Rain campaign clippings and earlier coverage of Vanity 6 / Apollonia 6 as Prince protégés.
For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.
All magazine scans, photographs and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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