En Vogue celebrated their 35th anniversary on The Jennifer Hudson Show, sharing the story behind their iconic name.
From “Vogue” to “En Vogue”
Terry Ellis recounted, “We put names in a pot and we settled on the name Vogue.” However, legal issues arose. Cindy Herron explained, “There was a group called the Vogues.” To avoid conflicts, their producers suggested adding an “En” to the name. Ellis noted, “Our producers came up with the idea to add the E-n, and we loved it.”
Influences and Legacy
The group cited influences like The Supremes, The Emotions, and Patti LaBelle. Ellis expressed gratitude, saying, “We’re just grateful that we were put in a position and had the level of success that we had, to inspire others.”
Maxine Jones, who rejoined the group in March 2025 after a 13-year hiatus, shared her reasons for returning: “We had been in talks for a couple of years, and then we were just waiting for the right opportunity. And then it just felt right for the NBA All-Star run reunion,” she said.
En Vogue’s debut album, Born to Sing, released in 1990, featured hits like “Hold On,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart. The album was later certified platinum.
Their success continued with songs like “Free Your Mind” and “Don’t Let Go (Love).” The group has received multiple Grammy nominations and remains a significant influence in R&B and pop music.
Reflecting on their journey, Ellis remarked, “We’re just grateful that we were put in a position and had the level of success that we had, to inspire others.”