Vanilla Ice is the stage name of often troubled entertainer Robert Matthew Van Winkle, whose one big hit song was "Ice Ice Baby." Vanilla Ice has been one of those singers whose work has depended more on his looks and attitude than on his actual singing ability. Even so, his cool, knowing expression and good features helped propel this 1990 song about a Miami gunfight to success on the charts. VanWinkle came by his stage name early on when he was trying to break into show biz by breakdancing and rapping.
A year after his big hit song, a biography full of misinformation appeared. He continued to perform funky rap, appeared on reality TV shows, attempted suicide and was twice arrested for assaulting his wife. All in all, not the smoothest career progression.
From his performance on The Surreal Life, I'm not sure if Vanilla Ice ever actually saw himself as a temporary celebrity. The ego is an amazing thing - even for one-hit wonders.
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