INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Justin Timberlake, Will Smith And Other Celebs Pay Tribute To Prince

By Nancy Bailey
Published on: 11:17 PST, Apr 21, 2016

Prince is everywhere, remembered as the color purple unfurls across landmarks in the nation and the world.

The Purple Rain star’s signature hue is displayed all over in Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul where the 57-year-old music legend grew up. Hollywood Life noted that Target Field in Minneapolis was lit up in purple.

“Fitting that it’s raining in Minneapolis today,” said the Minnesota Twins Twitter account.

While the world still reels from the shock of losing the iconic pop star known as Prince, celebrities most touched by his music are beginning to come forward.

Justin Timberlake had plenty to say about the superstar, as Prince had a tremendous impact on him as a child, as well as influencing “every song I’ve ever written.”

According to Rolling Stone, Timberlake shared a heartfelt memory on his Instagram account on Thursday after hearing of his idol’s passing.

“It was Raspberry Beret. I was 4 years old. Yes, 4. I remember that I instantly loved it. “Mommy, who is that singing?” Seems weird but it’s true.
More than a “once in a lifetime” artist… Just a ONCE IN FOREVER ARTIST. I’m still in shock as I write this and I feel this overwhelming grief. But, we should all turn away from that and HONOR this musician that changed all of our lives, our perspectives, our feeling, our whole being. From another planet? Probably. Royalty, for sure. Us worthy..? Laughable.
They say don’t meet your idols… That they let you down. But, some of my greatest, funniest (yes, he was hilarious), and most prolific encounters and conversations about music came from the moments that I spent with him. It would be silly to say that he has inspired our music… It’s beyond that. He’s somewhere within every song I’ve ever written.
I am sad, but I will smile when I think of every second that I had the fortune of being in his company. We have lost our greatest living musician. But his music will never die.
Prince, NOTHING COMPARES…
#RIPPrince”

Actor Will Smith was one of Prince’s last contacts, E! Online reported.

“I am stunned and heartbroken. I just spoke with him last night. Today, Jada & I mourn with all of you the loss of a beautiful poet, a true inspiration, and one of the most magnificent artists to ever grace this earth.”

“Prince R.I.P.,” Whoopi Goldberg wrote.

“This is what it sounds like when doves cry…
Condolences to his family & 2 us all.”

Ellen Degenerous chimed in.

“Prince was brilliant and larger than life. What a sad day.”

Mariah Carey dedicated her song, “One Sweet Day” to Prince, while she was performing in Paris.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdP624-In50

Toni Braxton tweeted that Prince had helped her through some bad times.

“Throughout the years, and all of my crises, Prince was always there for me. During my bankruptcy he asked me to go on the road with him.

“When I made the decision to retire he called me and told me that I had a gift and that I could not stop now. He was like my big brother.

“I will miss him so much. He was as special of a friend as he was a brilliant talent. My condolences to his family. Good night, sweet Prince.”

“It’s surreal,” Aretha Franklin said. “Unbelievable. He was such an original…. There truly was only one Prince.”

There have been no funeral arrangements announced yet, as Prince’s family gathers in Minnesota to mourn him. However, according to an Inquisitr article, Westboro Baptist Church has threatened to picket the event.

[Photo by Jakob Joergensen/AP]

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