Prince’s Sisters On ‘Today’: Prince Had A 22.5-Inch Waist In 1984 — And His Doves Stopped Talking The Day He Died [Videos]

Prince had a pair of doves, and according to Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson, those two doves stopped chirping and speaking after Prince died. The theme of doves has long been a symbol throughout Prince’s life and in his song lyrics. As seen below, Prince held up his hand as he accepted the American Music Award for his popular song “When Doves Cry” in 1985.

“When Doves Cry” was a song that spoke of the cries of doves being a sad cry, such as the sound of people arguing.

Tyka told Today in the below video that she knew something was wrong when she entered Paisley Park and the doves weren’t making any noise. Prince’s sister said she advised folks in Paisley Park to play Prince’s music so that the doves might start chirping and talking once more, as doves do.

Nelson also told Today that because she was the closest sibling to Prince, she is likely the one taking Prince’s death the hardest. She is finally coming to the realization that Prince is actually dead.

It seems apropos of Prince, who showed off his spiritual side in songs like “God,” to have biblical pets such as doves in his Paisley Park home. Like when God warned John the Baptist that Jesus was “The One” by sending a spiritual dove of sorts to land and settle upon him, Prince’s leanings towards doves spoke to there being something special about Prince himself.

Prince’s pair of doves are reminiscent of the biblical story in Luke, when Jesus was presented at the temple, according to Bible Hub. Like the common themes of sexuality and spirituality in Prince’s music, the thought of Prince having two doves within the walls of Paisley Park harkens to scriptural themes of death, sacrifice, and power.

“As it is written in the Law of the Lord: ‘Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord’), and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: ‘A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’ Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

As seen in the above and below videos, Today gave its viewers a sneak peek inside Paisley Park — Prince’s home and studio. Just like Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Prince’s Paisley Park is a place where fans can come and feel closer to the star they’ve worshipped for years after his death. Although the private living quarters inside Paisley Park will be off-limits to Prince’s fans, they will get a chance to see other parts of Paisley Park, which Prince planned to use as a museum for his fans years before his death.

Al Roker showed off Prince paraphernalia inside Paisley Park prior to the estate allowing the public to see inside Prince’s digs on Thursday.

Paisley Park has been Prince’s Minnesota estate for decades. Now, Prince fans who make the trek there can see Prince’s custom-made clothing with “Prince” on the labels. There is also a Purple Rain room that houses the motorcycles, script, and other memorabilia from the movie of the same name.

Prince was called a hoarder in the video interviews, something that served Prince well since the musician always had it in mind to turn Paisley Park into a place many people could visit.

As seen in the video, Prince’s small clothing, which fit his 22.5-inch waist in 1984, are on display.

Prince’s sisters Norrine and Sharon Nelson are seen in the videos, with the women saying they could feel Prince’s spirit as they stood inside Paisley Park.

Tyka said Prince’s fans might feel as though they’ve seen Prince when they come to Paisley Park.

“I want them to maybe feel like maybe they saw Prince up close. Sometimes when you’re a fan, you get to only to see them from a seat, but this way, you’re almost face-to-face with him.”

In the top photo above, Prince can be seen during a performance at the Orange Bowl on April 7, 1985. Prince was 57 when he died.

[Featured Photo by Phil Sandlin/AP Images]