Prince Was ‘Embarrased’ Meeting Other Celebrities, Once Banned Bruce Springsteen and Madonna from His Dressing Room

Prince, the iconic musician famed for his purple fashion and chart-topping hits, was known to appear uncomfortable in the company of other celebrities, according to those who worked closely with him. As the music world marks the seventh anniversary of his untimely death on April 21, 2016, at the age of 57, various collaborators reflected on his complex relationship with fame in a recent piece by The Guardian.

Bobby Z, the drummer for Prince and the Revolution, revealed that the star often preferred not to mingle with fellow artists unless he was genuinely a fan. “He found meeting other celebrities very uncomfortable unless he was a fan,” said Bobby Z, who is now 70. He recalled occasions where Prince seemed bashful or disinterested around iconic figures, recounting one instance in which both Bruce Springsteen and Madonna were unable to enter Prince’s dressing room and instead had to use the band’s facilities.

Despite his fame, Prince maintained a level of shyness that made him uneasy in celebrity settings. Bobby Z suggested that, apart from a memorable handshake with Elizabeth Taylor, Prince was largely uninterested in conversing with other stars. However, there was one artist he was eager to engage with; the late David Bowie, whom he met at Paisley Park. Bobby Z noted that the encounter felt warm and mutual, as Prince viewed Bowie as an equal.

Owen Husney, who was one of Prince’s first managers, contributed to this portrayal of the artist’s character. “He was a shy guy, more comfortable with 10,000 people in a room than five,” Husney remembered, highlighting the paradox of Prince’s immense talent and his discomfort in intimate settings. Similarly, Susan Rogers, who served as Prince’s audio engineer, noted that he was not fond of small talk and often experienced the loneliness that could accompany his artistic vision. In lighter moments, she would try to comfort him with homemade cookies.

George Clinton, the legendary frontman of Parliament-Funkadelic, shared his memories of spending time with Prince. Clinton recalled that the musician was insatiably curious about the past, often asking him about his encounters with musical legends like Sam Cooke and Jimi Hendrix. Clinton shared a humorous incident in which he was outsmarted by Prince; after a performance in London, Prince called out his name to the audience, drawing attention away from himself and allowing him to slip out unnoticed.

Further anecdotes about Prince’s reticence around other celebrities emerged from actors Matt Damon and Julia Stiles, who met him after a film premiere in London. Describing their encounter, Stiles recounted that despite the occasion, Prince’s focus seemed less on them and more on sharing a profound statement: “I live inside my own heart, Matt Damon,” he responded when Damon inquired about his Minnesota roots.

Yet, there were moments that showcased his interest in celebrity culture. Prince was keen on joining the female-centric Lilith Fair tour and even made a guest appearance on a 2014 episode of the sitcom “New Girl.” Such instances indicate that while he was often reticent in social situations, he still engaged with the broader cultural landscape in his unique way.

Reflecting on Prince’s legacy, his reluctance to mingle with the stars and his discomfort in celebrity encounters paint a picture of an enigmatic artist. One who, despite being a colossal presence on the global stage, remained true to his nature and sought authenticity over superficial connections.

As fans and fellow artists remember Prince on the anniversary of his passing, these insights shed new light on the complexities of his character and his extraordinary career. While his life was marked by unparalleled musical success, it was the quiet moments of introspection and genuine connection that seemed to resonate deeply with him. His ability to move millions with his sound did not extend to the frenetic world of celebrity, where he often found himself an unwilling participant.