Never forgotten. Prince was remembered at a top-secret, star-studded memorial service in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 11, organized by his ex-wives, Manuela Testolini and Mayte Garcia.
Entertainment Tonight reports that the emotional event was attended by some of the people closest to the late “Purple Rain” singer, with the location of the memorial being a closely guarded secret in the run-up to the service.
Spike Lee was one of the celebrities who attended. He shared that he was planning to wear purple to the memorial in order to honor his late friend.
“Purple Beret And Purple Kobe’s For Prince Memorial Tonight In El LAY,” the movie director captioned a photograph of his aptly colored clothes. Other stars who were present at the close-knit gathering include Dita Von Teese, musician Nile Rodgers and Prince’s ex Anna Fantastic.
An order of service obtained by ET shows that the memorial began with Prince’s “Sometimes It Snows in April,” and was followed by opening remarks from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Cheryl Boone Isaacs.
Lee and Rodgers both offered their “reflections” on the singer’s life and passing. Gwen Stefani (who later shared an Instagram of the program) and Larry King were also present at the gathering.
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Last week, Prince’s family released a statement regarding speculation about Wednesday’s event and future memorial plans.
“Contrary to previous and current reports, there has been no memorial, funeral or tribute service for Prince that was organized or authorized by the family or Paisley Park representatives,” the statement, which was signed by Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson and his five stepsiblings, Alfred Jackson, John Nelson, Norrine Nelson, Omarr Baker and Sharon Nelson, read. “Together, the family is planning an official memorial service and public event to take place in the near future.”
Baker was the closest family member to attend Wednesday night’s event.
As Us Weekly reported previously, Prince passed away on Thursday, April 21, at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota. He was 57 years old.
