Prince, the 1980s pop icon who died Thursday at age 57, played mentor to many women over the years. But perhaps no one benefited more than ballerina Misty Copeland.
Last year the 33-year-old was vaulted to the A-list after American Ballet Theatre made Copeland the first African-American principal dancer in its 75-year-history.
But the classically trained ballerina was an unknown in 2009, when she got a call early one morning informing her that Prince wanted to speak with her.
“I was literally still waking up,” she told New York Magazine. “‘What? Prince who?'”
It turned out that the “When Doves Cry” singer/songwriter was looking for a ballerina to cast in the video for his song, “Crimson and Clover.”
Prince flew her out to Los Angeles for the shoot, which Copeland recalled as relaxed, at least by ballet’s rigorous standards. “After every take, I’d ask him what he wanted, but he said, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing,'” Copeland told New York.
The music star encouraged PBS interviewer Tavis Smiley, with whom he had struck up a friendship, to have Copeland on as a guest. Smiley interviewed Copeland in February 2011.
“Little did we know she would become such a superstar, but as usual Prince had a perfect eye for talent,” Neal Kendall, Smiley’s executive producer at the time, told TheWrap. “It was not about him, it was about how he could help someone he felt was worthy gain attention.”
Other women who were mentored by Prince — and sometimes linked romantically to the pop star — include Vanity, Sheila E. and Carmen Electra.
11 Songs You Didn't Realize Prince Wrote, From 'Manic Monday' to 'Stand Back' (Videos)
"Manic Monday" by The Bangles
Prince wrote this track for Apollonia 6 in 1984, but decided to hold onto it. Two years later, it became the Bangles' breakout hit.
"Jungle Love" by The Time
The Time's biggest impact on pop culture, "Jungle Love" was co-written by Prince under the pseudonym Jamie Starr.
"Round and Round" by Tevin Campbell
Prince wrote and produced this song for Campbell's platinum debut record "T.E.V.I.N."
"I Feel For You" by Chaka Khan
Originally appeared on Prince's 1979 self-titled album and made famous five years later. Prince won a Grammy for Best R&B Song for her cover.
"Love Song" by Madonna
Prince player guitar, uncredited, on three "Like a Prayer" tracks, and "Love Song" was a full-blown collaboration between the two.
"Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor
Originally performed by Prince's side project the Family, Sinead O'Connor's cover turned the track into a smash.
"The Glamorous Life" by Sheila E
Sheila E was Prince's protege of sorts, and her biggest hit was written and produced by him
"A Love Bizarre" by Sheila E
Sheila E's other big hit also was written by and featured Prince's background vocals.
"The Bird" by The Time
Prince wrote, produced and played all the instruments except guitar on what would be one of the Time's seminal hits.
“How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore“ by Alicia Keys
Originally a B-side for the Prince record "1999," Keys revived it in 2001 with a spelling change -- the Prince version was called "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore."
"Stand Back" by Stevie Nicks
The story goes that Nicks wrote "Stand Back" while listening to the Prince track "Little Red Corvette" -- and then Prince decided to help out with the studio recording, playing synth and probably contributing in other more intangible ways.
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Music legend, who died in 2016, had a hand in more hits than you know him for
"Manic Monday" by The Bangles
Prince wrote this track for Apollonia 6 in 1984, but decided to hold onto it. Two years later, it became the Bangles' breakout hit.
