We don't know how we missed it, but yesterday marked the 25th anniversary of the release of Purple Rain—the movie, not the album. And when we think of that classic film, we think of one thing: Prince getting his ass beat by his dad Apollonia stripping down to go skinny-dipping in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.
Prince has always had top-shelf taste in women, and nothing shows that more than the impressive list of singers, dancers, and just plain hot girls whom he discovered, changed the names of, and mentored (presumably with his genitals). It was actually tough to narrow it down to ten, but we're pressed for space (this bandwidth ain't cheap, people). So, Apollonia, this one's for you!
APOLLONIA
Real Name: Apollonia Kotero
Prince Era: Purple Rain
Fun Fact: Actually recorded the first version of "Manic Monday" (which Prince wrote), before those filthy Bangles took it and blew up.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KIM BASINGER
Real Name: uh, Kim Basinger.
Prince Era: Batman soundtrack
Fun Fact: A rumor persists to this day involving Prince, Kim, a recording session, and a pot honey. No, a literal pot of honey.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIAMOND AND PEARL
Real Names: Lori Elle and Robia LaMorte
Prince Era: Diamonds and Pearls
Fun Fact: Diamond and Pearl are not actually composed of the mineral substances they're named after. Shocker, we know.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHEENA EASTON
Real Name: Sheena Orr
Prince Era: Between 1999 and Purple Rain
Fun Fact: Prince wrote her hit "Sugar Walls" under the pseudonym "Alexander Nevermind." We're guessing he blew his cleverness load on that song's oh-so-cryptic title.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CARMEN ELECTRA
Real Name: Tara Patrick (and now you know where Linda Ann Hopkins got her porn name!)
Prince Era: When he changed his name to that glyph that means "I hate Warner Brothers."
Fun Fact: On her eponymous debut R&B/rap album, Carmen actually didn't write her own lyrics. We know!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAYTE GARCIA
Real Name: Mayte Garcia
Prince Era: Chaos and Disorder, Emancipation, Crystal Ball. (Three albums, 9 CDs, combined sales of 17. We see why they got the marriage annulled.)
Fun Fact: At one time she was considered the world's youngest belly dancer. And Prince is the world's oldest woodland nymph!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAJA SEVELLE
Real Name: Nancy Richardson
Prince Era: Sign O' The Times
Fun Fact: Her website claims that she invented a "kitchen appliance that will debut on QVC this holiday season." Get your credit cards ready.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TÃMAR
Real Name: Ashley Davis
Prince Era: 3121
Fun Fact: She was one of the original members of Girl's Tyme, along with Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland. Guess what group that went on to become? If you said Bell Biv DeVoe, you're right!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRIA VALENTE
Real Name: Brenda Fuentes
Prince Era: Planet Earth and Lotusflow3r
Fun Fact: Looks just a teensy bit like a man. Is that a fun fact? It is if you're into trannies!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VANITY
Real Name: Denise Matthews
Prince Era: Controversy and 1999
Fun Fact: Before she met Prince, Vanity was the face of Pearl Drops toothpaste. A face full of pearl drops? That's Prince's top requirement!
The Devil July 28th, 2009 at 08:08 PM
And this folks is why nobody thinks Prince is gay, even though he dresses and acts the way he does
Goliano July 28th, 2009 at 08:58 PM
Cat Glover, a high school classmate, is notably absent from the list. http://prince.org/msg/5/166931
Jacqulyn Gonzalez July 23rd, 2010 at 02:19 AM
Classmates with Cat. I grew up with Cathy Glover. 1 block. We went to school together. Who are you? Cat isn't listed because she was not part of that number!
soniashubert February 26th, 2011 at 04:18 PM
WOW I went to high school with Bria in Minnesota. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She should be very proud of her accomplishments. Go Bria!
Me II July 28th, 2009 at 11:02 PM
What, no Martika? Fail.
jordan 6 rings August 12th, 2009 at 10:33 PM
so many beaty.
Charlie Murphy August 30th, 2009 at 12:30 AM
You guy's forgot Micki Free, she was definitely Princes best find...
Ben De Los Angeles September 23rd, 2009 at 09:41 PM
Just wanted to correct a mistake for U guys. Appolonia's real name is Patricia Kotero. Check your facts guys!
Sean Glover September 24th, 2009 at 01:32 PM
I have never considered Sheena Easton a Prince protege. She had her own successful career prior to meeting Prince and after.
lindsay mays November 1st, 2009 at 03:07 AM
theyre are no blondes with fake tans, fake lips, and fake boobs- yay! theyre all dark, exotic, and NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL!
fashionista101 December 2nd, 2009 at 07:53 PM
All these ladies are gorgeous. Bria valente looks nothing like a man. That not funny at all. I dont know where that comes from, its so obvious she is all woman. She is an exotic beauty like Vanity and Appolonia. Naturally beautiful and talented with curves!!!! Dont hate, congratulate.
raqelrocks February 26th, 2011 at 04:15 PM
AMEN sister!
Darah Mcclain December 30th, 2009 at 06:38 AM
Bria Valente is an exotic beauty LIKE Vanity and Apples?? Don't hate on me but HELL NO! She'll never reach the Vanity-level of real beauty! Her CD is okay but I just listened to it a couple of times. The only good thing on that record is Prince playing his guitar. The beats are weak and her voice isn't that great. I don't believe she wrote a lot on that album, too. I still wanna know what's going on right now with her. She never promoted her album but was introduced as a protogé. I heard somewhere that Prince just did some old friend (Valente's father) a favour. I hope I'm right with that information.
frederickgeives February 26th, 2011 at 04:13 PM
My God quit hatin on the girl damn! Catty females need to be more confident in themselves and put away the cat claws. Live and let live why do you get all bent out of shape about someone you don't know LOL