Before his untimely death in 2016, Purple One, as Apollonia Kotero, a close friend and former protege of Prince, revealed that he had major plans for the future. These plans included new music, an upcoming memoir, and even the possibility of a follow-up book and film.
In order to uphold the legacy, he had even given Kotero and her fellow band members from Apollonia 6 the sole privileges to use the group’s name.
Kotero expressed, “He had many plans. He was happy. I was excited. Man, this party is getting wild. I need to go back to vocal classes. I have to rehearse. I have to go to the gym and work out. Now I have to go to the gym, just like I initially thought.”
Ever since Prince passed away on April 21, 2016, things took a different turn, plunging Kotero into what she described as a deep state of depression, as she revealed in her latest interview.
I have never felt such severe depression before, in a way that I had never experienced. I didn’t think I would ever feel this way, especially not with the people I love. I have never discussed this with anyone before, and it feels strange to say it publicly for the first time. If I didn’t know that I was going to make this statement, it would sound strange to me. I have never suffered from such severe depression before, in a way that I had never felt. I was feeling very depressed and couldn’t stop crying physically. Recently, someone from the Associated Press told me over the phone, “If I didn’t know that I was going to make this statement, it would sound strange to me, especially not with the people I love. I have never discussed this with anyone before, and it feels strange to say it publicly for the first time. I couldn’t stop crying physically.
After the passing of Prince, three years have elapsed and Kotero has recently decided to share her thoughts publicly. She maintains a strong connection with her fellow band members and was a member of the trio Apollonia 6 alongside Brenda Bennett and Susan Moonsie, both of whom were previous vocalists in Vanity 6. Kotero also had a prominent role in the 1984 film “Purple Rain”.
I said, “I have many professional reasons to not be with him.” I believe that he respected what I think, and I wasn’t easily manipulated. I always supported him and we faced our difficulties together. There is a different type of respect that I had for him for 33 years. We were friends, we are like family — we never dated and he is a Prince.”
Kotero recalled some of her last conversations with Prince, saying they talked about “family, his parents, politics, love, death, dementia, our marriages.”.
She continued, “Previously, we avoided discussing any of the topics that we eventually addressed. However, as we mature, we now find ourselves in a different mindset. We are now considered older individuals, and we may reflect, ‘Wow, I simply observed.’ These older individuals do not possess the same perspective as the younger generation, as they might say, ‘Look at what he has given me’.”
She mentioned that when he requested her to participate in the follow-up to “Purple Rain” called “Graffiti Bridge,” she declined.
“I remember,” I said, recalling, “This is a horrible piece.” He sent me the script, it read, “Oh my god.”
During her visit to Paisley Park in 2014, she brought up her participation in a real sequel and shared the story with him.
She said, “The irony of it, it was just that. He gave me this blank look and I gave him two reasons why he would die. It was a little bit dark because he dies in it. He enjoyed it.”
Kotero said that Prince wanted to write a book after he finished his “Beautiful Ones” release on Oct. 29 from Random House.
She remembered, “He stated, ‘I desire for you to cease recounting the invaluable anecdotes as you are planning to compose a book, specifically your autobiography.'” “Indeed, within the upcoming year, your publication will be made available, as you have mentioned,” he replied.
Additionally, she noted that within his vaults, Prince bequeathed her a house music album and commenced his endeavors on a motion picture entitled Apollonia 6.
Additionally beneficial was composing an extensive message to Prince — shared on her Facebook page four months following his passing — for alleviating her sadness subsequent to Prince’s demise, Kotero attributes her trust in God.
Now, she is prepared to return to her professional life.
She expressed, “I am a lyricist. My enthusiasm is employment, crooning, performing, ballet, generating, scripting. I am experiencing an improved state of being regarding existence. My existence has been altered. Prince transformed my existence upon our initial encounter and when he cast me in his movie. He altered my existence once more when he departed from us prematurely.”
She expressed, “I genuinely think that when the Almighty fashioned Prince, he crafted the utmost flawless melody. That emanates from my soul. I wholeheartedly believe that. He personifies music.”