Prince shut R&B crooner Eric Benet out of the Essence Black Women in Music pre-Grammy event in Hollywood because Benet is engaged to his ex-wife, Manuela Testolini, sources told Page Six.
The event Tuesday night at Playhouse in Hollywood honored Grammy-nominated singer Janelle Monae. Benet, who was married to Halle Berry, was disinvited once Prince was expected as a special guest. Organizers believed it was because Prince didn’t want to be in the company of his ex.
Prince married Testolini, an entrepreneur who also used to work for his charities, in 2001, after he divorced his first wife, backup dancer Mayte Garcia.
The “Purple Rain” rocker and Testolini were married for five years until she filed for divorce in 2006. At the time, Prince’s lawyer, Patrick Cousins, told People magazine: “This isn’t something that he wanted . . . He didn’t countersue. He is just trying to get it resolved.”
Benet was married to Berry from 2001 to 2003, but the couple split amid rumors he cheated on the Oscar-winning actress, which he later denied. Testolini started dating Benet in 2008, and in November, Benet proposed to her by singing a song he’d written, “Never Want to Live Without You.”
Twice-married Prince has been linked to a series of women over the years, including Kim Basinger, Madonna and Carmen Electra. His first wife, Garcia, described him in a 2006 interview as “a bit controlling.” He has most recently been linked to ballerina Misty Copeland, who performs in his shows.
Others at the Essence magazine event included Sean “Diddy” Combs — also reportedly cold-shouldered by Prince, who seemed unfriendly when Combs went to shake his hand — Cee Lo Green and Joy Bryant. Monae performed four songs at the event, including her hit “Tightrope” with OutKast rapper Big Boi.
Reps for Prince, Benet and Essence all declined to comment.