Stars react to Prince's death: 'A world less funky. I don't want to believe it'

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Prince performs at the Forum in Inglewood on Feb. 18, 1985. (Liu Heung Shing / Associated Press )

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People get emotional while talking about Prince at a memorial for the artist in Leimert Park.

(Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

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A rainbow appears over Paisley Park near a memorial for Prince in Chanhassen, Minn. Prince, widely acclaimed as one of the most inventive and influential musicians of his era with hits including “Little Red Corvette,” ’’Let’s Go Crazy” and “When Doves Cry,” was found dead at his home at Paisley Park on Thursday.

(Carlos Gonzalez / Star Tribune via AP)

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Prince performs at the St. Paul Civic Center in St. Paul, Minn. on Dec. 25, 1984.

(David Brewster / AP)

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Prince performs on stage on the Hit N Run-Parade Tour at Wembley Arena in London in August 1986.

(Michael Putland / Getty Images)

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Prince performs at the Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 9, 2011.

(Balazs Mohai / EPA)

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Prince at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium, on Nov. 8, 2010.

(Dirk Waem / EPA)

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Prince presents an award at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Nov. 22, 2015.

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

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Prince performs at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in 2008.

(Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

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A shirtless Prince performs in 1986.

(Mario Suriani / Associated Press)

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Prince and Manuela Testolini arrive at the 2005 Academy Awards.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Prince and Manuela Testolini arrive at the 2005 Annual Academy Awards.

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Prince performs at the Super Bowl in 2007.

(Evan Agostini / Getty Images)

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Prince in 2008.

(Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

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Prince performs “Purple Rain” at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards in 2004.

(Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

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Prince performs at the Super Bowl in 2007.

(Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)

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Prince with Beyonce at the 2004 Grammy Awards.

(Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

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Prince performs on ABC’s “Good Morning America” in 2006.

(Peter Kramer / Getty Images)

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The crowd at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood before a Prince concert in 2007.

(Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

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Prince performs in France in 2011. (Bertrand Guay / AFP/Getty Images)

By Christie D’ZurillaStaff Writer

April 21, 2016 10:33 AM PT

Reaction to Prince's death Thursday at age 57 welled up almost instantly as word began to spread: Please, don't let it be true.

Then confirmation came, and the breadth of Prince's appeal was reflected in the diverse scope of famous folks expressing their sadness.

FULL COVERAGE: Prince | 1958-2016 >>

It was more than the usual "RIP": Oprah Winfrey was listening to his music. Justin Timberlake was numb. Mariah Carey would never get over it. Spike Lee missed his brother, "a funny cat," and Boy George declared it the worst day ever. Chelsea Clinton offered up thoughts and prayers to the family, and Neil deGrasse Tyson said: "Only now do we know what it sounds like When Doves Cry — the absence of music from loss of The Artist."

https://twitter.com/SheilaEdrummer/status/723223325779046400

https://twitter.com/MissyElliott/status/723208666300702723

https://twitter.com/Oprah/status/723222021761556480

https://twitter.com/PaulMcCartney/status/723270843904757761

https://twitter.com/SimonJCLeBON/status/723209000750186496

https://twitter.com/RobLowe/status/723211387300880384

https://twitter.com/shondarhimes/status/723196629415645185

https://twitter.com/MariahCarey/status/723229875688083457

https://twitter.com/latoyajackson/status/723198822768205824

https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/723198977324122112

https://twitter.com/ChelseaClinton/status/723199159365427200

It was Raspberry Beret. I was 4 years old. Yes, 4. I remember that I instantly loved it. 'Mommy, who is that singing?' Seems weird but it's true.
— Justin Timberlake

At a time when the world was all about Michael Jackson I secretly always dug Prince a little more.
— Dane Cook

https://twitter.com/katyperry/status/723197982481375232

https://twitter.com/BoyGeorge/status/723199431118606337

https://twitter.com/chrisrock/status/723195576490307584

https://twitter.com/neiltyson/status/723201454840897536

https://twitter.com/britneyspears/status/723246568594268160

"The funk oozing out of you was un-controllable," said Rita Ora, 24, who collaborated with Prince last year. "I'm not quite sure what to do with myself but I will miss you forever and always."

https://twitter.com/ChakaKhan/status/723206754608156673

https://twitter.com/TheEllenShow/status/723199225740173312

"Lots of big stars have made waves nationally and internationally, but Prince by far was the most groundbreaking more than anyone ... even the way he entered a room, always surrounded with that magical air of superstardom, mystique, and genius," music producer Tommy Mottola said in a statement.

"Bringing together film and music with 'Purple Rain' was a glimpse into the future of not only the music industry, but the entire media and entertainment industry. When you saw Prince, you never knew what you were going to get, but you always knew it was going to be greatness and something spectacular."

https://twitter.com/MCHammer/status/723202503244914688

https://twitter.com/djjazzyjeff215/status/723195985053114368

https://twitter.com/JordanPeele/status/723204720580403200

If music is the language of the heavens consider that brother Prince now has the glorious opportunity to be on a musical tour for eternity.
— Iyanla Vanzant, TV personality and inspirational speaker