Celebs React to Prince’s Death: Spike Lee Throws Dance Party, JHud Sings, Stevie Wonder Says ‘He Influenced Me’

Sinema Blaze

Many celebrities have been impacted by Prince’s sudden death at 57 yesterday. Their reactions have poured in steadily online.

Will Smith revealed he spoke to Prince the night before he died.

Oprah took inspiration from the fashionable singer’s song “When Doves Cry” for her tweet.

Prince the doves really are crying now. Listening to your music. Remembering you. #RIPPrince

— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) April 21, 2016

Aretha Franklin told ABC News the legend’s death “was just a blow  — a real blow…. He had longevity in the industry simply because he was a natural and he had ‘it’. What they call ‘it’ in the business,” adding “he’s gone, but his music will live on forever.”

TV personality Sherri Shepard shared a memory of Prince on “The View,” something she said she “will cherish forever.”

When Prince told me he loved me… A #memory I will cherish forever. He brought me onstage to dance with him and he whispered "don't let go"… It's a sad day but I will always remember the joy #RIP my dear sweet #Prince

A video posted by Sherri (@sherrieshepherd) on Apr 21, 2016 at 12:11pm PDT

Usher received the bad news after arriving home from Cuba.

Just came back from Cuba & received horrible news. Such an iconic legend. Will forever cherish u & what u gave this earth sir. Love u Prince

— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) April 21, 2016

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross, who currently stars on “black-ish,” tweeted a photo of the icon with a broken heart emoji.

? rest in peace #Prince pic.twitter.com/Kl9attiR65

— Tracee Ellis Ross (@TraceeEllisRoss) April 21, 2016

To honor Prince,  Spike Lee threw an impromptu dance party Thursday night. The celebration was held at his 40 Acres & a Mule Filmworks production company in Brooklyn, New York. Hundreds of people attended.

"Life is just a party meant to last" When @officialspikelee gives you just a few hours notice on a #Princedanceparty, you throw on your house dress, kiss the kids, and run out the door (thankfully just a few short blocks). What a beautiful scene it was to dance off the tears and only smile and sing with thousands of other New Yorkers, celebrating such a magnificent and prolific legend. ???#fortgreene #brooklyn #RIPPrince we love you!!!!!!!

A video posted by LaTonya (@latonyayvette) on Apr 21, 2016 at 6:25pm PDT

Broadway gave Prince lots of love. Jennifer Hudson led the cast of “The Color Purple” in a rendition of  “Purple Rain.”

Stevie Wonder, one of the late singer’s inspirations, spoke with CBS This Morning on Prince’s passing. He told the network Prince influenced him, too.

“I always wanted to play the guitar and so I found this instrument about three years ago. And so I’m going to have a similar sound. You know, just based on me liking the guitar and liking what it was to be another way of expressing music.”

Watch Wonder’s full interview with the morning show below.