Justin Timberlake was reportedly planning to perform his Prince tribute with a hologram of the late singer but backed out at the last minute due to potential backlash.
“He was 100 percent ready to use the hologram but nixed it due to the backlash from social media and Prince fans. That’s why he had that sheet up like in your mama’s backyard,” an insider told Page Six.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
After rumors of a Prince tribute made their way around the internet, the “Purple Rain” singer’s longtime friend Sheila E. claims she spoke to Timberlake to make sure he didn’t use a hologram during his Super Bowl LII halftime show.
“Family, I spoke w/Justin 2nite and he shared heartfelt words of respect for Prince & the Purple fans,” she wrote on Twitter. “I look 4wrd 2 seeing what I’m sure is going 2 be a spectacular halftime show. There is no hologram.”
Family, I spoke w/Justin 2nite and he shared heartfelt words of respect for Prince & the Purple fans. I look 4wrd 2 seeing what I’m sure is going 2 be a spectacular halftime show. There is no hologram. pic.twitter.com/mhVXBfBa1B
— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) February 4, 2018
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight on Monday she elaborated on her apparent conversation with the “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” singer.
“I just said no. I just felt that it was too soon,” she said. “The hologram was weird, and Prince did tell me [to] make sure nobody ever does a hologram [of him]… He thought it was very demonic and that’s his spiritual beliefs.”
(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Despite her comments, a source close to Timberlake told Page Six that the plan to use a hologram was never set in stone and the halftime show wasn’t changed due to Sheila E.
“There’s no way Justin would ever disrespect Prince’s legacy. He didn’t change his performance.”