Prince was a dazzling enigma whose eccentricities matched his musical genius. With a staggering 39 albums and countless awards, including seven Grammys, his career was as extraordinary as his performances. His love for purple and aversion to eye contact were just the tip of the iceberg.
Among his peculiar habits, the rule about avoiding eye contact stands out. As Vulture reveals, his private life was as unconventional as his stage presence. He even had a hair salon that no one else could use, not even his wife.
One rule reigned supreme in his interactions: “Don’t look him in the eyes”. This wasn’t just a quirky preference but a fundamental aspect of how he navigated his relationships. For Prince, this distance was crucial, reflecting the complex nature of his genius.
The Enigma of Prince’s “No Eye Contact” Rule
The story of Prince’s “no eye contact” rule is so widespread that finding an original source is nearly impossible. Lizz Frey, a graphic designer who worked with Prince in 1992, provided one account after his death in 2016. According to Frey, the rule was simple: “never to look into his eyes directly,” and everyone had to call him “boss.”
Despite these strict demands, Frey found working with Prince to be a “joy”. She described him as vibrant and full of life, saying, “He was so alive. I’m trying to remember him that way.” Frey also created Prince’s “love symbol”, which he used from 1993 to 2000. He described the symbol’s importance, stating, “The pronunciation exists on a different level of existence.”
Hairstylist Kim Berry also mentioned the “no eye contact” rule and added other peculiar guidelines like “Don’t touch his ears,” as noted by ABC News. Although Berry heard these rules from Prince’s entourage, not from Prince himself, he dismissed them, saying, “I’ve never told anyone anything like that. So I think it’s hilarious that people make up stuff.”
Prince’s Unconventional Work Protocols
Prince’s “no eye contact” rule extended beyond just a couple of assistants. Ultimate Classic Rock details how Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar encountered the same policy. At the 27th Grammys in 1985, Hagar asked Prince’s guitar tech, Zeke Clark, to introduce him. Clark responded, “No, man. I can’t … I’m not allowed to talk to him.”
He explained that communication with Prince had to be through handwritten notes and added, “You can’t look at him [Prince].” Hagar found this “pretty f*****’ weird.”
Prince was known for being demanding with his crew. Ultimate Guitar sound engineer David Rivkin described how Prince would sometimes show his “wrath,” saying, “He liked to keep people under his thumb … It was a control thing. ‘Don’t tell ’em things — let ’em guess.’”
For fans, such behavior is par for the course. The Prince.org forum has multiple stories featuring the same “no eye contact” rule, suggesting it was a consistent part of his interactions.