Among the thousands of tributes pouring in for Prince on Thursday night following his death, from the music world and beyond, one of the most talked-about was on Broadway, from Jennifer Hudson and the cast of the musical The Color Purple.
“I did not expect to have to speak on tonight, but God has his way,” Hudson said after the show. “Today, we lost a legend,” she said, before sharing an anecdote about the last time she (and the rest of the cast) met Prince.
Watch as the cast breaks out in a rendition of one of Prince’s most famous songs, “Purple Rain,” before Hudson takes over the performance with her powerful voice.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- The New Face of Doctor Who
- Putin’s Enemies Are Struggling to Unite
- Women Say They Were Pressured Into Long-Term Birth Control
- Scientists Are Finding Out Just How Toxic Your Stuff Is
- Boredom Makes Us Human
- John Mulaney Has What Late Night Needs
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com