Why Prince doesn't have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - Action News
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Entertainment

Why Prince doesn't have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

It's typical for visitors to the Hollywood Walk of Fame to lay flowers and messages near the star of a celebrity who recently died but fans of Prince won't be able to find his name.

Late musician can still get a star but there's a mandatory waiting period

Graffiti was drawn on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles for the late musician Prince, who does not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

When a celebrity dies, visitors flock to theHollywood Walk of Fame to lay flowers and messages near the individual's star a communal celebration of a life that had an impact on so many others.

But fans of Prince won't be able to find his name on Hollywood Boulevard.

The 57-year-old Purple Rainmusician, who died Thursday at his recording studio home in suburban Minneapolis,never got a star.

"Getting calls about Prince & whether he had a star or not," Ana Martinez, producer for the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies,posted on social media following his death."Sadly, paperwork was never sent in for consideration. He was on my wish list."

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce presides over the major tourist attraction, which includes stars for the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Lopez and Donald Trump.

A memorial on David Bowie's star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in January after the singer passed away from cancer. After a celebrity's death, fans often look for a star on Hollywood Boulevard to lay flowers, candles and messages. (Araya Diaz/Getty Images)
When David Bowie died in January, a makeshift memorial surrounded his star. A similar gesturetook place after the deathof Maurice White from the bandEarth, Wind and Fire a month later.

Applications for a star comewith a $30,000 US sponsorship fee, which goes toward creating itand maintaining the Walk of Fame.

Martinez, who represents the Chamber of Commerce, said there had been talk in the past about honouring the singer.

"Prince was approached on two occasions about the possibility of being nominated for a star and he stated that the timing was not right,"Martinez posted Fridayon theorganization'sFacebookpage.

Shesaid a star can be awardedposthumously, but there is a five-year waiting period before a nomination can be considered.

"We hope his family will do that when the time comes," she wrote.

When asked whether the organization would be willing to waive the mandatory waiting period for Prince, Martinez responded: "It would not be fair to those waiting for their loved ones' anniversary to pass. Sorry."