I wonder how much of the Rainbow Children story is a picture of Mayte(the Banished one) and Manuella(the Muse)??

When did he meet Manuella/when did she start working 4 Paisley Park.
According 2 the 1999 interview the Artist was already moving away from Mayte

but this interview below seriously sound like the spoken/story parts from the Rainbow Children.

PAPER (1999) artist 2000 BY BETH COLEMAN

What the Artist goes on to say is that wanting a monopoly on his lady had become the marital version of owning someone else's masters. From what he says, and from what others say, theirs has been an intensely romantic relationship, a kind of you-and-me-against-the-world vibe. But both felt it was starting to get weird. "We were drawing energy from strange people around us. Strange words and numbers, bad contracts. We had to step away from that," he explains. For a person who still uses "4" in place of "for" in song lyrics, the relationship between numbers and contracts -- both personal and financial -- weaves complicated, interrelated secret messages. He traces the origin of the marriage contract to Pontius Pilate organizing the consensus to crucify Jesus, but the short version of the story is that it was screwing up the Artist's world. He describes a relationship that some might categorize as vaguely co-dependent -- for a while he couldn't even give an interview without Mayte present. "I could not have sat in a room alone with someone like you" (meaning young, female and not totally butt), he tells me. Relying on someone so deeply, not to mention feeling possessive, jealous and the other emotions that go with having someone be "yours," was dangerous and, more to his point, deluded.

"At first you might think that your mate is the God," the Artist reflects, "but you'd better hope that God is speaking through your mate." They are not divorced. Quite the contrary. They are happily joined, having transcended the mental and emotional bondage of marriage. When not floating among the astral planes, the couple like to spend time in Spain, in their lovely new house near Gibraltar, which will soon be featured in another form of virtual reality, Vanity Fair. (The Artist is still a rich guy, like some of the best social radicals.) "We pretend it didn't even happen," he says of the marriage. "Like a lot of things in life I don't like, I pretend it isn't there and it goes away. We decided to go back to the Garden."

Does all this mean they've transcended the physical boundaries of the marriage bond too? The other question, post-"divorce," is monogamy. Considering his reputation as an international lover, one wonders, is the Artist good to the yoni? "They always exaggerate," he says quite demurely, alluding to the baker's dozen of high-profile women he's been teamed with in the press throughout his career. I tell him I saw Warren Beatty on Charlie Rose scoffing at the idea of monogamy in a modern marriage as basically some medieval throwback. Beatty indicated that it's just not part of the animal. (After getting that close to Halle Berry onscreen, I could see why -- no disrespect, Annette.) The Artist calls upon higher powers for his answer: "Let's say I'm monogamous with God,"

As prophesied, the Wise One and his woman were tempted by the Resistor. He,
knowing full well the Wise One's love 4 God, assimilated the woman first and
only. Quite naturally, chaos ensued and she and 5 others were banished from
the rainbow 4ever.
.
The Wise One who understood the law that was handed down from God long ago,
held fast in his belief that the Lord would bring him another one who loved him so.

.

The Banished Ones approaching the palace shouted obscenities. They tried 2
confuse the Rainbow Children and dethron their king. Using the lies promoted
by the whosepapers, hellavisions, and scagazines- The Banished Ones
constructed a Digital Garden around the palace that extended throughout the
world. Furthermore they demanded compensation 4 their time spent in the
palace b4 the exile. This was noise! "So be it," said the Wise One, and
gladly obliged with an INVISIBLE DEED. The Banished Ones accepted and
returned to their place of birth in MendaCity. As 4 the Rainbow Children,
they began deconstructing the Digital Garden. Door to door they went in
search of those willing to do The Work

.

From all over, the people came 2 do The Work. And with every phase of the
deconstruction the Everlasting Now became evermore reality. Everywhere the
people were witnessing a change, but the alchemy occurred most in the Muse.

.

.
As she fell in2 the Sensual Everafter, out of bodyout of mind,
she stroked her hair a hundred times.
And as she fell deeper in2 the hypnotic unwind, he counted his way in2 the suggestive mind.
Planting a seed that bears fruit on the tree,
he said, repeat after me.repeat after me.repeat after me.1+1+1 is 3

.

I have to admit, seems a little overzealous religious craziness to me. And painting Mayte as the "banished one" and Manueala as the "the muse" because her love for the one true god grew stronger every day (sitting through those bible studies with P and Larry and Tina) all the while she's stepping in and dismissing Mayte from Prince's life.

Superfan1984 said:

I have to admit, seems a little overzealous religious craziness to me. And painting Mayte as the "banished one" and Manueala as the "the muse" because her love for the one true god grew stronger every day (sitting through those bible studies with P and Larry and Tina) all the while she's stepping in and dismissing Mayte from Prince's life.

I believe the 'religious' connection, Prince was pulling from gnostic gospels, of Adam & his FIRST wife Lilith,

it is kinda right there in our face the timeline of their relations in lyrical form

plus Prince intervew was really telling, as he tries to be cryptic mixing in 'prince doctrine'

OldFriends4Sale said:

Superfan1984 said:

I have to admit, seems a little overzealous religious craziness to me. And painting Mayte as the "banished one" and Manueala as the "the muse" because her love for the one true god grew stronger every day (sitting through those bible studies with P and Larry and Tina) all the while she's stepping in and dismissing Mayte from Prince's life.

I believe the 'religious' connection, Prince was pulling from gnostic gospels, of Adam & his FIRST wife Lilith,

it is kinda right there in our face the timeline of their relations in lyrical form

plus Prince intervew was really telling, as he tries to be cryptic mixing in 'prince doctrine'

Geesh, I'm so bad about my bible (keep meaning to read the entire thing but somehow never do) --- I know Lilith is in the bible - I imagine in Genesis but where? I can't find anything about her (I'm asking so I can look it up and see if it sounds like that is what he's talking about) -- I just find that whole period kind of icky- I love Prince but I think he kind of lost his marbles for a minute there-- thank God, he came back to being Prince when it was all said and done- but all that preachy stuff was so bizarre. But.. you're making me want to pull out my Rainbow Children and listen to it....

Superfan1984 said:

Superfan1984 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I believe the 'religious' connection, Prince was pulling from gnostic gospels, of Adam & his FIRST wife Lilith,

it is kinda right there in our face the timeline of their relations in lyrical form

plus Prince intervew was really telling, as he tries to be cryptic mixing in 'prince doctrine'

Geesh, I'm so bad about my bible (keep meaning to read the entire thing but somehow never do) --- I know Lilith is in the bible - I imagine in Genesis but where? I can't find anything about her (I'm asking so I can look it up and see if it sounds like that is what he's talking about) -- I just find that whole period kind of icky- I love Prince but I think he kind of lost his marbles for a minute there-- thank God, he came back to being Prince when it was all said and done- but all that preachy stuff was so bizarre. But.. you're making me want to pull out my Rainbow Children and listen to it....

No Lilith is found in the Gnostic teachings, which I wonder if the JW noticed that and got on him about it.

He was going to take the Rainbow Children further even having JW worship services @ Paisley Park and using songs from their hymns has material for his 2nd RC album

morningsong said:

Superfan1984 said:

Geesh, I'm so bad about my bible (keep meaning to read the entire thing but somehow never do) --- I know Lilith is in the bible - I imagine in Genesis but where? I can't find anything about her (I'm asking so I can look it up and see if it sounds like that is what he's talking about) -- I just find that whole period kind of icky- I love Prince but I think he kind of lost his marbles for a minute there-- thank God, he came back to being Prince when it was all said and done- but all that preachy stuff was so bizarre. But.. you're making me want to pull out my Rainbow Children and listen to it....

No not in the Bible, can't imagine it being part of the JW study time, but honestly I wouldn't know. At the same time I wouldn't doubt that's what he was alluding to, he did a lot of personal reading too so who knows. You'd have to goggle lilith to find the story. All I can say is Prince became a serious contortionist with all that. He knew what he meant if none of us do

Lilith is not in the Bible. She appeared in non-canon writings. I have read a little of this. Basically, when Lilith would not submit to Adam, she left. She is often portrayed as demon or with negative/evil like qualities.

I wonder if Prince ever found out that Manuela was playing him, causing the divorce. I believe the statement Prince did not want the divorce was PR and image control. I do not know Manuela and I was not heavily into the time period due to occupation. I get the vibe from remarks that she was manipulative.

I can only speculate that Prince, in his mind, saw her in this great religous aspect, almost salvation (not good wording), but it all tied together with his new faith perhaps in his logic. Only to find out he was betrayed. I am having a hard time conveying to everyone my thoughts and questions. I do apologize.

After reading Mayte's book, The Rainbow Children definately has new meaning for me! Wow! Mayte as the "banished one" and Mani as the "muse"? It makes perfect sense. Even that silly wedding feast song makes sense now. "The banished ones are gone for good.....Now there must be a wedding..... Dang! P is a cold-blooded cat!

Funny how Mani the "muse" is no longer a JW. She was willing to do anything to get with P while Mayte refused to play that game. SMH

illimack said:

After reading Mayte's book, The Rainbow Children definately has new meaning for me! Wow! Mayte as the "banished one" and Mani as the "muse"? It makes perfect sense. Even that silly wedding feast song makes sense now. "The banished ones are gone for good.....Now there must be a wedding..... Dang! P is a cold-blooded cat!

Funny how Mani the "muse" is no longer a JW. She was willing to do anything to get with P while Mayte refused to play that game. SMH

I knew somehow Mayte and Manuella (both or one) had to be in this music, but after reading Prince interview and some other things it was kinda wow

As she fell in2 the Sensual Everafter,

out of bodyout of mind,
she stroked her hair a hundred times.
And as she fell deeper in2 the hypnotic unwind,

he counted his way in2 the suggestive mind.
Planting a seed that bears fruit on the tree,
he said,

repeat after me.

repeat after me.

repeat after me.

1+1+1 is 3

no more fruit to bear... no more children to have?

or the Digital Garden ie Warner Brothers?

or combination of both?

The destruction of the Digital Garden

With no more fruit to bear from its trees
The Haze was finally broken
With the rains came the awareness that never again

Just a lot of ridiculous, hokey shit. Prince wanted to believe all this crap, but he's way too intelligent to believe it. Just him trying to please Larry and his other JW friends at the time. My opinion

OldFriends4Sale said:

illimack said:

After reading Mayte's book, The Rainbow Children definately has new meaning for me! Wow! Mayte as the "banished one" and Mani as the "muse"? It makes perfect sense. Even that silly wedding feast song makes sense now. "The banished ones are gone for good.....Now there must be a wedding..... Dang! P is a cold-blooded cat!

Funny how Mani the "muse" is no longer a JW. She was willing to do anything to get with P while Mayte refused to play that game. SMH

I knew somehow Mayte and Manuella (both or one) had to be in this music, but after reading Prince interview and some other things it was kinda wow

As she fell in2 the Sensual Everafter,

out of bodyout of mind,
she stroked her hair a hundred times.
And as she fell deeper in2 the hypnotic unwind,

he counted his way in2 the suggestive mind.
Planting a seed that bears fruit on the tree,
he said,

repeat after me.

repeat after me.

repeat after me.

1+1+1 is 3

So I am assuming 1+1+1=3 means Prince+Mani +child=3

Empress said:

Just a lot of ridiculous, hokey shit. Prince wanted to believe all this crap, but he's way too intelligent to believe it. Just him trying to please Larry and his other JW friends at the time. My opinion

I sorta prefer in 1985 when he would say things like "We had 2 do a lot of bike riding nude, 2 stirr things up"

I do though like the continuity of it all.

I patch 2gether songs like the One(1998) -the Rainbow Children album -Revelation (2015)

and some other songs with similar themes that mix well

it is a pretty cool story

80tomato said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I knew somehow Mayte and Manuella (both or one) had to be in this music, but after reading Prince interview and some other things it was kinda wow

As she fell in2 the Sensual Everafter,

out of bodyout of mind,
she stroked her hair a hundred times.
And as she fell deeper in2 the hypnotic unwind,

he counted his way in2 the suggestive mind.
Planting a seed that bears fruit on the tree,
he said,

repeat after me.

repeat after me.

repeat after me.

1+1+1 is 3

So I am assuming 1+1+1=3 means Prince+Mani +child=3

strong possibility

If u ain't got no place 2 stay
Come on baby 'round this way
Stay with me baby
But let me tell u how it's gonna b

There's a theocratic order.
There's a theocratic order now

This is how it's gonna b
If u wanna b with me
Ain't no room 4 disagree
1+1+1 is 3

Take ur time and think it thru
If this is what u wanna do
I ain't really that hard 2 please
Cuz 1+1+1 is 3

Stroke ur hair a hundred times
Let me c what I can find
D u know about the order.
Do u know about the order, now?

OMG... It's all making sense... crazy sense but now it makes sense.....

Empress said:

Just a lot of ridiculous, hokey shit. Prince wanted to believe all this crap, but he's way too intelligent to believe it. Just him trying to please Larry and his other JW friends at the time. My opinion

I think he really did believe it. Esp in the beginning. Changing The Cross to The Christ and spouting all that Stauros nonsense. I watched it happen. That's why I kept disagreeing with somone on the org who kept saying he converted due to his mom. I knew it was LG. I wathched how P talked before LG and how he talked when LG started hanging with him all the time. Total conversion. JW's are very persuasive when someone dies......"you can see them again in the resurrection and they will be perfect....." I'm sure he used the death of Amhir to get to P. I remember seeing P in concert in Oakland and him talking about God and saying that we were not going to get into any specific"names" or beliefs. That was when LG first started appearing. After a while with LG on stage next to him....." I would like to thank my God Jehovah." I watched the whole thing.I just didn't know about the Mayte/Mani part.

nelcp777 said:

morningsong said:

Superfan1984 said: No not in the Bible, can't imagine it being part of the JW study time, but honestly I wouldn't know. At the same time I wouldn't doubt that's what he was alluding to, he did a lot of personal reading too so who knows. You'd have to goggle lilith to find the story. All I can say is Prince became a serious contortionist with all that. He knew what he meant if none of us do

Lilith is not in the Bible. She appeared in non-canon writings. I have read a little of this. Basically, when Lilith would not submit to Adam, she left. She is often portrayed as demon or with negative/evil like qualities.

I wonder if Prince ever found out that Manuela was playing him, causing the divorce. I believe the statement Prince did not want the divorce was PR and image control. I do not know Manuela and I was not heavily into the time period due to occupation. I get the vibe from remarks that she was manipulative.

I can only speculate that Prince, in his mind, saw her in this great religous aspect, almost salvation (not good wording), but it all tied together with his new faith perhaps in his logic. Only to find out he was betrayed. I am having a hard time conveying to everyone my thoughts and questions. I do apologize.

From what I've read the Lilith story became popular and started circulating about 2,500 years ago. It is an interesting fun read, as are the other renditions of the garden of eden story. It's engrossing seeing the various preceptions of the Genesis story over the centuries.

Mani may yet tell her story. Of course I don't see that happening anytime soon, all things considered. I don't like feeling this way, but I must admit I'm curious now more than ever.
She has always struck me as someone who goes after what she wants without a lot of pretense, but then the religious thing is a bit of a stickler to me, seen it happen too many times.

It's never set well with me, a 2nd marriage on the heels on a tramatic divorce. I was hoping the rumors were not true and the timeline was skewed a little bit but I guess they were true. As much as I'd like to believe Mani was a better fit business wise for Prince, it's obvious it wasn't all it was cracked up to be seeing it didn't last any longer than the first one.

OldFriends4Sale said:

illimack said:

After reading Mayte's book, The Rainbow Children definately has new meaning for me! Wow! Mayte as the "banished one" and Mani as the "muse"? It makes perfect sense. Even that silly wedding feast song makes sense now. "The banished ones are gone for good.....Now there must be a wedding..... Dang! P is a cold-blooded cat!

Funny how Mani the "muse" is no longer a JW. She was willing to do anything to get with P while Mayte refused to play that game. SMH

I knew somehow Mayte and Manuella (both or one) had to be in this music, but after reading Prince interview and some other things it was kinda wow

As she fell in2 the Sensual Everafter,

out of bodyout of mind,
she stroked her hair a hundred times.
And as she fell deeper in2 the hypnotic unwind,

he counted his way in2 the suggestive mind.
Planting a seed that bears fruit on the tree,
he said,

repeat after me.

repeat after me.

repeat after me.

1+1+1 is 3

Sounds like Prince had a standard thing he did with women. Probably explains a few things, like why the gap keep getting larger.

illimack said:

Empress said:

Just a lot of ridiculous, hokey shit. Prince wanted to believe all this crap, but he's way too intelligent to believe it. Just him trying to please Larry and his other JW friends at the time. My opinion

I think he really did believe it. Esp in the beginning. Changing The Cross to The Christ and spouting all that Stauros nonsense. I watched it happen. That's why I kept disagreeing with somone on the org who kept saying he converted due to his mom. I knew it was LG. I wathched how P talked before LG and how he talked when LG started hanging with him all the time. Total conversion. JW's are very persuasive when someone dies......"you can see them again in the resurrection and they will be perfect....." I'm sure he used the death of Amhir to get to P. I remember seeing P in concert in Oakland and him talking about God and saying that we were not going to get into any specific"names" or beliefs. That was when LG first started appearing. After a while with LG on stage next to him....." I would like to thank my God Jehovah." I watched the whole thing.I just didn't know about the Mayte/Mani part.

Yes he believed it. Especially in that he meshed Egyptology into it.

Didn't his mother want him in 7th Day Advents?

remember this from the One video?

almost like he was warring with himself.

Even though by 97 he was already talking about the individual Revolution members in interview and how he had a community back then etc

I wonder if he made the move with the Revolution would it had been a buffer against Larry's pull.
If the son survived it definately would have been ...

(1) Mayte was Nefertiti and was Anhkaten so you are my slave

(2) Come back my son and rule love Prince and the Revolution

(3) Stavros is what Jesus died on not a cross

(4) Jesus is King Jesus is King Jesus is King

(5) Stavros is what Jesus died on not a cross

(6) Wendy Lisa Sheila Cat Susannah Rhonda Marva

(7) Jesus is King Jesus is King Jesus is King

(8) Come back my son and rule love Prince and the Revolution

(9) Mayte was Nefertiti and was Anhkaten so you are my slave

morningsong said:

nelcp777 said:

Lilith is not in the Bible. She appeared in non-canon writings. I have read a little of this. Basically, when Lilith would not submit to Adam, she left. She is often portrayed as demon or with negative/evil like qualities.

I wonder if Prince ever found out that Manuela was playing him, causing the divorce. I believe the statement Prince did not want the divorce was PR and image control. I do not know Manuela and I was not heavily into the time period due to occupation. I get the vibe from remarks that she was manipulative.

I can only speculate that Prince, in his mind, saw her in this great religous aspect, almost salvation (not good wording), but it all tied together with his new faith perhaps in his logic. Only to find out he was betrayed. I am having a hard time conveying to everyone my thoughts and questions. I do apologize.

From what I've read the Lilith story became popular and started circulating about 2,500 years ago. It is an interesting fun read, as are the other renditions of the garden of eden story. It's engrossing seeing the various preceptions of the Genesis story over the centuries.

Mani may yet tell her story. Of course I don't see that happening anytime soon, all things considered. I don't like feeling this way, but I must admit I'm curious now more than ever.
She has always struck me as someone who goes after what she wants without a lot of pretense, but then the religious thing is a bit of a stickler to me, seen it happen too many times.

It's never set well with me, a 2nd marriage on the heels on a tramatic divorce. I was hoping the rumors were not true and the timeline was skewed a little bit but I guess they were true. As much as I'd like to believe Mani was a better fit business wise for Prince, it's obvious it wasn't all it was cracked up to be seeing it didn't last any longer than the first one.

Yeah the Lilith controversy is definately a northern European twist

Souther Europeans Middle Easterners and Africans probably had not problem with the woman on top... the missionary position wasn't mandatory

OldFriends4Sale said:

morningsong said:

From what I've read the Lilith story became popular and started circulating about 2,500 years ago. It is an interesting fun read, as are the other renditions of the garden of eden story. It's engrossing seeing the various preceptions of the Genesis story over the centuries.

Mani may yet tell her story. Of course I don't see that happening anytime soon, all things considered. I don't like feeling this way, but I must admit I'm curious now more than ever.
She has always struck me as someone who goes after what she wants without a lot of pretense, but then the religious thing is a bit of a stickler to me, seen it happen too many times.

It's never set well with me, a 2nd marriage on the heels on a tramatic divorce. I was hoping the rumors were not true and the timeline was skewed a little bit but I guess they were true. As much as I'd like to believe Mani was a better fit business wise for Prince, it's obvious it wasn't all it was cracked up to be seeing it didn't last any longer than the first one.

Yeah the Lilith controversy is definately a northern European twist

Souther Europeans Middle Easterners and Africans probably had not problem with the woman on top... the missionary position wasn't mandatory

Was missionary position mandatory for every other culture in that time?

morningsong said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yeah the Lilith controversy is definately a northern European twist

Souther Europeans Middle Easterners and Africans probably had not problem with the woman on top... the missionary position wasn't mandatory

Was missionary position mandatory for every other culture in that time?

it was definately a W.A.S.P. Christian thing. Some Missionaries sent into other countries who fell to fornication, the man had to be on top

I want 2 place a visual timeline,

* will update

9.9.1999 New York, NY MTV Video Music Awards w/Mayte

OldFriends4Sale said:

morningsong said:

Was missionary position mandatory for every other culture in that time?

it was definately a W.A.S.P. Christian thing. Some Missionaries sent into other countries who fell to fornication, the man had to be on top

Yeah, but that's more a recent history thing as opposed to when the story originated, it was probably a warning story for girls way back when and just morphed into a feminist manifesto or whatever.

Anyway, decrypting Princ-ese is a lotta work, I know that.

OldFriends4Sale said:

NotACleverName said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I want 2 place a visual timeline,

* will update

9.9.1999 New York, NY MTV Video Music Awards w/Mayte

Looking forward to your visual timeline, OF4S! Mayte talked about Prince hypnotizing her throughout their time together. Guess Manuela got the treatment, too! As she fell in2 the Sensual Everafter, out of bodyout of mind, she stroked her hair a hundred times. And as she fell deeper in2 the hypnotic unwind, he counted his way in2 the suggestive mind. Planting a seed that bears fruit on the tree, he said, repeat after me. repeat after me. repeat after me. 1+1+1 is 3 FUNNY SIDENOTE....I typed Manuela's name incorrectly above and auto correct changed it to MANEATER!

looks like Mayte did stop straightening her hair as per Prince aking her too

80tomato said:

NotACleverName said:

OldFriends4Sale said: Looking forward to your visual timeline, OF4S! Mayte talked about Prince hypnotizing her throughout their time together. Guess Manuela got the treatment, too! As she fell in2 the Sensual Everafter, out of bodyout of mind, she stroked her hair a hundred times. And as she fell deeper in2 the hypnotic unwind, he counted his way in2 the suggestive mind. Planting a seed that bears fruit on the tree, he said, repeat after me. repeat after me. repeat after me. 1+1+1 is 3 FUNNY SIDENOTE....I typed Manuela's name incorrectly above and auto correct changed it to MANEATER!

looks like Mayte did stop straightening her hair as per Prince aking her too

reminds me of once, when I was dating a guy I didn't like (who had blonde hair) but was missing the boy I did like (who had black hair) so I dyed the blonde haired guy's hair black and he looked like Fred Flinstone... lol....

donovd said:

15 JULY 1998 Love 4 One Another announces that Prince has purchased a mansion in Marbella, Spain, for Mayte. She was installed there in a permanent living arrangement. Prince's visits were apparently infrequent. While Prince publicly continued to present Mayte as his exclusive love interest, their relationship had cooled considerably by mid-1998. Their public appearances were mainly for public consumption, designed to prevent speculation that his marriage was ending. Instead, Prince began to take an interest in Manuela Testolini, commonly known as Mani, a 21-year-old girl who had come to work at Paisley Park in 1997 for Prince's Love 4 One Another charity. Born to an Italian father and an Egyptian mother she grew up in Toronto, Canada. She was a visible presence at Paisley Park events, and fans found her accessible, friendly, and engaging. A highly religious woman, Testolini spoke with Prince about God and spirituality at every opportunity, which further piqued his interest. He soon gave her a significant promotion by making her his personal assistant. Although their relationship didn't immediately become romantic, it was clear where things were headed. From The Vault by Per Nilsen

wow so it was a little earlier than I thought

OldFriends4Sale said:

donovd said:

15 JULY 1998 Love 4 One Another announces that Prince has purchased a mansion in Marbella, Spain, for Mayte. She was installed there in a permanent living arrangement. Prince's visits were apparently infrequent. While Prince publicly continued to present Mayte as his exclusive love interest, their relationship had cooled considerably by mid-1998. Their public appearances were mainly for public consumption, designed to prevent speculation that his marriage was ending. Instead, Prince began to take an interest in Manuela Testolini, commonly known as Mani, a 21-year-old girl who had come to work at Paisley Park in 1997 for Prince's Love 4 One Another charity. Born to an Italian father and an Egyptian mother she grew up in Toronto, Canada. She was a visible presence at Paisley Park events, and fans found her accessible, friendly, and engaging. A highly religious woman, Testolini spoke with Prince about God and spirituality at every opportunity, which further piqued his interest. He soon gave her a significant promotion by making her his personal assistant. Although their relationship didn't immediately become romantic, it was clear where things were headed. From The Vault by Per Nilsen

wow so it was a little earlier than I thought

Now I wonder if Mani was the assistant at Larry's who burnt the stuff.