“Like anybody who covets his privacy, he probably feels that what ought to matter is what he wants us to see, no matter how manipulated or predetermined it may be. I don’t mind exclusions from his private affairs, but he’s mistaken if he thinks his fans will remain dedicated to someone who insists on dehumanizing his stage image beyond recognition. Without appearing to be grounded to Earth, he may come to resemble a cartoon character, leaving his audience feeling betrayed by his unwillingness to communicate. Through a sea of changes, one thing has remained consistent. No matter what the musical style or the manufactured image, Prince has remained firmly in control of his own destiny. Despite all the role-playing and gimmickry, he may be one of the most honest performers we have. Rather than hiding behind the wall of his persona, he immerses himself in it and uses it as a form of therapy. Odds are that the new and future versions of the artist previously known as Prince will continue to be variations on this theme.”