Musician and former girlfriend Jill Jones has spoken exclusively to the Mirror about her complicated relationship with music icon Prince, revealing both love and violence. In a candid interview, she describes him as 'loveable, adorable, but he could be hateful too.'
The Shelved Documentary
Jones shared her memories for a Netflix documentary directed by Oscar-winner Ezra Edelman, but the series was shelved by Prince's estate, which feared it would cause 'generational harm' to his image. Her testimony, along with dozens of others, never aired.
The Violent Incident
In 1984, after an argument at a hotel where Prince kissed her friend, Jones slapped him. She claims Prince responded by punching her repeatedly in the face. She wanted to press charges but was warned by Prince's circle that it would ruin his career. 'I was told I would ruin his career... they saw him as just money for them,' she says.
She did not go to hospital to avoid leaks. Later that year, the Purple Rain tour began, and Jones felt she could not come forward. 'Had I come forward... it wouldn't have happened,' she reflects.
Forgiveness and Complexity
Despite the violence, they reconciled. 'He gave me a ton of toys, balloons, and candy as an apology,' she recalls. Jones struggled for decades over whether to speak out, waiting for an apology that never fully came. 'This is the craziest thing with domestic violence: you wait for an apology from someone you love.'
She contextualizes the abuse within the era, noting that Prince's parents had a volatile relationship and 'men did knock around their wives.' She forgives him, saying he was a product of his time, though she does not excuse the behavior.
Standing with Others
Jones recalls Prince publicly defending Chris Brown after he assaulted Rihanna, and she wishes she had spoken out in solidarity with Sinead O'Connor, who alleged Prince attacked her. 'I felt like a coward... nobody wanted to hear. Nobody cared.'
Early Relationship
Jones first met Prince in 1980 when she was 17, singing backup for Teena Marie. She was initially rude to him, but her mother predicted his stardom. Prince invited her to sing on his album 1999, credited as J.J., and she appeared in his videos. She later released her debut album on his label but felt trapped. 'My career wasn't heading anywhere... I literally sang behind a curtain.'
She eventually left, returning his jewelry via FedEx, which sparked a heated argument.
Final Meeting and Death
Weeks before Prince's death in 2016, Jones saw him at an after-party. 'His face lit up... it felt like slipping a glove back on.' But she was alarmed by his thinness. 'I said, 'I hope we're not coming to his funeral next.'' She learned of his death on CNN while speaking with her daughter.
Frustration with the Estate
Jones is frustrated the documentary was shelved, as the estate wanted to control his image. 'They want to keep him in a little bag... they're making it more than what it was. When you deprive people of knowing something, it eventually comes out.'
