Mayte Garcia On Prince’s Legacy, Live 4 Love Charities And The Glam Slam Benefit In Hollywood

Today, Mayte Garcia, artist, author, philanthropist, and the longtime muse, collaborator, and former wife of Prince, will honor the music legend, his life, legacy, and humanitarian spirit as the City of Los Angeles proclaims Prince Day. The Hollywood Sign and other city monuments will glow purple in his honor. Ten years ago, on April 21st, the world lost a music legend, and this year, Garcia is honoring Prince’s life, legacy, and humanitarian spirit through Live 4 Love Charities, a nonprofit founded in honor of Prince’s philanthropic mission to drive better outcomes for humanity. Live 4 Love Charities is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 1996 by Prince Rogers Nelson and Mayte Garcia.

The foundation honors Prince’s philanthropic legacy by building on his mission of helping people up and helping people out, which were the two key components of his charitable giving. Live 4 Love Charities continues to strive for and drive better outcomes for humanity by supporting a variety of philanthropic programs and initiatives aligned with the foundation’s core values, delivering resources that enrich and strengthen communities worldwide.

This evening, Live 4 Love Charities will host its Glam Slam Benefit at the W Hollywood, a night dedicated to celebrating Prince’s enduring cultural and philanthropic impact. The event will feature performances by Paisley Park alums, joined by the Mpls All Star band made up of former Paisley Park musicians, with additional special guests including Taylor Dayne, Sheila E, and many more celebrity talents.

“The last 10 years have been really hard on all of us. April 21st is a day that we all have to accept. So I figured, let’s turn it around, gather, and listen to Prince’s music while helping others. So that’s what I’m trying to do with this Glam Slam Benefit,” she said to me. “I was young, and I remember I would see him writing checks. We used to volunteer, do charity walks, and would donate without seeking credit. He wouldn’t like to announce it. It would be a secret check that somebody would get; he would help silently. The older I got, the more I realized how important it is to give back. I have a 14-year-old now, and I’m trying to instill that in her.”

When it comes to the Glam Slam Benefit, Garcia hopes the event will inspire artists and creatives to remain steadfast and committed to their craft, even when the going gets rough. “I believe in opportunities. I believe in giving that chance, and Live 4 Music (a charity program of Live 4 Love Charities) is a great opportunity. Also, introducing people to our work. A lot of people don’t know about the charity, because Prince kept it very quiet. So now, we’re introducing ourselves. Yes, we’ve been here, and now we’re going to go full-fledged and try to help as much as we can for those who need it,” she said.

At the center of this moment is Mayte Garcia, who now leads Live 4 Love Charities, the nonprofit rooted in Prince’s original philanthropic mission and founded in memory of their son, Amiir. Through her leadership, Mayte has continued to build on a legacy of compassion, creative empowerment, and service — ensuring that Prince’s impact is not only remembered but actively carried forward.

Garcia is a world-renowned dancer, choreographer, actress, singer, internationally bestselling author, and philanthropist whose career spans music, television, film, and humanitarian work. Born in Alabama to Puerto Rican parents and raised in a multicultural military family, Garcia’s passion for dance began at just three years old, inspired by her mother, a professional belly dancer. By age eight, she had made history as the world’s youngest professional belly dancer—a milestone recognized on the television program That’s Incredible.

She rose to international prominence in the early 1990s after Prince noticed her and invited her to join his creative circle. As the first female solo dancer in The New Power Generation, she became a central figure in Prince’s artistic world—performing on his legendary tours, choreographing iconic routines, appearing in music videos, and helping shape the visual storytelling behind his music. Prince later produced Garcia’s debut album, Child of the Sun (1995), and the two married in 1996.

Additionally, Live 4 Love Charities created a program to advance music education for kids, called “Live 4 Music.” The focus of this program is to connect intermediate musicians with established, professional musicians via Zoom tutorials, enabling one-on-one instruction and collaboration. Participation in this program will give the student firsthand instruction, advice, and demonstrations to hone and perfect their instrumental and creative skills. Live 4 Dance is a workshop experience from Live 4 Love Charities, created to uplift young dancers through professional instruction, artistic mentorship, and a celebration of self-expression. Launched in Minneapolis during Celebration Week honoring Prince’s birthday, the program empowers teens and pre-teens to grow on and off the dance floor.

Her advice to upcoming artistic professionals? “Stick to something you’re passionate about. Be yourself. Don’t try to be anybody else,” she said.

Attend the Live 4 Love Charities’ Glam Slam Benefit at the W Hollywood on April 21st at 6 pm PT.