'We're all devastated': Carmen Electra talks about working with 'one of a kind' mentor Prince as she poses in elegant ball gowns 

By Iona Kirby For Dailymail.com

Published: 13:36 EST, 25 May 2016 | Updated: 14:19 EST, 25 May 2016

The world is still mourning the loss of Prince, and Carmen Electra has reflected on what it was like to have the legendary singer as her mentor.

The 44-year-old discussed her relationship with Prince following his shock death on April 21 during an interview with LaPalme magazine for their summer issue, out June 1.

'We’re all devastated, and it didn't seem like it was his right time to go,' she said.

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'It didn't seem like it was his right time to go': Carmen Electra told LaPalme magazine in a new interview that she is 'devastated' following the death of her former mentor Prince 

'It didn't seem like it was his right time to go': Carmen Electra told LaPalme magazine in a new interview that she is 'devastated' following the death of her former mentor Prince 

'It’s hard for everyone, from the people who knew him well to the people that never even met him, because he touched everyone’s life in some kind of way with his beautiful spirit and his powerful music.'

Prince made Carmen - born Tara Leigh Patrick - a star after she moved to California in 1991, and he penned the song Carmen On Top for her.

'That first time I met Prince he was very quiet,' she recalled. 'I was very shy, so there was this awkward moment of us just kind of standing in front of each other.

'He broke the ice by asking me if I wanted to play pool, and I was so horrible that he just kept laughing at me.'

Belle of the ball: The 44-year-old also posed for a gorgeous photo shoot while modelling ball gowns

Belle of the ball: The 44-year-old also posed for a gorgeous photo shoot while modelling ball gowns

'He was simply one of a kind': Carmen described Prince as 'so mysterious' but also 'one of the wittiest people

'He was simply one of a kind': Carmen described Prince as 'so mysterious' but also 'one of the wittiest people

She added: 'I went in the studio and I loved it, but I reminded him that my name was Tara. He told me, "You look like a Carmen, so, to me, you’re Carmen."' 

Carmen, who briefly dated Prince, transitioned from singing into modelling and acting.

Speaking about what the Purple Rain hit-maker was like, she told LaPalme: 'He was so mysterious, but one of the wittiest people I’ve ever met. He was simply one of a kind.

'As an artist and as a person Prince was so extraordinarily generous. It was very generous for him to give me chance to start a music career, and I’ll always be grateful that he believed in me and took a chance on me.'

She owes him a lot: Prince signed Carmen to his label and wrote a song for her. He also dubbed her Carmen

She owes him a lot: Prince signed Carmen to his label and wrote a song for her. He also dubbed her Carmen

Coming soon: The star's interview and photo shoot features in LaPalme magazine's summer issue, out June 1

Coming soon: The star's interview and photo shoot features in LaPalme magazine's summer issue, out June 1

As well as giving an interview about her former mentor, Carmen posed for a photo shoot for the magazine. 

The Baywatch star sported a series of gorgeous ball gowns, including a white one which was reminiscent of a wedding dress and adorned with pink and red flowers.

Carmen also wore two floral print dresses and a ruffled pink creation - all of which were cut to display the star's long and slender legs.

On the cover of the magazine, Carmen can be seen sporting a low-cut yellow gown while holding the skirt between her fingers.

Gone too soon: Prince, who met Carmen - then Tara Leigh Patrick - in 1991, died on April 21. He is pictured left in February 2015, she is seen right in 1996
Gone too soon: Prince, who met Carmen - then Tara Leigh Patrick - in 1991, died on April 21. He is pictured left in February 2015, she is seen right in 1996

Gone too soon: Prince, who met Carmen - then Tara Leigh Patrick - in 1991, died on April 21. He is pictured left in February 2015, she is seen right in 1996

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