Celebrities' Stunned Reactions to Prince's Death

The terrible news that music legend Prince had died today at age 57 broke through the internet like a lightning bolt. On social media, many stars fired off their responses in real time as they heard the news. Here's some of the reactions:

The throne stays empty now pic.twitter.com/Nn8RrCJK6c

– Liz Phair (@PhizLair) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

It was Raspberry Beret. I was 4 years old. Yes, 4. I remember that I instantly loved it. “Mommy, who is that singing?” Seems weird but it's true. More than a “once in a lifetime” artist… Just a ONCE IN FOREVER ARTIST. I'm still in shock as I write this and I feel this overwhelming grief. But, we should all turn away from that and HONOR this musician that changed all of our lives, our perspectives, our feeling, our whole being. From another planet? Probably. Royalty, for sure. Us worthy..? Laughable. They say don't meet your idols… That they let you down. But, some of my greatest, funniest(yes, he was hilarious), and most prolific encounters and conversations about music came from the moments that I spent with him. It would be silly to say that he has inspired our music… It's beyond that. He's somewhere within every song I've ever written. I am sad, but I will smile when I think of every second that I had the fortune of being in his company. We have lost our greatest living musician. But his music will never die. Prince, NOTHING COMPARES… #RIPPrince

A photo posted by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake) on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:04am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

an artist who showed true creative freedom and challenged all barriers. there are a million things to say. rip, beautiful.

A photo posted by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:07am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

Prince was a true gentleman, a king among men. He was as sharp and as talented as they come. I'm so glad I was lucky enough to work with him

– zooey deschanel (@ZooeyDeschanel) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Shocked and soooo sad!! #RIP PRINCE #music #legend #gonetoosoon

A photo posted by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:01am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

LEGEND??

????PRINCE????
I wish I could have expressed my love for him before he left. https://t.co/drlyFNWF9X

– James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Absolutely no words. Cannot comprehend this. This is beyond a loss. #RIPPrince

– Paul Feig (@paulfeig) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The word genius is overused. Prince, however, was a super-genius. Prolific and visionary. And always a sweetheart. Soundtrack of my life.

– Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Broken heart .. So many millions of broken hearts…seems impossible ???????????????????????? https://t.co/yLST09DuWR

– Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

I LOVED him, the world LOVED him. Now he's at peace with his Father. Rest in power, @prince, my brother. pic.twitter.com/ZN6cc3WWuF

– Chaka Khan (@ChakaKhan) April 21, 2016

RIP to @prince…a true artist in every sense of the word. Gone way too soon.

– Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) April 21, 2016

Prince was a friend, but also a talent whose work appears in most people's playlists #RIPprince ???? pic.twitter.com/bg4crJM11T

– Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

My heart is broken. My entire adolescence was filled w his music. He'll be missed but his music will live forever???????? https://t.co/O6FYLftlWw

– Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

i'm absolutely heartbroken that Prince is gone. COMPLETELY devastated…i can't process this….

– Belinda Carlisle (@belindaofficial) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

peace and love pic.twitter.com/X7azBtLh4o

– Susanna Hoffs (@SusannaHoffs) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

#HurtPiece right here… Rest in Peace Prince. This dude was Legend in every way. I've had the… https://t.co/RQ1ClsAUgx

– CedricTheEntertainer (@CedEntertainer) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Just in shock…too too soon. #RIP https://t.co/b6r2HkckEE

– Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

We live to die with dignity. My fun moments with Prince are surreal now. Genius. Authentic.Master. RIP. @nilerodgers pic.twitter.com/VWTSIwEk0S

– Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

“Hello, how are you? I'm fine. 'cause I know that the Lord is coming soon, coming, coming soon.” #thankyouforafunkytime #princeforever

A photo posted by Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) on Apr 21, 2016 at 10:26am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

I Miss My Brother. Prince Was A Funny Cat. Great Sense Of Humor.

A photo posted by Spike Lee (@officialspikelee) on Apr 21, 2016 at 10:18am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

????

A photo posted by Olivia Wilde (@oliviawilde) on Apr 21, 2016 at 10:38am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

Numb. Stunned. This can't be real.

– Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) April 21, 2016

Omg….. RIP Prince…. ????????????

– Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) April 21, 2016

I'm Crushed!! UK news reporting Prince Is Dead?! For Real?! Massive Loss for us all! What a Genius! Speechless.

– Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) April 21, 2016

The Artist. #RIP Rest in Power https://t.co/lCkKMUo1NX

– Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Prince? Say it isn't so…

– Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) April 21, 2016

Godspeed. X, sj

A photo posted by SJP (@sarahjessicaparker) on Apr 21, 2016 at 10:31am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

Words cannot describe the gigantic crater left in the wake of the death of #Prince. This one truly hurts. RIP. The doves are crying.

A photo posted by Josh Gad (@joshgad) on Apr 21, 2016 at 10:32am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

This year is just awful.

– Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

We just lost a ton of heavy groove. #RIPPrince

– Eric Stonestreet (@ericstonestreet) April 21, 2016

Can”t even process this. There will never be another. Thank you for everything, Prince Rogers Nelson.

– Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) April 21, 2016

His Purple Badness. LOVE. https://t.co/Ywjd0WUIi7

– Spike Lee (@SpikeLee) April 21, 2016

Damn it. #RIPPrince

– Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

This better not be true…

– shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Say it isn't so. pic.twitter.com/xdY0bYDtSO

– Chris Rock (@chrisrock) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Oh my God. FUCK

– Michaela Watkins (@michaelaWat) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Just heard about Prince ….can't believe it ……. – KU

– Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

REST IN POWER #RIPPrince

– Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Is it true? Is #Prince gone? #RIP

– Melissa Joan Hart (@MelissaJoanHart) April 21, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Prince RIP: Stars Tweet Their Stunned Reactions