Jennifer Hudson, Color Purple cast turn encore into a beautiful Prince tribute

The Color Purple cast sang "Purple Rain"
(Image credit: The Color Purple/YouTube)

"I did not expect to have to speak tonight, but God has his way," Jennifer Hudson told the audience after Thursday night's Broadway performance of The Color Purple. "We lost a legend, who was a good friend of mine, Prince, who's dear to all of us." Prince "said his music will live on, and he will live through his music," Hudson added, "so we want to keep him alive today with a song." The song was "Purple Rain," and Cynthia Erivo started it out. Hudson took over, and the cast all joined in, along with the audience. Prince would have ordered it taken off YouTube, but it's hard to imagine he wouldn't love the tribute. You might want some tissues on hand, just in case. Watch. Peter Weber

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.