Why Prince doesn't have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

When a celebrity dies, visitors flock to the Hollywood Walk of Fame to lay flowers and messages near the individual's star — a communal celebration of a life that had an impact on so many others.

But fans of Prince won't be able to find his name on Hollywood Boulevard.

The 57-year-old Purple Rain musician, who died Thursday at his recording studio home in suburban Minneapolis, never got a star.

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"Getting calls about Prince & whether he had a star or not," Ana Martinez, producer for the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies, posted on social media following his death. "Sadly, paperwork was never sent in for consideration. He was on my wish list."

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce presides over the major tourist attraction, which includes stars for the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Lopez and Donald Trump.

When David Bowie died in January, a makeshift memorial surrounded his star. A similar gesture took place after the death of Maurice White from the band Earth, Wind and Fire a month later.

Applications for a star come with a $30,000 US sponsorship fee, which goes toward creating it and maintaining the Walk of Fame.

Martinez, who represents the Chamber of Commerce, said there had been talk in the past about honouring the singer.

"Prince was approached on two occasions about the possibility of being nominated for a star and he stated that the timing was not right," Martinez posted Friday on the organization's Facebook page.

She said a star can be awarded posthumously, but there is a five-year waiting period before a nomination can be considered.

"We hope his family will do that when the time comes," she wrote.

When asked whether the organization would be willing to waive the mandatory waiting period for Prince, Martinez responded: "It would not be fair to those waiting for their loved ones' anniversary to pass. Sorry."