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United States Mayte Garcia is a world-renowned dancer, choreographer, actress, singer, animal advocate, and internationally best-selling author.
Mayte Garcia was an aspiring dancer whose mother sent a video of her belly dancing to Prince in the hope he might hire her. Garcia would become the first female solo dancer in The New Power Generation, performing on tours, choreographing routines, and serving as a muse for his music. Their professional and personal relationship led to their marriage in 1996. After their divorce, Garcia continued to honor Prince's legacy through charity work.
Following her divorce from Prince, Mayte taught Britney Spears how to belly dance for the video and performance of 'I'm a Slave 4 U' at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards.
Mayte Garcia continues to honor Prince's legacy and their love story via the charity they co-founded in honor of their son, Amiir, called LIVE4MUSIC (formerly Live 4 Love Charities). The foundation supports programs that uplift and strengthen communities worldwide.
Mayte's love for animals led her to establish Mayte's Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating dogs in need. Through Mayte’s Rescue, she has helped save countless animals.
As a teenager, Garcia became a prima ballerina with the Wiesbaden Ballet.
In 1995, Prince produced an album for Mayte, titled 'Child of the Sun', for a European release on his NPG Records label. This album had one single released overseas, 'If I Love U 2 Nite'.
Mayte Garcia directed music videos for Chaka Khan.
Mayte Garcia directed music videos for Graham Central Station.
Mayte Garcia sang on his album 'Never a Dull Moment' (2002) and toured with him as a dancer.
Mayte Garcia starred on Sí TV's 2004–05 program 'Across the Hall' with Eric Cubiche.
In 2009, Mayte Garcia was a judge on the first season of Oxygen's 'Dance Your Ass Off'.
On June 25, 2012, she began appearing as a principal cast member on VH1's reality show 'Hollywood Exes'.
Mayte Garcia was born on November 12, 1973, at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Her parents, both of Puerto Rican descent, included a military pilot father and a dancer mother. From a young age, Garcia demonstrated exceptional talent, beginning belly dancing at three. By age seven, she achieved national recognition, appearing on the American television program “That’s Incredible!” as the world’s youngest professional belly dancer. As a teenager, she further developed her dance skills, becoming a prima ballerina with the Wiesbaden Ballet in Germany.
Garcia’s professional career began to flourish in 1990 when her mother sent a video of her belly dancing to the musician Prince. This led to Prince meeting Garcia and, by age 18, she joined his performance group, The New Power Generation (NPG). In 1992, she was hired to dance during the “Diamonds and Pearls Tour” and became a central figure in his 1992 album “Love Symbol,” where she assumed the role of an Egyptian princess. She remained a member of the NPG from 1992 to 1996 and continued as an associate dancer during Prince’s tours in 1998 and 1999. In 1995, Prince produced her album, “Child of the Sun,” which was released in Europe. Additionally, she served as artistic director for the New Power Generation Dance Company’s “Around the World in a Day” tour in 1997 and directed music videos for Prince, Chaka Khan, and Graham Central Station. Her choreography work includes the belly dancing routines for Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4 U” music video and her performance at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards.
Beyond her dance career, Garcia has made notable appearances in film and television. Her film credits include a dancer in the Hindi film “Dus” (2005) and a role in “Firehouse Dog” (2007). On television, she has guest-starred in series such as “2 Broke Girls,” “Psych,” “The Closer,” and “Nip/Tuck.” She also had a recurring role as Jennifer Connor in Lifetime’s “Army Wives” from 2008 to 2009 and was a principal cast member on VH1’s reality show “Hollywood Exes” from 2012. In 2017, Garcia authored the best-selling memoir, “The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince,” detailing her professional and personal relationship with the artist. She is also a dedicated animal advocate, having established Mayte’s Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to rescue and rehabilitate dogs.
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