Patricia “Apollonia” Kotero’s story begins in sunny Southern California, where she was born in 1959 to Mexican immigrant parents in the beachside community of San Pedro. The eldest of four children, young Patricia grew up in a bilingual household – English at school, Spanish at home – that instilled in her a rich sense of cultural heritage. Her father, Victor, worked hard managing a restaurant, while her mother, Socorro, cared for the elderly. Though American-born, Apollonia embraced her Mexican roots; she would later recall how she mixed Spanish phrases into her Valley Girl-accented English, a proud nod to her upbringing. From the start, this future starlet had performing in her blood. In fact, Apollonia has joked that her life in entertainment was practically destined from conception – quite literally, as she quips that she was conceived on the Santa Monica Pier, adding a touch of local legend to her origin story.
Even as a little girl, Apollonia was irresistibly drawn to the spotlight. Family members remember her as an energetic child who could turn any space into a stage. “I would dance on tabletops for silver dollars,” she later told People with a laugh, reminiscing about her earliest impromptu performances. “I wanted to entertain.” By her teen years, that playful showmanship evolved into a determined ambition. Blessed with sparkling brown eyes, cascading dark hair, and a radiant smile, Apollonia began to realize she had the looks – and the drive – to make it in show business. She attended high school in the Los Angeles area, but textbooks and classrooms couldn’t hold her interest for long. At 16, brimming with confidence and big dreams, she made the bold decision to drop out of school and pursue modeling and acting full-time. It was a daring move, especially for a first-generation Mexican American young woman in the 1970s, but Apollonia’s family supported her starry-eyed aspirations. She was on a mission to turn her natural charisma into a career.
Beauty Queen to Aspiring Star
Apollonia’s early foray into entertainment proved that her confidence was well placed. She quickly made a name for herself on the Southern California pageant circuit, collecting tiaras and titles as effortlessly as her megawatt smile won over judges. In fact, Apollonia later recalled that she “won 19 out of 20 contests” she entered – a nearly undefeated run that crowned her Miss San Pedro and other local honors. With her poise, swimsuit-model figure, and magnetic stage presence, she was a natural in the beauty queen realm. But for Apollonia, these pageant victories were never the end goal; they were stepping stones to something bigger. Each sash and trophy only fueled her desire to act and sing. The pageants gave her exposure and polish, but more importantly they affirmed what she knew deep down: she was born to be a performer.
By the early 1980s, Apollonia Kotero was hustling hard to turn her beauty and talent into an entryway to Hollywood. She spent a season cheerleading for the Los Angeles Rams, high-kicking on the football field as one of the famed “Ramettes.” Under the Friday night lights, Apollonia’s energy and photogenic charm caught plenty of attention. The cheerleader gig, along with frequent modeling assignments, helped pay the bills and kept her in the public eye. But on her days off, Apollonia was auditioning for every acting role she could find, determined to prove she had substance beyond the pretty face. She snagged bit parts on popular TV shows of the era, making brief appearances in series like CHiPs, Fantasy Island, Tales of the Gold Monkey, Matt Houston, and even a memorable cameo on Knight Rider. It was usually a line here or a glance there – often credited under the name “Patti Kotero” – but each small role was a vital learning experience. Apollonia was paying her dues in Hollywood’s trenches, soaking up time on set and dreaming of her big break.
Apollonia’s first starring role didn’t come from Hollywood at all, but from the thriving Latin American film industry. Fluent in Spanish and eager for opportunities, she ventured south of the border to appear in Mexican and Latin American film projects. In 1980, at just 20 years old, she landed a lead role in Amor Ciego (“Blind Love”), a steamy Colombian-Mexican co-production. Starring opposite one of Mexico’s top heartthrobs of the day, Apollonia held her own on screen and earned her first taste of movie stardom among Spanish-speaking audiences. By her early twenties, she had also featured in other Latin cinema productions and even graced the covers of Spanish-language magazines. The experiences broadened her acting chops and made her a recognizable face beyond the U.S. market. It also didn’t hurt that these gigs were financially rewarding – by the time she turned 24, Apollonia had impressively made her first million dollars, as her proud brother once revealed to People. Not bad for a small-town girl from San Pedro who had dared to chase a far-fetched dream.
Still, mainstream American fame remained elusive. To inch closer to that goal, Apollonia took roles in music videos, which in the early ’80s were becoming a new ticket to visibility thanks to MTV. She had a sexy turn in the video for “The Other Woman” by Ray Parker Jr. (of future Ghostbusters theme fame), and sizzled on screen in Eddie Money’s rock video “Shakin’.” Those brief video appearances – often playing the alluring object of the singer’s affection – further showcased Apollonia’s smoldering camera presence. She was building momentum, piece by piece. What she needed now was a serendipitous twist of fate, the kind of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could catapult her from bit player to headline star. As it turned out, fate was about to come knocking in the form of a purple-clad musical genius who was searching for a leading lady.
Prince’s New Protégée: Landing Purple Rain
In late 1983, Apollonia Kotero was a hungry young actress in Los Angeles with a few credits to her name and a stack of ambitions. Little did she know, her life was about to change with one phone call. The call came from her agent: megastar musician Prince was holding auditions for a new movie, a rock musical set to showcase his electric music and unique Minneapolis mystique. The film was Purple Rain, and Prince needed a female lead to play his on-screen love interest – a role that also required fronting a girl group in the movie’s storyline. The part had originally been intended for Prince’s protégé Denise “Vanity” Matthews, who fronted the girl group Vanity 6. But Vanity had abruptly quit the project over a salary dispute, leaving Prince scrambling to recast his leading lady mere weeks before filming. Apollonia, with her sultry beauty and on-camera experience, was invited to try out. She was thrilled and nervous; this was the kind of break she had been preparing for her whole life.
Walking into the audition, Apollonia had a secret weapon of sorts: her name. Coincidentally, “Apollonia” was already her given middle name (she had been christened Patricia Apollonia Kotero), and Prince’s team thought it was so distinctive that they kept it for the character’s name in the script. So when Apollonia auditioned, she wasn’t just vying for a role – she was essentially auditioning to play a version of herself, a newcomer singer named Apollonia who sweeps Prince’s character off his feet. Legend has it that Prince was instantly taken with the exotic, confident young woman who stood before him. She had the beauty, she had the spark, and she could sing and act – a combination that wasn’t easy to find. Apollonia also possessed a natural chemistry that matched well with Prince’s enigmatic aura. It didn’t hurt that she had some rock-and-roll connections of her own; at the time, she happened to be casually dating David Lee Roth, the flamboyant lead singer of Van Halen, who had noticed her modeling work and encouraged her career. In one of those only-in-Hollywood twists, Apollonia later mentioned that Roth had hired her for a magazine cover shoot and supported her ambitions – but now her focus was all on impressing Prince.
Apollonia’s audition was a hit. Practically overnight, this 24-year-old Latina actress went from obscurity to landing the coveted role of leading lady in Prince’s pet project. She would play “Apollonia,” a wide-eyed singer who arrives in Minneapolis with dreams of stardom and becomes the romantic center of Purple Rain’s story. For Apollonia Kotero, it was the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to act, sing, and dance alongside one of music’s biggest superstars in a major motion picture. It also meant stepping into some pretty tall heels: Vanity had been a charismatic stage presence, and Prince’s inner circle wondered if Apollonia could truly fill the void. Prince himself, ever the visionary, believed in her from day one. He famously renamed Vanity 6 as Apollonia 6 in her honor, effectively crowning Apollonia as his new muse. With her casting, Apollonia Kotero became Prince’s latest protégée – joining the ranks of talented women like Sheila E. and Wendy & Lisa who were part of the Purple One’s world – and she was about to be tested in ways she never imagined.
Purple Rain: On Set of an ’80s Classic
Filming Purple Rain in late 1983 and early 1984 was a whirlwind experience that Apollonia Kotero often describes as magical, challenging, and utterly surreal. For a young actress making her big-screen debut, the pressure was on. The movie was semi-autobiographical for Prince, and he was deeply invested in every detail, from the music to the costumes to the performances of his cast. On set in Minneapolis, Prince could be shy and soft-spoken one moment, then burst with creative energy the next – a mercurial mentor who expected Apollonia to keep up with his pace. She later noted that Prince, despite his flamboyant stage persona, was “very gentle and very shy” in private, even a bit of a prankster who loved to lighten the mood. But when the cameras rolled, he transformed into the confident, charismatic Kid – and Apollonia had to bring her A-game to stand toe-to-toe with him on screen.
One of the most famous scenes Apollonia tackled was the now-iconic “Lake Minnetonka” sequence. In the script, Prince’s character playfully dares Apollonia’s character to “purify [herself] in the waters of Lake Minnetonka” as a test of trust and devotion. Ever a daredevil, Apollonia’s character strips down and leaps into the lake’s chilly waters, only for Prince to quip that the water she’s in isn’t actually Lake Minnetonka at all – a teasing ruse. The scene required Apollonia (the actress) to jump fully nude into an actual Minnesota lake during what turned out to be an unseasonably cold shoot day. Unbeknownst to her, it had snowed the night before, and the frigid water was barely above freezing. Ever the trooper, Apollonia steeled herself and did the stunt – not once, but again and again. She ended up doing four takes of that leap into the icy lake, each time pulling herself out and trying not to shake as the cameras captured her shock and Prince’s mischievous grin. Incredibly, the very first take was the one used in the film, perfectly capturing Apollonia’s genuine squeal of surprise at the cold. What audiences didn’t see was what happened after: by the last take, Apollonia’s body had had enough. The crew hurried to bundle the shivering actress in blankets and rush her into a heated tent. Inside, as an on-set nurse checked her, Apollonia started fading in and out – she was in the early stages of hypothermia. Suddenly, a wave of concern rippled through the set.
As Apollonia’s vision blurred and she struggled to stay conscious, she heard panicked voices around her. “Everything started to fade to black,” she later recalled of that frightening moment. The nurse was preparing to call an ambulance, worried that Apollonia’s body temperature had dropped dangerously low. But before she slipped under, Apollonia felt a familiar presence by her side. Prince had rushed over to the warming tent as soon as he heard she was in trouble. She felt him wrap his arms around her cold, wet skin, trying to lend her his body warmth. “Please don’t die. Please don’t die on me, Apollonia,” he whispered with a cracking voice, holding her tight. Even in her daze, Apollonia registered the rare emotion in Prince’s plea – the superstar who usually radiated cool was genuinely afraid for her. The gesture touched her deeply. In her mind she mustered a response, fighting through chattering teeth to reassure him: “I’m not going anywhere. I have to finish this movie!” Apollonia blurted out as she regained alertness, determined not to let a little hypothermia stop the show. Prince broke into a relieved chuckle, and the crisis passed. Later, Apollonia would fondly say that Prince “saved” her that day with his warmth and compassion – a behind-the-scenes bond that cemented their friendship for years to come.
Of course, not every memorable moment on Purple Rain was so harrowing. Many were pure fun, and the chemistry between Prince and Apollonia was electric on and off camera. Audiences would forever remember their flirtatious motorcycle rides through the Minnesota countryside, the playful splashing in that lake scene, and even an infamous slap delivered by Prince’s character when tensions flare – all scenes crackling with an almost palpable romantic tension. Their on-screen kisses and musical duets were so convincing that gossip swirled in 1984: Was Prince dating his gorgeous co-star in real life? The truth was a bit more complicated. Apollonia admits that, like millions of women, she harbored a tiny crush on Prince during shooting. Who wouldn’t, watching him perform shirtless and oiled-up in a song like “Computer Blue,” as she later coyly revealed? “For a moment I was like, ‘He’s really sexy,’” she confessed. But, ever mindful of the pitfalls of mixing work and romance, Apollonia kept things professional. Prince, for his part, treated her with a brotherly affection and never crossed that line. “We had great chemistry… But our romance was only onscreen,” Apollonia has stressed in interviews, clearing up the decades-old fan fantasy that the two were an off-screen couple. In truth, they built a close friendship founded on mutual respect. Prince even gave Apollonia the pet nickname “Purple Babe” during production – a term of endearment for his bright new star.
When Purple Rain hit theaters in the summer of 1984, it was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. The film dazzled critics and audiences alike, blending rock concert energy with an emotional coming-of-age story. And smack at the heart of it was Apollonia, the stunning newcomer whose smoldering presence and genuine performance helped humanize Prince’s tale. Critics praised her natural screen charisma, noting that the strikingly attractive Apollonia and the magnetic Prince made a pair you couldn’t help but root for. The movie dominated the box office, eventually grossing more than ten times its modest budget and winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. It wasn’t just a movie – it became a time capsule of the 1980s music scene and a touchstone for a generation. Suddenly, Apollonia Kotero was a household name. She had gone from unknown to overnight sensation, immortalized in that epoch-defining image: clad in a fringed leather jacket, riding on the back of Prince’s roaring purple motorcycle through the Minneapolis night. For Apollonia, it was a dizzying ascent to fame. One day she was struggling to get noticed; the next, she was on red carpets, mobbed by fans screaming her name, and splashed across the covers of teen magazines as Hollywood’s exciting new “It Girl.”
Apollonia 6 and Musical Stardom
Even as Purple Rain made Apollonia a film star, it also launched her music career in a big way. In the movie, Apollonia’s character forms a girl group with two of Prince’s female bandmates, portraying an up-and-coming trio under Prince’s guidance. Life imitated art, as Apollonia stepped into the real-life role of lead singer for the newly christened Apollonia 6. The group – consisting of Apollonia, Brenda Bennett, and Susan Moonsie – had actually existed before under the name Vanity 6 when Vanity was in charge. With Apollonia now at the helm, the trio recorded a self-titled album and a set of flirty, high-energy funk-pop tracks curated by Prince. Their signature song, “Sex Shooter,” was featured prominently in the film with a steamy performance scene and went on to become a modest hit. Apollonia 6 even embarked on a worldwide promotional tour, performing “Sex Shooter” for packed clubs and on TV shows to capitalize on the Purple Rain craze. Night after night, Apollonia would strut on stage in lacy lingerie-inspired costumes (the group’s titillating trademark look) and lead the group in belting out the cheeky tune, much to the delight of 80s audiences. The song’s infectious chorus – “I need you to be my sex shooter – became one of the year’s guilty pleasure anthems.
Behind the scenes, Apollonia was learning the ropes of the music industry directly from Prince himself. He wrote or co-wrote almost all the material for Apollonia 6 and guided the group’s sound, which blended his Minneapolis funk style with playful, feminine vocals. In the process, Prince also encouraged Apollonia’s own songwriting instincts. In what would become a fascinating footnote in pop music history, Apollonia had a hand in the creation of a little song called “Manic Monday.” She and Prince worked on the lyrics together in 1984, intending Apollonia 6 to record it. Ultimately the song didn’t make the group’s album, and it was tucked back into Prince’s vault – only to emerge later as a smash hit for The Bangles in 1986. (Prince, under the pseudonym “Christopher,” gave Manic Monday to The Bangles, and it reached No. 2 on the charts, becoming one of the defining pop songs of the ’80s.) Apollonia’s brush with Manic Mondayis a reminder of how closely she orbited Prince’s prolific creativity. She was present at the genesis of songs that would reverberate through pop culture, even if her own versions weren’t released.
Another iconic track tied to Apollonia’s name is “Take Me With U,” the romantic duet she sings with Prince in Purple Rain. In the film, the song plays during a joyful montage of The Kid (Prince) and Apollonia riding his motorcycle through the countryside, solidifying their blossoming love. Apollonia’s light, sweet vocals paired with Prince’s made “Take Me With U” a fan favorite. Released as a single in early 1985, it climbed into the Billboard Top 40, peaking at #25, and even hit the Top 10 in the UK. It was Apollonia’s first taste of chart success and remains one of the enduring radio staples from the Purple Rain soundtrack. Imagine the thrill for Apollonia – a young woman who had dreamed of singing – to hear her voice on the radio next to Prince’s, immortalized in a hit song that millions of people were singing along to. Years later, she would still light up recalling how surreal it felt to perform that song on stage with Prince, the roar of the crowd echoing as they belted the chorus in unison.
In the wake of Purple Rain’s triumph, Apollonia 6 enjoyed their moment in the spotlight, but the group’s lifespan was destined to be short. Prince was already moving on to new musical chapters, and Apollonia herself began feeling the tug toward more independent ventures. By 1985, roughly a year after Purple Rain’s release, Apollonia made a pivotal decision: she chose to leave Prince’s camp and strike out on her own path. The official line was that she departed to pursue acting opportunities (which was true – a juicy TV role was calling, as we’ll see next). But insiders knew there were other factors too. For one, Prince ran a tight ship creatively; he could be, in Apollonia’s words, a bit of a “puppeteer” when it came to the careers of his protégées. Apollonia had tasted incredible fame under Prince’s wing, but she also sensed that to grow as an artist, she might need to step outside of his purple shadow. “He was such a controlling person,” she later remarked, noting that as grateful as she was for his mentorship, she also valued her autonomy. Apollonia wisely kept her relationship with Prince on a friendly footing rather than a romantic one, and that perhaps helped them avoid the drama that complicated some of Prince’s other collaborations with women. When she told Prince she was moving on to a new project, he gave his blessing, at least publicly. The era of Apollonia 6 came to a quiet close, sealed with one funky, flirtatious album that has since become a cult classic for Prince aficionados.
Leaving the Nest: Solo Career and Television
Apollonia’s departure from Prince’s inner circle in 1985 was bold, but she wasn’t leaving the limelight by any means. Almost immediately, she landed a plum television role that kept her star rising. CBS cast Apollonia in its hit prime-time soap opera Falcon Crest, a glamorous saga of a California wine-making dynasty (think Dallas with vineyards). For a young actress eager to prove herself, Falcon Crest was a golden opportunity to show her acting chops to a broad TV audience. In the show’s fifth season, Apollonia joined the cast as a character – humorously, and perhaps inevitably – named Apollonia. (The producers wisely capitalized on her famous moniker, writing a part that didn’t even require a name change!) She played the girlfriend of the show’s handsome heartthrob, played by Lorenzo Lamas. Over ten episodes, Apollonia brought drama and intrigue to Falcon Crest, and even got to incorporate her musical talents. In one storyline, her character performs at a nightclub, allowing Apollonia to sing original songs on the show. One such number was “Red Light Romeo,” a catchy pop tune written for her that she performed in character. It was a surreal blending of her real persona and fictional role – Apollonia the singer-actress playing Apollonia the character, singing Apollonia’s songs! Audiences loved it, and it proved that Apollonia’s appeal extended beyond the purple glow of Prince’s world.
While Apollonia was making waves on TV, she was also quietly crafting her next move in music. Stepping out from under Prince’s prolific songwriting meant Apollonia had to develop her own musical identity. She spent the next couple of years working with various producers and songwriters, determined to record a solo album that showcased her personal style. In 1988, Apollonia’s vision came to fruition when Warner Bros. Records released her self-titled debut album Apollonia. This time, the music was all her own – a mix of danceable R&B and pop tracks tailored to her silky voice. She released three singles from the album: “Since I Fell for You,” “The Same Dream,” and “Mismatch.” Though none of these songs became blockbuster hits on the mainstream Hot 100, they did find some success on the dance charts, where Apollonia’s club-friendly sound scored with DJs and fans who remembered her from Purple Rain. In fact, “Since I Fell for You” became a hit in the freestyle/dance scene, and “The Same Dream” and “Mismatch” also got significant club play and video rotation. Critics noted that Apollonia’s music had a different flavor than the Prince-produced tunes of her past – more late-’80s glossy pop, less raw funk – but it was undoubtedly her stepping out as a solo artist.
One historic achievement from this period underscored Apollonia’s significance as a trailblazer. In 1988, to promote her new music, Apollonia was invited to host the legendary TV show Showtime at the Apollo. Taking that stage in Harlem at the famed Apollo Theater, Apollonia wowed the crowd not just as a host but as a performer, singing selections from her album. In doing so, she became the first Latina of Mexican heritage to ever host and perform on Showtime at the Apollo. It was a moment of immense pride for her – a daughter of Mexican immigrants, commanding the stage at one of Black America’s most hallowed entertainment venues, bridging cultural worlds through music. The audience responded with enthusiasm, and Apollonia proved she could hold her own in a live setting notorious for tough-to-please crowds. This milestone highlighted how Apollonia’s crossover appeal transcended categories; she was a Hispanic woman thriving in largely African American and mainstream pop arenas alike, during a time when such crossovers were not so common. Her success opened doors, showing that talent and charisma know no ethnic bounds in showbiz.
Throughout the late ’80s and into the ’90s, Apollonia continued to explore acting opportunities, albeit on a more modest scale than her Purple Rain days. She appeared in a string of indie films and B-movies, carving out a niche as a working actress in action thrillers and erotic thrillers that were staples of the era’s straight-to-video market. Her film credits from this time include titles like Ministry of Vengeance (1989), where she played a character caught in a web of international intrigue, and Back to Back (1990), an action romp in which she starred alongside martial arts star Billy Blanks. In 1991, Apollonia took a turn into the supernatural genre with Black Magic Woman, a voodoo-themed thriller co-starring Mark Hamill (of Star Wars fame). She also participated in a couple of international film productions, such as the Italian movies La Donna di una Sera (“A Lady for a Night”) and Cattive Ragazze (“Bad Girls”) in the early ’90s. These projects may not have been blockbuster hits – many were the kind of late-night cable fare that developed cult followings – but they allowed Apollonia to work steadily and to experiment with a variety of roles beyond the girl-next-door persona of Apollonia from Purple Rain.
Television beckoned again in the 1990s as well. Apollonia made guest appearances on shows like the sci-fi adventure Sliders and the syndicated action series Air America (where she reunited on-screen with Lorenzo Lamas, her old Falcon Crest flame). She even popped up in the realm of reality and lifestyle TV, giving fans a peek into her life on programs like E! Celebrity Homes and MTV’s Cribs. One delightful sight for fans was seeing Apollonia on MTV Cribs giving a tour of her home alongside her close friend Carmen Electra – a fellow Prince protégée from a later era – demonstrating that Apollonia remained a part of the extended “Prince family” of artists. Ever entrepreneurial, Apollonia also released a home exercise video titled “Go For It” during the fitness-crazed late ’80s, showing off her dance-honed physique and encouraging others to get in shape with her upbeat routines.
By the end of the 1990s, Apollonia Kotero had worn many hats in the entertainment industry: actress, singer, model, TV host, you name it. Showing that her talents extended beyond performing, she decided to step behind the camera and into a producer’s role. In 1997, Apollonia married Kevin Bernhardt, an aspiring actor/screenwriter, and though their marriage would last a decade (the pair amicably divorced in 1997), it was during that period that Apollonia made moves to start her own production company. In 1998, she founded Kotero Entertainment, envisioning it as a multimedia company that would develop film, TV, and music projects. One of her initial goals was to produce a children’s animated series, tapping into her love for family-friendly content, as well as to create reality shows centered around celebrity life. She also took on the role of talent manager through Kotero Entertainment, helping guide young performers in Hollywood. Among those she mentored were a young actress named Sascha Andres and a budding pop singer named Nikki Barreras (aka Nikki B). For Apollonia, who had navigated the tricky waters of fame largely on her own guts and instincts, it was important to give back by helping new talent avoid the pitfalls she’d learned to sidestep. This new chapter as a businesswoman demonstrated Apollonia’s evolution from ingenue to industry veteran – she now had wisdom to impart and the savvy to try to shape the entertainment world from behind the scenes.
Personal Trials and Lasting Friendship
Through all the highs and lows of Apollonia’s career, one constant thread was her enduring connection to Prince. Despite leaving his camp professionally in 1985, Apollonia and Prince remained in each other’s orbit for decades, nurturing a close friendship that withstood the test of time (and the tumult of the music business). They would speak periodically, and whenever they reunited it was as if no time had passed – the mutual affection and that playful teasing dynamic were still there. Apollonia often affectionately referred to Prince as her “brother,” emphasizing that their bond was familial rather than romantic. Over the years, Prince welcomed her at his concerts and events, and Apollonia for her part never hesitated to gush about his talent and influence in interviews. They truly had a special rapport rooted in that singular experience of making Purple Rain together and navigating the instant fame it brought.
That’s not to say everything was always rosy. Like any longtime friends, Apollonia and Prince had occasional disagreements. Prince could be inscrutable and notoriously controlling about his artistic legacy. Apollonia, candid and independent, sometimes spoke openly to the press about her Purple Rain days, which Prince didn’t love. In fact, in one of their last long conversations, around 2015, Prince gently scolded Apollonia for sharing too many behind-the-scenes stories in public. He told her to “stop telling the priceless stories” because he had big plans: he wanted Apollonia to save those memories for a potential book or film that he intended to help her with, once he finished his own memoir. It was Prince’s way of looking out for her legacy – he wanted their shared history presented in the right way, with his royal stamp of approval. Apollonia agreed, touched by Prince’s concern and intrigued by the idea of future collaborations. At the time, Prince even returned a gift of sorts: he had quietly transferred to Apollonia and her bandmates the trademark rights to the name “Apollonia 6,” signaling that he trusted her to carry on that part of their legacy. It seemed the stage was being set for a new chapter in their partnership, years after Purple Rain.
Tragically, those plans never came to pass. On April 21, 2016, the world lost Prince suddenly and far too soon, when he died at the age of 57 from an accidental painkiller overdose. Apollonia was devastated by the loss of her dear friend and former mentor. She had been part of Prince’s life for 32 years – through so many eras of music and personal growth – and now he was gone in a flash. “It left me deeply shaken and depressed,” she later admitted. In the aftermath of his death, Apollonia fell into what she described as a “rabbit hole of severe depression.” For a while, she withdrew from the public eye, grieving privately. Everyday moments would trigger waves of sadness: “I go to a restaurant and ‘Purple Rain’ comes on, or I get in my car and ‘Take Me With U’ plays on the radio… no matter how much time goes by, he’s everywhere,” Apollonia said, describing the beautiful but painful ubiquity of Prince’s music in the world around her. It took a toll on her emotionally. She found solace in her faith – leaning on God, as she puts it, to guide her through the darkness – and in writing out her feelings. A few months after Prince’s passing, Apollonia penned an open letter to him on her social media, pouring out her love, anger, and heartbreak in a moving tribute that fans widely shared. It was a therapeutic act that helped her begin to heal.
Ever the survivor, Apollonia gradually picked herself back up by focusing on honoring Prince’s memory in a positive way. In the summer of 2016, just a few months after the tragedy, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences hosted a special screening and panel in Los Angeles to celebrate Purple Rain and its legacy. Apollonia attended, taking the stage in a stunning purple gown, alongside co-stars and the film’s director. Before a packed theater, they recounted joyful behind-the-scenes anecdotes and the cultural impact of the movie. Apollonia kept her composure, even as her heart ached, and spoke lovingly of Prince’s genius and generosity. “As a young Latina actress, being cast in Purple Rain was the opportunity of a lifetime,” she reflected, noting how Prince had broken barriers by casting a Hispanic woman as a lead in a major film in the 1980s. “Prince was never afraid of taking risks,” she added proudly. The event was cathartic – a celebration of the art they created together and a chance for Apollonia to publicly say, Thank you, my friend.
In the years since, Apollonia has worked to keep Prince’s flame alive while also nurturing her own well-being. She’s been outspoken when necessary – even sparring a bit with some of Prince’s other former associates if she felt they overstepped in the immediate aftermath of his death. (Famously, she publicly criticized Sheila E. at one point for what Apollonia perceived as overly self-promotional tributes to Prince. Fierce loyalty sometimes breeds fierce protectiveness, and Apollonia was not shy about defending Prince’s legacy as she saw fit.) More constructively, Apollonia poured her energy into a labor of love that connected her past to her present: in 2019, she began developing a podcast and online talk show dedicated to Prince’s world and the music of the ’80s that shaped her life. In 2022, she officially launched “Apollonia Studio 6,” a podcast named with a wink at her old group. Co-hosted with her business partner, entertainment photographer Seth Neblett, the show features Apollonia interviewing friends and contemporaries from the music and film industry. Naturally, many guests have Purple Rain or Prince connections – from guitarist André Cymone (an early Prince collaborator) to actress Jill Jones (Apollonia’s blonde, wise-cracking co-star in Purple Rain who later became a singer in Prince’s camp). Apollonia Studio 6 lets her reminisce, laugh, and occasionally shed a tear as she and her guests swap stories about life in Prince’s orbit. The set is decorated in purple, Prince’s image looms large in the studio, and Apollonia’s hearty laugh sets the tone. The podcast even won a Telly Award in 2023 for its heartfelt content, and in doing so, it’s introduced Apollonia to a new generation of fans who adore hearing her 1980s tales and her current insights. It’s been healing for Apollonia to channel her grief into a celebration of music, friendship, and nostalgia – all on her own terms.
On the personal front, Apollonia tends to be private. Her marriage to Kevin Bernhardt ended without fanfare in the ’90s, and she did not have children, devoting much of her life to her career and extended family. In recent interviews, she has expressed contentment, focusing on what fulfills her: creative projects, her faith, and philanthropic endeavors. Apollonia has consistently used her platform to support charitable causes close to her heart. Over the years she’s lent her time to organizations like Project Angel Food and various AIDS charities (a cause especially important in the 1980s and ’90s crisis years). She’s hosted fundraisers for pediatric cancer research and worked with groups aiding victims of domestic violence. Apollonia’s compassionate spirit in these endeavors is another facet of her legacy – one less publicized than her Purple Rain fame, but deeply meaningful to her. Those who know her often describe Apollonia as warm, down-to-earth, and generous, a woman who hasn’t lost the genuine spark that made her shine back in 1984.
Legacy and Pop Culture Influence
It’s been over 40 years since Apollonia Kotero first splashed onto the scene – quite literally, in the waters of that not-really Lake Minnetonka – and her place in pop culture is firmly etched in purple-tinted glass. To this day, mention the name “Apollonia” and it instantly conjures up the imagery of the 1980s music revolution: stiletto heels, lace and leather fashion, big hair and even bigger dreams, set to the pulsating soundtrack of Prince’s masterpiece album Purple Rain. In an era that produced countless pop icons, Apollonia holds the unique distinction of being forever associated with one of the decade’s defining films and albums. The character she portrayed – the ambitious singer who gives Prince’s Kid character that final push to emotional maturity – became an archetype of the era’s rock muse: independent yet devoted, sexy yet sweet, and impossibly cool. Generations of fans have discovered Purple Rain over the years, and Apollonia’s performance continues to resonate. Who can forget her wide-eyed smile as Prince serenades her with “The Beautiful Ones” on stage? Or her feisty glare when she stands up to him with a well-deserved slap in another scene? The film has achieved cult status (even being inducted into the National Film Registry for its cultural significance), and Apollonia’s contributions are a key reason why. Rolling Stone recently ranked the Purple Rain soundtrack as the #2 Best Album of the 1980s and one of the top ten albums of all time, proving that the appetite for all things Purple remains massive. And where there’s Purple, there’s Apollonia as an enduring symbol of that magical time.
Beyond the film, Apollonia’s own career path has been inspirational in quieter ways. As a Latina performer navigating Hollywood in the 1980s, she broke some barriers without fanfare. Leading roles for Hispanic women in mainstream ’80s cinema were scarce, yet there she was in Purple Rain, front and center, representing for Latinas in a landscape that wasn’t exactly diverse. She has expressed immense pride in this, reflecting that Prince’s colorblind casting gave her – a Mexican American actress – a chance to shine when others might not have. In the years since, Apollonia has become something of a role model for other performers of Latin descent. Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek – these megastars all came a bit later and often reference the trailblazers before them. While Apollonia’s name might not come up as often as, say, Rita Moreno or other pioneers, her impact is there. She showed that a Latina could be the belle of the ball in a huge Hollywood musical and captivate worldwide audiences. She carried that representation forward by hosting Showtime at the Apollo, by continuing to put herself out there in various entertainment ventures, and by mentoring young Latina artists through her production company. In a business that can be tough on anyone who doesn’t fit a narrow mold, Apollonia carved out her own lane.
Apollonia’s influence also lingers in the realm of music and fashion. The girl-group glamour and feminine swagger of Apollonia 6 prefigured the vibe of later female pop trios and groups. It’s not a stretch to see a line from the sultry confidence of Apollonia and her bandmates to the empowered sexuality of groups like the Pussycat Dolls or the bold style of Destiny’s Child in their early coordinated-costume days. And let’s not forget the song “Sex Shooter” – cheeky and playful – which became a favorite sample and reference for DJs and hip-hop artists in later decades looking to channel some ’80s sass. Even the name Apollonia itself has a permanent pop culture imprint: countless pets, fictional characters, and yes, real-life babies born in the ’80s were named Apollonia by parents who fell in love with the name after seeing Purple Rain. It’s a name that evokes beauty, strength, and a little rock-and-roll edge all at once.
Today, Apollonia Kotero stands as a vibrant link between the glittery past and the ever-evolving present. In her mid-sixties, she is as engaging and passionate as ever, whether she’s chatting on her podcast or greeting fans at special Purple Rain anniversary screenings. Time has given her perspective on her unique journey. She often says she feels grateful – grateful to Prince for taking a chance on her, grateful for the fans who have embraced her through every phase, and grateful that she’s been able to do what she loves for so many years. She’s quick to laugh about the wild adventures of her youth (ask her about the time Prince playfully pushed her fully clothed into a swimming pool at a party – she’ll giggle and describe how he then jumped in after her, both emerging drenched and laughing). She also speaks with earned wisdom about the hard lessons – the fickleness of fame, the need to stay true to oneself in an industry that tries to define you. Through it all, Apollonia carries herself with a humble warmth, often addressing her social media followers as “my loves” and sharing encouraging messages about following one’s dreams at any age.
