Will Smith reveals he spoke to Prince hours before his death

Hollywood star Will Smith says he was “stunned” to hear of Prince’s death as he spoke to the music icon just hours before his passing.

The news of the legendary artist’s death emerged on Thursday, and sheriff’s officials in Minnesota have since revealed the “1999” singer was found unresponsive in an elevator at his Paisley Park compound.

Paramedics were called to the property and performed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), but the 57-year-old singer, who was briefly hospitalised for the flu last week, was subsequently pronounced dead.

Will, 47, has become the latest celebrity friend to share his heartbreak online.

“I am stunned and heartbroken. I just spoke with him last night. Today, Jada & I mourn with all of you the loss of a beautiful poet, a true inspiration, and one of the most magnificent artists to ever grace this earth,” he wrote in a post on Facebook.

His actress wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, also shared a touching tribute on the social networking site.

“Prince was one of the first artists to put me on game in regard to the industry (sic),” she recalled.

“He was not only a genius artist, he was kind, funny, beautifully eccentric, curious, imaginative, magical, spiritual, rebellious and extremely intelligent. He showed me early the power of living one’s life by one’s own rules and no one else’s. There are really no words to express what we have all lost today.”