14 DAY TRIAL // Prince made a rare public appearance the other night at the Apollo Theater’s 75th anniversary celebration to toast Patti LaBelle. The singer was seen walking with the help of a (very stylish) cane, which has prompted speculation that his older hip problems have returned. In fact, his condition has deteriorated so much that he now needs double hip replacement, a report on Showbiz 411 says.
According to Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411, Prince’s condition has deteriorated to the extreme, with sources whispering that he’s actually living more on painkillers, since he couldn’t possibly stand the pain otherwise. Word of the singer’s affection first got out in the media in 2005, when it became clear he needed hip replacement surgery, a procedure he turned down because he’s a Jehovah’s Witness and, apparently, does not believe in blood transfusions.
“He’s in a lot of pain. He’s popping pain killers and hoping it will all go away.” an unnamed but reportedly close source tells Friedman. While reports claimed that the diminutive star agreed to “secret surgery” either in 2007 or 2008, these recent comments would seem to indicate that he did not. Quite on the contrary, Prince apparently chose to ignore the debilitating condition, which only made it worse, so much so that he’s reportedly this close to resorting to a wheelchair to move from one place to another because of the pain he has to endure.
“The real buzz on Prince is that his much reported hip problems of the past have now turned into need for a double hip replacement. Unfortunately, thanks to his practice as a Jehovah’s Witness, Prince still refuses surgery. JW’s don’t believe in blood transfusions. Now the diminutive R&B star is walking with a diamond-studded stick to keep him upright. It’s the same stick I saw him with two nights ago at a post-Tony Awards bash. I’m sure he’d rather have a Raspberry beret or a little red Corvette, but for now Prince is stuck with the stick.” Friedman writes, while also giving in to the obvious joke of “He’s so hip he needs two new ones.”
As of now, camp Prince has made no comment on the above report on the singer’s health. Should any change occur, rest assured that you’ll find out about it here.