Prince’s ex-wife Mayte Garcia reveals she wants lookalike actress Zendaya to play her in biopic – as she details heartbreaking tragedy she’s most terrified of watching on-screen

With her sculpted jaw, brown eyes and block border, Zendaya could easily be mistaken for a young Mayte Garcia.

So it may come as no surprise that Prince’s ex-wife has revealed that she would like the Euphoria actress to play her in the upcoming film adaptation of her 2017 memoir, The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince.

The dancer and actress, 50, married the music icon on Valentine’s Day 1996 – when she was just 22 and he was 37 – before the couple split in 1999.

As the world prepares to watch her story on the big screen, Mayte exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that she thinks Zendaya, 27, could capture her “essence” – just weeks after taping Selena Gomez for the job considered.

“I mentioned Selena Gomez as an option earlier,” she said. “But it’s so funny because so many people sent me a photo of Zendaya with the bangs during Paris Fashion Week. I didn’t think about it, but now I think she might.

“But it could also be someone who has no name and is incredibly talented… I want someone who can capture my essence, I really hope it’s about the essence when they cast.”

Discussing possible casting last week, Mayte revealed that she had her eyes on former Disney star Gomez, 31, who recently took on the role of Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic.

“At first, when people started talking to me about (casting), my mind went to Selena Gomez,” she told the Allison Interviews podcast.

“She exudes a kindness and innocence that I can relate to. I just saw her playing with me. I think she could do it. … But I’ve also had people send me other people and I’m like, “Wow, she looks like me, but can she have that essence of whatever I have?” I think we’ll find it.’

If released, the film would be Zendaya’s first biopic starring in blockbusters like Dune and Spider-Man.

When it comes to the casting of her ex, Mayte explained that she would prefer if a lesser-known actor were given the role, stating that this would give them the chance to really bring the beloved musician to the project embody.

Mayte, who choreographed the routines for Britney Spears’ 2001 song I’m A Slave 4 U, is keen to help the chosen cast with their dance moves.

“I would love to teach choreography to whoever is cast to play me,” she admitted. “Although it would be so strange to see them emulate me.”

The charity director continued: ‘I have been teaching for many years and I love it. I’m excited because whoever gets the role or not, I don’t worry about that because I make them move and dance.”

Mayte’s connection with Prince began in 1990 when her mother sent a video to the Prince team showing the movements of her then 16-year-old daughter. Shortly after, she was hired to be part of his Diamonds and Pearls Tour.

At 18, she became the centerpiece of his 1992 album – the title of which was an unpronounceable symbol before it later became known as Love Symbol.

Prince also wrote his 1995 hit The Most Beautiful Girl in the World about Garcia.

The two were married for three years, during which time they tragically lost a child just days after it was born.

The couple’s son, Amiir – which means Prince in Arabic – died in October 1996 from a rare congenital disease called Pfeiffer syndrome.

The condition prevents the head from growing properly due to the premature fusion of certain skull bones.

Prince fell into depression after the death of his son and canceled two of his tour stops in December 1996.

The couple separated just a few years later and in 1999 the couple’s marriage was annulled on their third wedding anniversary.

Mayte admitted that it will be incredibly difficult to watch the reenactment of their son’s loss on screen.

She explained, “It will be hard to watch the scenes about the loss of our son, even writing that part was one of the hardest for me. It kind of came organically, because I’m already thinking, “When am I going to do it?”

‘So I hope it goes well. That will be difficult to watch, but it must be done with complete respect.”

She continued: “Luckily the team wants me involved and they want my advice. There are times when I think, “Oh God,” but I let it go…the same thing I had to do with the book.

‘When I wrote it and got it back completed, I felt a lot of fear. But you have to let it go, and as long as it comes from an honest and loving place, you’ll be fine. I have a feeling that’s going to happen with the movie.”

She previously revealed that the death of their child, along with a subsequent miscarriage, tore the couple’s marriage apart.

Mayte continues to honor her late son while working to preserve her former husband’s charitable legacy.

After the then-couple founded Love 4 One Another (L4OA) Charities in November 1996, they quietly worked toward the mission of helping hungry, disadvantaged children, the homeless, and those with disabilities or special needs.

She explained, “When Prince passed away. I received notice that he had left me as one of the board members. So we did some research, took our time and asked what he did.

‘I discovered so many people he helped, so I’m working on a documentary there now because he was so generous. It’s really heartwarming to realize how much he has done. He just didn’t want the credit, he did it all anonymously.’

When Prince passed away in 2016, Mayte helped rename and reclassify the company from a private foundation to a public charity, retroactive to January 2017.

Now known as Live 4 Love charitiesthe dancer is working to ensure that the music of the next generation of great artists flows into the world.

Via LIVE4MUSIC music education programyoung music lovers aged between seven and seventeen can submit entries to take part in the programme, receiving invaluable online lessons from prolific and critically acclaimed musicians working in the industry.

Those interested in participating in the free program must submit a short video/recording demonstration of their current skill level by March 1, 2024. All submissions will be considered.

Mayte stated, “Our mission is to help people get on their feet. I hope people sign up because you never know what’s going to happen. The worst that can happen is someone says no.

“I love hearing the kids play on stage and seeing them progress. It’s so rewarding. My goal is to one day create something in every city.’