Prince and Bria met at Paisley Park when she was 17 yrs old and working with Morris Hayes of the NPG.
A few years later Valente, born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, moved to California where she worked as a model, background singer and dancer for Usher’s 8701 album.
Valente returned to Minneapolis, where she began her association with Prince, contributing vocals to the Golden Globe winning "The Song of The Heart" (2006) and for his album "Planet Earth" (2007). Valente then recorded her solo album "Elixer", included in the "Lotus Flower" package which was released in March (2009).
She sang lead vocals, with Prince on guitar, and Morris Hayes providing beats. Prince described it as a quiet storm album.
The title track "Elixer" is a duet with Prince.
In March 2009 they filmed a Target commercial at Universal Studios featuring the song "Dreamer" & gave a two part interview on the Tavis Smiley show to promote the new album.
Prince described Bria as someone who is very dear to him, who is really funny & loves to laugh.
He describes her voice as "soothing".
He also stated that he was surprised at how fast she was able to understand scripture which informs his life so much.
Bria spoke about their working relationship as being just like a family. Both of them growing up in Minneapolis, she felt a very special connection with him.
She described recording her album as “all from the heart, and all done with love."
Rumors of their romance started circulating when they appeared together courtside at the Lakers Game on Christmas day 2008.
In Jan 2009 they attended the Clive Davis Grammy party (wearing matching black outfits) and in Feb they were filmed at the Oscars sitting directly behind Heath Ledger`s family.
Soon after, the couple was spotted canoodling at a Lenny Kravits concert & shopping for dresses and chocolate in the most romantic city in the world, Paris.
When they returned to the states Prince performed on the final taping of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
He sang “Somewhere Here on Earth” with Bria Valente sitting on a stool behind him in a red dress with a flower in her hair.
One could not help but wonder “was he singing to her?”
In October 2009 Prince and Bria caused a media frenzy during Fashion Week in Paris. They attended three shows;
Yves St Lauren, Chanel, and Galliano.
Chanel reported “The pair was the focus of attention as they sat front row at the Chanel presentation, holding hands.”
Prince told YSL reporters that his date, American singer Bria Valente, was "his favorite model".
That would seem to be the case considering the many photographs of Bria released in the media, including her CD Cover, were taken by Prince himself.
On Oct 11, while still in Paris, Prince gave two surprise concerts at the glass and iron Grand Palais exhibition hall.
Both concerts he arrived with Bria Valente hand in hand and placed her in a small balcony section close to the stage.
One of the fans reported him singing Chaka Khan “I feel for you” directly to her.
The next night he had another surprise 3 1/2 hour show at La Cigale where he sang to her, by special request, “Forever in my Life” and “Single Ladies”.
He also performed a medley of “Dance 4 Me”, “No More Candy” and “1999” on the Paris music TV show Le Canal Plus.
At one point during the show the camera got a close up on Bria in the audience right in front of the stage.
Prince smiled at her and said “I see you B”.
Next the couple announced their move back to Minneapolis where Prince was to throw a homecoming party for her.
Prince called the concert “The Last Jam of 2009” held on Oct 24th where Love 4 One Another Charities hosted a coat drive.
A concertgoer reports, “Prince gave Bria some shout outs during the show.
He said “Hey Bria, can you crowd surf? I need someone to dance with!”.
Their first public appearance together in 2010 was at the Vikings playoff game in Minneapolis, MN.
The win prompted Prince to write a fight song for the Vikings called “Purple and Gold” in hopes that they would make it to the Super Bowl. We will see what the rest of 2010 brings for this royal couple!