Prince toyed with the idea of releasing an entire album under his alter ego, Camille, which was the identity he attributed to the “pitch-shifted vocals” that, for lack of a better description, made his voice sound girly. So, it’s kind of odd that he outright rejected Jean Paul Gaultier’s costume designs for the Ruby Rhod character in The Fifth Element — in which he was originally cast — on the basis that they were “too effeminate.” Via io9: 
 
 I showed him my drawings, but he didn’t say a word. I had had an idea for a really funny costume with netting which quite long body hair would pass through, and I had done front and back versions of it. So then I explained to Prince: “Eet eel fake ‘air, you know, and eet eel beaucoup, beaucoup, airy, vraiment fun, and ze back is made of sat, and on ze back were eez ze faux cul, you know, a very big faux cul.” and I slapped my buttocks to show him how the back of the costume would be designed. Still not saying anything, Prince gave me this Charlie Chaplin kind of look. I could see that something had just happened, but I didn’t know what, only that he had indicated to his body guard that he wanted to leave right then and there. I thought he was going to go and see Luc. Later, Luc told me that Prince had been very surprised and amused — by my presentation, but that he found the costumes a bit too effeminate. And, most importantly, he had thought he head “Fuck you, fuck you!” when I was saying in my terrible English accent “faux cul, faux cul” [fake ass]! 
 
 Those are Jean Paul Gaultier’s own words, including what his ears think English sounds like, so it’s entirely possible that when he thought Prince said “No thanks, too effeminate,” what he really said was “Why the fuck would I dress like a pube monster caught in a tuna net?” Because here are those costume designs: 
 
 
 
 
 
 And here’s the Lovesexy album cover that has absolutely zero purple-flowered, shaved-leg fucks about femininity, masculinity or anything other than being a certified bad motherfucker at all times. 
 
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 Photo: Getty, Jean Paul Gaultier 
 
 

 Prince Cash-Strapped During Life 
 
 Prince: Cash-Strapped During Life 
 
 EXCLUSIVE 
 
 Prince had chronic money problems for years preceding his death ... this according to multiple sources who advised the singer. 
 
 Our sources -- all of whom had regular contact with Prince and were intimately familiar with his finances -- tell us, the singer refused to leverage or sell his main asset -- his vast music catalog. 
 
 The most common way singers like Prince make a steady flow of income is to sell or license their art. We're told Prince consistently shut down business opportunities that could have fueled his finances. Prince had numerous opportunities to use his music in movies, TV shows and commercials, but with few exceptions, he turned thumbs down. 
 
 The primary way Prince made money was concerts, but our sources say the singer was so impulsive he would do shows on the spur of the moment with poor planning and little promotion. Although many were successful, enough of them weren't ... causing him to lose a fortune. 
 
 The biggest problem ... Prince spent way more than he made, and our sources say money was always an issue. As we reported, the estimated net worth of $300 million was grossly inflated. We're told it's less than half that. It's still a lot of money, but it could've been so much more if he'd cashed in on his greatest asset ... that catalog.
– There are reports estimating Prince's net worth was $300 million when he died, but sources tell TMZ it was actually less than half that amount. Anonymous advisers to the singer say he wouldn't sell his music catalog, and he rarely licensed his music for use in commercials and the like. While he made money through concerts, sources say he often did the shows somewhat spontaneously, meaning they weren't promoted as well as they could be. Last but not least, the sources say he overspent. They also tell the gossip site that his affairs are in a bit of disarray because he often changed his team and didn't have attorneys with experience handling business affairs at his level, and that he died without a will, meaning his siblings could end up splitting his estate. (Check out some costume designs Prince thought were too effeminate.)