How Prince Gave Carmen Electra Her Name

When Carmen Electra, then Tara Leigh Patrick, was 18 years old, she left her home in Sharonville, Ohio, to pursue a dance career in Los Angeles. One night, she says, she was dancing in a nightclub with a friend when a woman approached her and asked her to audition for a girl group Prince was producing. After meeting the music legend, Carmen says, a little time passed before she got a phone call from Prince himself.

"I received a call from Prince saying, 'I think you should be your own artist and not back up anyone else. I'm going to write you a song, and if you like it, you can record it,'" she says.

The next day, Carmen says, she heard the song, which was called "Carmen on Top." Although she loved the song, she says, she was confused because her name at the time was Tara.

Watch the above video to find out how Prince convinced Tara to become Carmen.

More from this episode