Mariah Carey: I ‘can’t believe’ Prince has gone

Mariah Carey "can’t believe" Prince is gone.

The ‘Without You’ hitmaker has paid tribute to the late singer – who passed away in April at the age of 57 from an accidental drug overdose – and his incredible songwriting skills.

She told the new issue of Complex magazine: "Prince was one of the best people I’ve met. He didn’t care about the big system. I was always like, at any time Prince could write a No. 1 song, because he’s that talented, but he chooses to do what he wants. I respect that.

"He actually helped me through a lot of situations with his knowledge. He always had a plan. I just can’t believe he’s gone. I was hoping that it was a trick that he was pulling – that it didn’t really happen."

Meanwhile, the 46-year-old singer – who has five-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-husband Nick Cannon – previously reacted to Prince’s death by asking for people to take time to reflect on his life.

Speaking in Paris after his death, she said: "He was a friend to me too and he talked me through some times I really, really needed somebody … he was an incredible person if you didn’t ever get to meet him and I’m sure his music touched every single person in here. So, let’s have a moment of silence for Prince if we could please …

"It’s a very sad day but we remember the life of somebody who will always be treasured … It’s such a loss that he’s gone. I’ll never get over it."