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Imagine you're just a teenage girl mailing in your belly dancing video to Prince just because your mami wouldn't stop convincing you to. Then, a few weeks later, he reaches out to you and before you know it you're one of his dancers and then his first-ever wife. As our editor-in-chief once said, there are celebrities, and then there's Prince. That's how we felt when he had the chance to catch up with Prince first ex-wife, Boricua professional dancer and actor Mayte Garcia. The new star of Vh1's Hollywood Exes (set to air this summer), chatted with us about how to cope with a breakup and get over your ex. She and Prince divorced in 2000 after going through a tough relationship and suffering the loss of their week old baby. They were married for about four years, and as Garcia recalled "So in love, you get lost in it. It was hard, and it's still hard, but you grow tough skin."
Stage One: The Initial Breakup
Don't tell everyone right away
Wait about a month until you decide to spread the news, Garcia says. Once you've taken in the news yourself, then go out and find a support system, and talk about it. "Any kind of loss helps when you talk about it," she says, recalling how she got through her divorce through talking with support groups, family, and friends.
Go shopping
"But don't get too crazy!" she says. Going shopping or even changing up your look can help temporarily take your mind off of things. Her best tip? Do something you could never do when you were in your relationship. "If he never wanted you to get bangs, go out and get bangs!"
Stage Two: Getting Over It
Grow tough skin
"You've got to just have tough skin to get over it," Garcia says. A lot of people lose themselves in love and become weakened, sensitive and blindsided by the other person. After a break up, you have to learn to just stay strong and know that eventually, you will start to accept things for the way they are.
Find a hobby
After getting married to Prince, Garcia recalls not being as focused on her dancing and career. As soon as they divorced, she started back up on her dancing career and just released a new belly dancing video this week. "Find something you're passionate about, and focus on it. I started dancing again. And I would've stayed in my house a month straight, but I had to walk my dog, and I felt better having something to take care of."
Stage Three: Moving On
Forgive
At some point, you have to forgive your ex. "I saw Prince a few years ago and he stared at me like I had three heads or something because I was like 'you know, I forgive you, and I'm good, I really am.'" Oh yeah, and let's not forget to add that she is really good friends with his current wife.
Have faith
After dating Tommy Lee for two years following her divorce from Prince, Garcia says she's dated but hasn't found the one yet, but she has faith that someday she will. "I have faith that I'll find love again, and if I don't, I'm okay with that."
Don't forget to check out Mayte Garcia's pet rescue website maytesrescue.com, and stay tuned for cool moves from her new belly dancing video!
