She was so inspired by Prince's work that she covered his hit, The Beautiful Ones, for her 1997 album Butterfly.

So Mariah Carey was understandably devastated to hear the tragic news of his death ahead of her concert in Paris on Thursday.

Stepping out in all black, the 46-year-old singer concealed her eyes beneath a pair of large sunglasses and kept her head down as she headed to her waiting car, before later paying an emotional tribute to her late friend at the AccorHotels Arena.

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Saying goodbye: Mariah Carey was devastated to hear the tragic news of her friend Prince's death on Thursday, paying an emotional tribute to her late friend during her gig at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris

Tribute: Upon hearing the news, Mariah took to social media to share a snap of the pair together as she wrote: 'Genius, legend, inspiration, friend. The world will miss you. I'll never get over it'

Prince died aged 57 at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota on Thursday after being found unresponsive in an elevator.

Speaking to her fans at the show, Mariah explained: 'I didn't know if I was able to come out here and put on a show and be festive but I said I'm in Paris and that's what Prince would want me to do. To get through it rather than just make everything bleak we need to take this and honour this.

'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 never got to meet him.

Emotional: Speaking to her fans at the show, Mariah explained: 'I didn't know if I was able to come out here and put on a show and be festive but I said I'm in Paris and that's what Prince would want me to do

She continued: 'I'm sure his music has touched every single person in here so let's have a moment of silence for Prince.'

The 46-year-old singer also dedicated her song 'One Sweet Day' - which features the line 'I know you're shining down on me from heaven' - to the 'Purple Rain' singer and fought back tears as she performed the track.

Introducing the song, she said: 'So it's a very sad day but we remember the life of somebody who will always be treasured.'

Speaking after the show, Mariah admitted to Entertainment Tonight that she will 'never get over' her friend's death, saying: 'It's such a loss that he's gone. I'll never get over it.'

Songbird: Mariah sang One Sweet Day in tribute to Prince as she took to the stage at the AccorHotels Arena

Tribute: Mariah took to the stage to pay tribute to her late friend despite her grief

Touching: Speaking about Prince 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 never got to meet him'

Mariah explained she and Prince had got to know each other 'later in life' and even collaborated on a song, though it never made it to release. 'He helped me through so many moments where I needed somebody to guide me through,' she said.

'[He was] just a true genius... There will never be anybody else like him.'

Ahead of the show, Mariah stepped out of the Plaza Athenee' Hotel looking visibly upset after taking to social media to share a snap of the pair together.

Captioning the image, she wrote: 'Genius, legend, inspiration, friend. The world will miss you. I'll never get over it.'

But the Without You hitmaker ensured the show would go on as she stepped out to honour her commitments on the European leg of her Sweet Sweet Fantasy tour.

Devastated: She covered Prince's hit, The Beautiful Ones, for her 1997 album Butterfly. So Mariah Carey was understandably devastated to hear the tragic news of his death ahead of her concert in Paris on Thursday

Sombre: Stepping out in all black, the 46-year-old singer concealed her eyes beneath a pair of large sunglasses and kept her head down as she headed to her waiting car

Saddened: Looking visibly upset, the star headed out following her sweet tribute to her friend. the Without You hitmaker ensured the show would go on as she prepared to perform on the European leg of her tour

Whoops: Clad in a skintight black dress, the mum-of-two had an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction as she headed out, suffering from a nip-slip in her low-cut gown

All about the accessories:She kept her jewellery simple for the outing, drawing attention to her dazzling diamond engagement ring from fiance James Packer

Clad in a skintight black dress, the mum-of-two had an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction as she headed out, suffering from a nip-slip in her low-cut gown.

Elongating her toned pins in a pair of towering laced black heels, she kept her jewellery simple for the outing, drawing attention to her dazzling diamond engagement ring from fiance James Packer.

Wearing her blonde locks loose and tousled, she styled her glossy tresses in a centre parting, framing her heart shaped face.

What a star: Mariah put on a stellar show for the Paris crowd after asking for a moment of silence for her friend

Sing it: The superstar belted out her huge catalogue of hits

Dressed to impress: Mariah looked incredible in her sparkly stage costumes, including a glitzy leotard

Putting everything in: The singer looked full of emotion at many points as she sang her heart out