Prince's New Royal Subject

The Purple One's new favorite? Emerging singer Janelle Monáe

It was better late than never for Prince.

The Purple One may have showed up at emerging singer Janelle Monáe's show last night at L.A.'s Viper Room, but he didn't arrive until an hour after she was done.

So instead of coming into the club, Prince held court in his car. Janelle joined him for a little chitchat in the backseat.

Slow down with your dirty assumptions. I've been assured it's completely platonic between the two...

Prince appears to have taken a shine to the young, funky, Atlanta-based singer and recently reached out to her to offer career advice, according to a source.

I'm told on Monday night a bunch of folks headed to Prince's house after Monáe's show with Raphael Saadiq at the Roxy. The little get-together also included one of Prince's signature living-room jam sessions.

Among those who were seen at Monáe's two club gigs this week were Sean "Diddy" Combs (he signed her to his Bad Boy Records), Eddie Murphy, and über-hitmaker Ne-Yo.

Monáe's been on a nonstop tour in support of her album, Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition).