Madonna, Prince ‘We Are the World’ snub in 1985 explained by documentary director

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The musical efficiency of “We Are the World” on Jan. 28, 1985, was one in all the greatest nights in music historical past – and now its being retold.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, “The Greatest Night in Pop” documentary director, Bao Nguyen, explained the choice course of that led to Madonna and Prince being disregarded of the legendary musical efficiency. 

“The film explains it really well,” Nguyen started. “[Producer] Ken Kragen and his staff, [producer] Harriet Sternberg – Harriet wanted Madonna. Ken didn’t want Madonna because he thought that Cyndi [Lauper] sort of served the purpose of being the female pop icon at that time, and it was as simple as that. They wanted voices that really were distinct from each other and that represented their genre.” 

Madonna, Prince and Bao Nguyen

Madonna and Prince’s snub from the 1985 “We Are the World” efficiency is explained by documentary director Bao Nguyen. (Getty Images)

The 1985 efficiency of “We Are The World” – written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie – was produced by U.S.A for Africa to lift consciousness and funds for a worldwide starvation aid program. 

MADONNA FANS FURIOUS AFTER SHE STARTS CONCERT LATE

Bao instructed Fox News Digital that this course of led to Kenny Rogers’ position in the efficiency and Lionel Richie representing the pop style. 

“You have a generational icon like Ray Charles, like everyone had a distinct voice,” Nguyen continued. “I think Ken, just from what I’ve learned in researching, is that at the end of the day, [he thought] ‘I can just pick Cyndi over Madonna.’”

As far as Prince being snubbed from the legendary night time – which aired March 7, 1985 – Nguyen explained that he had conversations with Sheila E., an in depth buddy of Prince at the time, who explained she could not persuade Prince to be part of the efficiency.

“He wouldn’t work well in that room. That’s basically what happened, and it was just the environment that he wouldn’t feel comfortable in,” Bao explained.

WATCH: Bao Nguyen explains why Madonna and Prince had been snubbed from the 1985 ‘We Are the World’ efficiency

Nguyen explained that he was shocked by rhe position of Sheila Escovedo – generally known as Shelia E. – in the manufacturing and the way she felt “used” main as much as the musical efficiency.

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“I think for me, the most, maybe not the wildest thing, but like, an eye-opening thing was definitely Sheila E’s role and trying to get friends to be part of it,” he started. 

WATCH: Bao Nguyen shares ‘wildest’ second filming ‘We Are the World’ documentary

“As she says in the film, feeling that she was being used to get Prince.” 

Nguyen continued, “Again, to Lionel’s credit, he had no comments about that scene. Again, it’s an honest story and that’s Sheila E.’s perspective.” 

Prince performing

Prince didn’t take part in the “We Are the World” efficiency in 1985. (Brian Rasic/Getty Images)

“So I thought that was a very vulnerable moment for her. She said she had never spoken about that moment on camera, and so she really opened up to us in a way that it broke my heart when she told me that story,” he stated.

Sheila E.

Sheila E., seen performing in 1985, revealed that she felt “used” in the “We Are the World” efficiency. (Steve Campbell/Houston Chronicle)

“But she has no regrets about being part of the songs. She knows, like, how meaningful it is to her and her legacy,” Nguyen stated of Sheila E.

WATCH: Bao Nguyen says Lionel Richie was capable of inform the ‘We Are the World’ story from ‘starting to finish’

Nguyen hopes musicians of at this time may do their very own “We Are the World” sort of musical efficiency, however questions if there are “icons” these days like there have been almost 40 years in the past.

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“I think ‘We Are the World’ was such an amazing feat, an impossible feat as we see in the film,” Nguyen stated. “These are like, you know, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross. I don’t know if we have the same type of icons nowadays.”

Autographed sheet music for the charity single 'We Are the World'

Autographed sheet music for the charity single “We Are the World” in January 1985. (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)

Bao additionally identified social media that’s current in at this time’s era.

“Everyone is on social media, everyone has their managers and agents and to, like, make it a truly present moment, like the way it was in 1985, I think that’s hard,” he started. “To try to get people in a room together is difficult as well.”

WATCH: ‘We Are the World’ director Bao Nguyen reveals the most stunning second filming the documentary

Nguyen hopes the newly launched “The Greatest Night in Pop” documentary serves as an “inspiration” for the youthful era of musicians.

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“I hope this film serves as an inspiration to this generation, a younger generation that if there’s a will, there’s a way,” he started. 

“The Greatest Night in Pop” debuts on Netflix on Jan. 29.

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