With her chiseled jaw, brown eyes and block fringe it would be easy to mistake Zendaya for a young Mayte Garcia.

So, it’s perhaps no surprise that Prince’s ex-wife has revealed she would like the Euphoria actress to portray her in the upcoming movie adaptation of her 2017 memoir, The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince.

The dancer and actress, 50, married the music icon on Valentine’s Day 1996 – when she was just 22 and he was 37 – before the couple parted ways in 1999.

Now, as the world prepares to watch her story on the big screen, Mayte exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that she feels Zendaya, 27, could capture her ‘essence’ – just weeks after she considered Selena Gomez for the job.

Prince’s ex-wife, Mayte Garcia, has revealed that she would like to see Zendaya, pictured right, portray her in the upcoming movie adaptation of her memoir

The dancer, 50, married the late music icon on Valentine’s Day 1996 – when she was just 22 and he was 37 – with the couple parting ways after three years – pictured in June 1999

‘I previously mentioned Selena Gomez as an option,’ she said. ‘But it’s so funny because so many people sent me a picture of Zendaya with the bangs at Paris Fashion Week. I didn’t think about it, but now I think she could do it.

‘But it could also be someone, who is no name and is amazingly talented… I want someone that can capture my essence, I really hope it’s about the essence when they do cast.’

Mayte discussed possible casting last week, revealing she had her eyes on former Disney star Gomez, 31, who recently landed the role of Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic.

‘At first, when people started talking to me about [casting], in my mind I thought Selena Gomez,’ she told the Allison Interviews podcast.

‘She’s got a friendliness and innocence to her that I relate to. I just saw her playing me. I think she could do it. … But I’ve also had people send me some other people and I think, “Wow, she looks like me, but can she have that essence of whatever I have?” I think we will find it.’

If cast, the film would mark Zendaya’s first biopic having starred in blockbusters including Dune and Spider-Man.

When it comes to casting her ex, Mayte explained that she would prefer if a less well-known actor landed the role – stating that it would give them the chance to truly embody the beloved musician for the project.

Mayte, who choreographed routines for Britney Spears’ 2001 song I’m A Slave 4 U, is keen to help the chosen cast with their dance moves.

‘I would love to teach choreography to whoever does get cast to play me,’ she admitted. ‘Though it would be so weird to be sitting and watching them emulate me.’

Mayte exclusively told DailyMail.com that she could envision Euphoria star Zendaya, 27, capturing her ‘essence’ for the coveted role

The world will soon see her story played out on the big screen in the film adaptation of her 2017 book, The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince – pictured in December 1995

Mayte previously suggested Selena Gomez, 31, for the role owing to her ‘friendliness and innocence’

The charity director continued: ‘I have been teaching for many years and I love it. I’m excited because whoever gets the part or not, I’m not worried about that aspect because I’ll get them to move and dance.’

Mayte’s connection with Prince started in 1990 when her mother submitted a video to Prince’s team which showed her then 16-year-old daughter’s moves. Soon after she was hired to be a part of his Diamonds and Pearls Tour.

Aged 18, she became the focus of his 1992 album – whose title was an unpronounceable symbol before later becoming known as Love Symbol.

Prince also wrote his 1995 hit song The Most Beautiful Girl in the World about Garcia.

The two were married for three years, during which they tragically lost a child just days after he was born.

The couple’s son Amiir – which means Prince in Arabic – died of the rare congenital disease, Pfeiffer syndrome, in October 1996.

The disorder prevents the head from growing properly due to the premature fusion of certain skull bones.

Mayte added that she would love the chance to teach choreography to whichever actress eventually lands the role for the movie

Mayte and Prince’s son Amiir died of the rare congenital disease , Pfeiffer syndrome, in October 1996 – pictured in July of the same year

Prince spiraled into a depression after his son’s death, and cancelled two of his tour stops in December 1996.

The pair split just a few years later and in 1999 the couple’s marriage was annulled on their third wedding anniversary.

Mayte admitted that watching the reenactment of the loss of their son on screen will be incredibly hard.

She explained: ‘It will be hard to watch the scenes about losing our son, even writing that part was one of those that was hard for me. It kind of organically came because I’m already thinking, “When am I going to do it?”

‘So I’m hoping that’s gonna be done well. That’s going be hard to watch but it has to be done with full respect.’

She continued: ‘Thankfully, the team want me involved and they want my advice. There’s moment’s where I’m like, “Oh God” but I’m releasing it… same as I had to do with the book.

Mayte explained that she would prefer if a less famous actor landed the role of her ex-husband – pictured in April 2017

Mayte continues to honor and maintain the charitable legacy of her former husband with their charity, Live 4 Love

‘When I wrote it and got it back in completion, I felt a lot of fear. But you’ve got to let it go, and long as it’s coming from an honest place and a loving place, it will be okay. I have a feeling that that’s what’s gonna happen with the movie.’

She previously revealed the death of their child, along with a subsequent miscarriage, tore the couple’s marriage apart.

Mayte continues to honor her late son while working to maintain the charitable legacy of her former husband.

After the then-couple established Love 4 One Another (L4OA) Charities back on November 1996, they worked quietly on the mission to assist the hungry, underprivileged children, the homeless and those with disabilities or special needs.

She explained: ‘When Prince passed. I was notified that he left me on as one of the board members. So we researched and took our time and asked around what he did.

‘I found out so many people that he helped so I’m actually working on a documentary about that because he was so so generous. It’s really heartwarming to realize how much he did. He just didn’t want the credit, he did it all anonymously.’

The dancer famously took to the stage in 2016 to perform at a Prince tribute in Minnesota, shortly after his death (pictured)

When Prince died in 2016, Mayte helped to rename and reclassify the venture from a private foundation to a public charity, effective retroactive to January 2017.

Now known as Live 4 Love Charities, the dancer is working to make sure that music flows into the world from the next generation of great artists.

Through the LIVE4MUSIC music education program, young music lovers between the ages of seven to 17 can send in submissions to join the program which will see them receive invaluable online lessons from prolific and acclaimed musicians working in the industry.

Those keen to take part in the free program, will need to submit a short video/recording demonstration of their current skill level by March 1, 2024. All submissions will be considered.

Mayte stated: ‘Our mission is to help people up, and out. I hope people apply because you never know what would happen. The worst thing that can happen is someone says no.

‘I love hearing the kids play on stage and seeing them progress. It is so rewarding. My goal is to set something up in every city one day.’