The “V” stands for “Vivian”, if some sources are to be believed. But she was actually born Maria Vanessa Perez and had her name legally changed to “V. Stiviano.” Everyone calls her simply “V”, as though she were wearing a Guy Fawkes mask instead of an over-sized visor, her accessory of choice when out around the paparazzi.
When Maria Vanessa Perez filed to have her name changed, she said it was because she was, “Born from a rape case and having yet been fully accepted because of my race.”
In the now-infamous taped conversation with Donald Sterling, she says that she is a mix of Mexican and black descent.
But everyone also seems to know next to nothing about this Stiviano character. But Donald Sterlings estranged wife will tell you that this “V. Stiviano” is after old men’s money, plain and simple.
She filed a lawsuit against Stiviano to try to recover some of the lavish gifts that Sterling had given her over their tryst together. These gifts total about $2.5 million, including a duplex that cost nearly $1.8 million.
In that case Rochelle Sterling accused Stiviano of engaging “in conduct designed to target, befriend, seduce, and then entice, cajole, borrow from, cheat and/or receive as gifts transfers of wealth from wealthy older men whom she targets for such purpose.”
Rochelle Sterling says Stiviano has received a Ferrari, two Bentleys and a Range Rover from her husband, totaling over $500,000.
Rochelle Sterling says the money and property given to Stiviano was actually half hers, and she wants it back.
Stiviano’s response to the suit laughs off the idea that she could control Sterling. It ridicules the notion that the “feminine wiles of Ms. Stiviano overpowered the iron will of Donald T. Sterling, who is well known as one of the most shrewd businessmen in the world.”
Throughout the court documents, Stiviano never admits to being in a relationship with Sterling himself. But in the now widely-heard audio, she says to Sterling, “And you’re in love with me. And I’m black and Mexican. Whether you like it or not.”
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