Stevie Wonder filed a civil lawsuit in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County to evict a woman who has occupied one of his properties rent-free for nearly four decades, according to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone.
The defendant is Carmen Efferson, described in the file as the former fiancée of the singer, who moved into a three-bedroom house located in Hollywood Hills in July 1988, based on a verbal agreement that set the monthly rent at zero dollars.
Efferson confirmed to Billboard that she was engaged to Wonder when she moved to the property, although the couple never married. Despite the relationship ending, she remained in the property for decades while the musician married other people.
The conflict erupted this year when representatives of the artist attempted to access the property on three separate occasions in July to conduct an inspection required by the insurance company as a condition for renewing the property's policy. Efferson denied entry on all occasions.
In response to a letter sent by certified mail, Efferson directed a message to Wonder's lawyer, David Huff, in which he wrote: "Your racist, cold, and 'white man privilege' tone (here we go again). I feel harassed. Regarding your ORDERS to enter the place where I live, I do not give my consent. Do not attempt to make any kind of contact with me."
Huff clarified that the letter that prompted that reaction was not written by him, but by his partner Tempestt Tatum, who —he specified— "is not racist, cold, white, or a man."
In light of Efferson's repeated refusal, the musician's lawyers revoked the verbal agreement due to breach and issued an eviction notice with a deadline of August 27, 2026. The woman did not vacate the property by that deadline.
As a direct consequence of her refusal to allow the inspection, the residence has been left without insurance coverage since August 4. The lawsuit requests the judge to order the eviction of Efferson and for her to assume 600 dollars in damages, an amount related to the costs arising from the loss of that coverage.
Wonder's legal team did not immediately respond to media requests for comment. Efferson, for his part, has not issued any substantial public statement beyond his confirmation to Billboard about the past romantic involvement.
The case remains pending judicial resolution, and it will be a judge who determines whether Efferson must vacate the Hollywood Hills house that he has occupied free of charge for 38 years.
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