Stevie Wonder sues woman who has been living rent-free on his property for 38 years

Singer Stevie Wonder has initiated legal action to recover a property in Los Angeles that, according to the lawsuit, has been occupied for 38 years without rent being paid. The artist filed a civil lawsuit against Carmen Efferson, who was allegedly his fiancée, to request that she vacate the three-bedroom home located in Hollywood Hills.

The lawsuit was filed on a Thursday in a Los Angeles superior court. According to court documents cited by Rolling Stone, Efferson has resided in the property since 1988, when both allegedly agreed verbally that she could live there without paying rent.

However, the relationship between the parties reportedly deteriorated after the singer’s representatives attempted to enter the property to conduct an inspection related to the renewal of the property’s insurance.

Stevie Wonder and the dispute

According to court documents, Stevie Wonder‘s team attempted to access the property on three occasions during July to conduct the required inspection, but Efferson refused to allow entry.

The woman responded to the artist’s lawyers’ communications via emails in which she questioned the tone of the requests and claimed to feel harassed.

In one of the messages addressed to lawyer David Huff, she wrote: “Your racist and ruthless tone, typical of a ‘white male privilege’ —you again—, makes me feel harassed.”

In the same email, Efferson refused to allow the singer’s representatives to enter the property.

“I do not consent to your ORDERS to enter the place where I live. Do not attempt to contact me,” he/she expressed.

Huff replied that he had not drafted the letter that sparked the exchange. As he explained, the communication had been sent by his partner, Tempestt Tatum, whom he described as someone who was not racist, insensitive, white, or a man.

The disagreements continued through other messages. Subsequently, Wonder’s lawyers notified Efferson that the verbal agreement allowing her to remain in the dwelling had been revoked for breach of contract, according to the arguments set forth in the lawsuit.

Stevie Wonder requests eviction

As part of the procedure, Stevie Wonder‘s legal team informed Efferson that she had to vacate the property before August 27, 2026. However, according to the lawsuit, the woman remained on the premises after the deadline had passed.

Faced with this situation, the singer went to court to request an order that would allow him to regain possession of the property and put an end to the agreement that, according to his version, was maintained for almost four decades.

In addition to the eviction, the artist is claiming compensation of 600 dollars, an amount that, according to the documentation submitted, corresponds to the sum owed for the expired renewal of the property insurance.

The singer’s legal team also requests the recognition of reasonable expenses derived from the judicial process.