Even music legends occasionally find themselves entangled in the less glamorous aspects of property ownership. This week, Stevie Wonder, known legally as Stevland Morris, initiated legal action in Los Angeles County Superior Court to evict Carmen Efferson from his Studio City home, where she has reportedly resided without paying rent since July 1988.
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, centers on an alleged oral agreement from 1988 that permitted Efferson to occupy the Oak Glen Drive property rent-free. Tensions escalated this summer when representatives for Wonder, 76, attempted to gain access to the residence multiple times in July to update and retain property insurance, according to the legal complaint.
An attorney for Wonder notified Efferson on July 23 of an upcoming property inspection. Her response, detailed in emails included in the complaint, was direct. On July 25, Efferson emailed another attorney for Wonder, reportedly taking issue with a "rascist [sic] coldblooded ‘white male privilege’ tone" and asserting, "Regarding your ORDERS of entering into the place where I am living, I do not consent." She also stated she felt harassed.
Two days later, on July 27, an attorney for Wonder responded, clarifying that the lawyer who issued the inspection notice was "neither racist, coldblooded, white or male." Efferson, in a separate email on the same day, threatened to involve law enforcement if further attempts were made to enter the property. The following day, attorneys informed Efferson she had 30 days to vacate the premises, setting an eviction date for August 27.
Despite the notice, Efferson allegedly remained in the home. On October 6, Wonder’s lawyers issued a three-day notice for her to leave, citing a violation of the oral agreement. They claimed Efferson had been given "three additional opportunities to permit entry" for an inspection, but failed to respond to these requests.
According to the complaint, Wonder's property insurance policy was canceled due to Efferson's alleged refusal to allow access. His attorneys noted that the owner has been "prejudiced by the cancellation of the property insurance policy and is now at substantial risk of economic loss by virtue of your actions to prevent the protection and preservation of the Premises." The notice also warned that Wonder would file a complaint if access continued to be denied.
While Wonder's legal representatives have not commented on the nature of the relationship, TMZ previously reported that Efferson was once betrothed to the Grammy-winning musician. Wonder has been married to Tomeeka Bracy since 2017. Efferson did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the original reporting.
Wonder is seeking forfeiture of the lease agreement, along with legal fees and statutory damages up to $600. The case highlights the complicated, and sometimes public, personal entanglements that can arise even in the quiet residential pockets of Studio City.