V. Stiviano chats up reporters gathered outside her home
The woman who recorded Clippers owner Donald Sterling making comments that led to a scandal continued to avoid addressing the controversy to reporters Thursday and instead engaged reporters and photographers staked outside her house with more quizzical responses.
When KTLA’s Carolyn Costello asked V. Stiviano if she knew Sterling was suffering from prostate cancer, Stiviano – donning a visor that has shielded her face from photographers since the story broke – complimented the reporter’s fashion.
“I love your sandals, where are they from?” Stiviano replied, trailed by a throng of reporters, photographers, cameramen and a friend wearing a hat with “VSTIVIANO” emblazoned across it.
The group peppered her with questions as she exited the passenger side of a car and walked into her home.
Costello asked why she was wearing a visor and Stiviano said “it’s my job.”
Then another reporter asked her if she’d met any other women linked to Sterling.
“Honestly guys, from the bottom of my heart, I wanna wish everyone a very good night. I think it’s important that we have a safe night, no drinking or driving,” she replied. “Guys, let’s be honest and sweet and good people. In the world we need good people, OK?”
When asked if she got along with Donald Sterling’s wife, Shelly, who is suing Stiviano to reclaim gifts she claims were given to Stiviano from her husband, Stiviano said “I love Mrs. Sterling.”
The interaction Thursday was just one of several bizarre encounters Stiviano has had with reporters in recent days.
On Tuesday, with paparazzi tracking her every move, Stiviano roller-skated in her driveway declaring later in the day that she wanted to be president.
“One day, I will become president of the United States of America and I will change the legislation and laws,” Stiviano said. “Modern day history. Civil rights movement.”
KABC-TV posted video of Stiviano’s comments.
Stiviano gave copies of the recording, which led NBA officials to conclude Sterling had made incendiary racial comments, to a handful of friends for “safekeeping” and believes one of them sold the tape, her attorney said Thursday.
“One of those friends apparently wanted to make money and sold it to TMZ,” said Calabasas lawyer Mac Nehoray.
After determining that Sterling was the man in the recording, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver this week imposed a lifetime ban from the league, along with a $2.5 million fine.
On the tape, Sterling chastises Stiviano for associating publicly with African Americans and tells her not to bring them to Clippers games.
Twitter: @josephserna
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