Who is Princess Santiago? LA based event director puts NBA legend Paul Pierce under spotlight with shocking paternity claim

Event director Princess Santiago has filed a paternity lawsuit against retired NBA player Paul Pierce. Santiago filed the lawsuit on January 12, claiming that the 48-year-old former Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics player might be the biological father of her unborn child.According to the lawsuit, which TMZ Sports was able to obtain, Pierce is required to perform a DNA test in order to determine whether the basketball player is the child's biological father. The source has a copy of the lawsuit that Santiago, an event director in Los Angeles, filed. Following the filing of a paternity suit against NBA icon and Boston Celtics champion Paul Pierce, Princess Santiago's name started to make headlines. Santiago is requesting a DNA test to support her allegations that Pierce is the father of her unborn kid. On social media, Santiago has been sharing details about her pregnancy experience. The event manager posted a video of a pool inside her "new home" on Instagram in November 2025. The post’s caption read: "New Home making sure my son has the BEST. My blessing."In another post, the soon-to-be mother stood under some Christmas decorations and the caption read: "My KING awaits. 'Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord.' Psalm 127:3."A third post read: "Last year was tough in so many ways. Grateful, thankful blessed God gave me a Son. My King Jeremiah 29:11."Santiago stated in a statement to TMZ Sports that she has made "multiple" attempts to "resolve" the issue "privately" and that she does not wish to file for paternity papers. The renowned basketball player is once again in the public eye as a result of Santiago's allegation. Santiago said in a statement: "I filed for paternity papers after multiple attempts to resolve this privately.. Paul Pierce is the father of my son, King, and I am simply asking for a paternity test so the truth can be confirmed."She added: "This isn’t about drama or attention — it’s about accountability and doing what’s right for my child.. Paul Pierce is the father of my son, King, and I am simply asking for a paternity test so the truth can be confirmed."This isn’t the first time Pierce made the headlines. He was detained on suspicion of DUI in October 2024, and a few weeks later, authorities charged him after claiming his blood alcohol content was higher than permitted. At approximately 10:40 p.m., California Highway Patrol officers arrived at the scene where multiple vehicles collided. About an hour later, they noticed a Range Rover SUV stopped in the road south of the collision when they reopened the lanes. According to the press release, after observing Pierce dozing off at the wheel and "noticing signs of alcohol impairment," officers opened a DUI investigation.The Los Angeles city attorney examined the misdemeanor accusation of driving while intoxicated that led to his arrest. Pierce, who entered a not guilty plea in the case, also seemed to refute claims that he had been drinking and driving at the time. He further stated on Threads that it was because he was "old" and "tired" and that he was sitting in traffic. After that, he didn’t say anything else regarding the same.