Eva Marcille has said before that her husband Michael Sterling is the only father her daughter has ever known, and now the model has announced she’s made a big change to cement that relationship.
During her “Eva’s Corner” segment on the “Rickey Smiley Morning Show” Monday, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star explained why she decided to give 4-year-old Marley Rae Sterling’s last name, changing it from than that of the child’s singer dad Kevin McCall’s.
“Marley was born in 2014 and I gave her her biological father’s name,” Marcille explains. “After two months, [Kevin and I] became estranged and I raised her as a single mom. And then, the good Lord saw it fit for me to meet an amazing man, Michael Sterling, who has become my husband and the father of my later children.
“Long story short, we all have the name Sterling, and Marley’s the only one who has her biological father’s name,” the star, who is pregnant with her second baby with Sterling, continues. “So, I saw it necessary and Mike saw it necessary to change her name. And so we’ve been going through the process, which I must say is not an easy process and is not for the faint of heart.”
Marcille said on Sunday, a judge granted the name change so her daughter is now legally Marley Rae Sterling. As such, the toddler’s official documents — including her birth certificate and social security card — will be changed to reflect that.
“For my family it’s amazing,” Marcille continues. “I never wanted her to feel like odd man out. … She started our family, and since she’s the head as far as the kids are concerned, I felt it necessary that she take the same name that we have.”
Considering McCall later appeared to publicly disown Marley in 2017 after seeing his daughter’s bond with Sterling, Marcille may have more reasoning behind making the change. However, many online don’t agree with the choice the soon-to-be mother of three made.
“That’s stupid and disrespectful!”
“B—h BYE!!! It will all backfire eventually. 🤡”
“That’s not right your husband is not her father leave her with her father’s last name … Regardless what transpired between both her parents..”
“So what happens if u and mike don’t work out!? Idk that’s stupid as shit! Women always do bulls–t out of anger.”
However, some did feel the decision wasn’t wrong.
“As she should . That’s beautiful. Congratulations to them ❤️”
“I agree…it makes sense! As lomg as the father agrees.”
As for how McCall may feel about the change, he indicated he’s none too pleased by retweeting a remark August 19 that said, “Eva Marcelle got Kevin McCall f–ked up.”
Watch the full “Eva’s Corner” segment below.
