Princess Santiago‘s name began to make headlines after a paternity suit was filed against Paul Pierce, the NBA legend and champion with the Boston Celtics.
Princess Santiago claims that the former player is the father of the child she is currently pregnant with, so she requested a DNA test in court to confirm the relationship, a case that once again puts the legendary basketball player in the media spotlight.
Princess Santiago is a Filipino actress, model, and beauty queen who gained recognition after winning the Miss Multinational Philippines 2018 title
Princess Santiago is a Los Angeles-based event producer and director. Until now, her personal life has remained low-profile, out of the public eye, and away from the sports media, however, the filing of the lawsuit has turned her into a figure of media interest.
According to information from TMZ Sports, Santiago filed the lawsuit on January 12, requesting that Paul Pierce, 48, undergo genetic testing to determine if he is the father of her son, whom she identifies as King.
Since November 2025, Santiago has shared several images of her pregnancy on her Instagram account. In one of her most recent posts, she appears in a blue gown accompanied by the message: “From here on out, it’s all about growth.”
Paternity lawsuit against Paul Pierce
In statements to TMZ, Princess Santiago said that her decision to go the legal route is not about media exposure. “This is not about drama or attention, but about accountability and doing the right thing for my son,” she said.
“I filed paternity papers after several attempts to resolve this privately,” Santiago explained. “Paul Pierce is the father of my son, King, and I’m just asking for a paternity test so that the truth can be confirmed“.
According to his version, he tried to resolve the situation privately before filing the lawsuit, but when he was unsuccessful, he chose to go to court.
Paul Pierce, born on October 13, 1977, in Oakland, California, is a former professional basketball player who played 19 seasons in the NBA. He is best known for his time with the Boston Celtics, where he played from 1998 to 2013 and won an NBA championship in 2008
Paul Pierce is an NBA legend: he was selected in the 1998 Draft, played 19 seasons, won a championship in 2008 with the Celtics and was Finals MVP, as well as being a 10-time All-Star and a Hall of Famer.
Paul Pierce’s stance
So far, Paul Pierce has not made any public statements about the lawsuit. His lawyer was contacted by TMZ, but preferred not to comment.
Pierce has three children from his marriage to Julie Landrum, whom he was married to from 2010 until their divorce in 2023
The paternity suit comes at a complex time for the former basketball player as, in October 2025, Pierce was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He later pleaded not guilty and claimed on social media that he fell asleep at the wheel because he was “old and tired“
