Patricia Kotero, professionally known as Apollonia, claims that two months before Prince’s overdose death, he was “adamant” she should keep using and performing under her name.
The protege, who co-starred in the 1984 film Purple Rain, has been in a 5-month legal battle with Princes’ Estate over its attempts to cancel her trademarks and claim ownership over the stage name.
In a new declaration filed in federal court, and obtained by VIBE, the suit intensified when she anchored her argument in a final, personal interaction with the late singer.
According to the filing, the conversation took place on Feb. 28, 2016, backstage after Prince’s Piano and a Microphone concert in Oakland. Apollonia says fellow Apollonia 6 member Susan Moonsie was present during the exchange.
“During our conversations that evening, Prince was adamant that we continue with our ventures such as musical performances, merchandising, and audiovisual projects, and that he wanted us both to use our Apollonia and Apollonia 6 trademarks in order to be able to earn a living, stay creative, and be financially secure in our later years,” Apollonia wrote.
According to the outlet, Apollonia said Prince never trademarked the name while he was alive, so the estate’s Paisley Park Enterprises was out of line when it assumed control of the Apollonia trademark last June and sought to cancel her other registrations and applications in a proceeding with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Kotero is now asking the court to reject the estate’s request that her lawsuit be dismissed.
“The truth is none of this litigation would have occurred if Prince were still alive,” she wrote. “He would be appalled by the unbecoming conduct of the estate and its efforts to override” what she describes as his clear wishes.
She continued, “I do not trust PPE, and I am afraid that if PPE is able to accomplish its goal of taking the Apollonia Marks from me, my identity will be lost, my rights will be diminished, my business will be interrupted, and I will be unable to use the Apollonia marks without repercussion from PPE.”
The lawsuit stems from Apollonia’s successful career in the late 80s. It began after she landed the role of a lifetime while auditioning for Prince for his first ever feature film. Winning the starring role opposite Prince in the blockbuster musical Purple Rain (1984), which received an Academy Award. Apollonia 6, also featured supporting singers Brenda Bennett and Susan Moonsie. She was allowed to appear under her own stage name, “Apollonia”, and also performed several solo songs, none of which would be released.