More than 40 years ago, Apollonia Kotero<\/strong> met Prince<\/strong> when she auditioned to play his love interest in 1984\u2019s Purple Rain<\/em>. She landed the part, and he named the character in the semi-autobiographical musical film after her.<\/p>\n Now the actress, whose full name is Patricia Apollonia Kotero, is suing the late singer\u2019s estate, Paisley Park Enterprises, alleging that they are \u201cattempting to steal\u201d her name, according to court documents obtained by People<\/a><\/em> and the Daily Mail<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n Kotero, 66, argues that the estate has tried to \u201cclaim ownership\u201d of her name and \u201ccancel\u201d her own trademark applications.<\/p>\n If they succeed, the documents say, \u201cit is highly likely Prince\u2019s estate will demand Apollonia cease using her name and, if not, bring a trademark infringement action against her.\u201d<\/p>\n The estate\u2019s actions contradict what Prince \u2014 who died<\/a> of an accidental fentanyl overdose at 57 in 2016 \u2014 would have wanted, according to her lawyer, Daniel Cislo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cPrince himself consented to and encouraged Apollonia in her professional endeavors as \u2018Apollonia,\u2019\u2019 Cislo told the court. \u201cHe wanted her to be successful as Apollonia.\u201d<\/p>\n Prince left no will, so his estate<\/a> was split between his siblings and the publishing company Primary Wave.<\/p>\n Contrary to reports, Apollonia has said they never dated, but remained good friends for years.<\/p>\n She last saw him at a party weeks before his death. \u201cWhen we said goodbye, I told him I loved him, and he told me, \u2018I love you too,\u2019\u201d she told People<\/em><\/a> in 2022.<\/p>\n His legacy will always be with her, she added. \u201cI go to a restaurant and Purple Rain<\/em> comes on or I get in my car and Take Me with U<\/em>\u00a0comes on. No matter how much time goes by, he\u2019s everywhere. I see him in everything.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/staging.nationalenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Featured-13-Purple-Rain.jpeg\")