Woman at Center of Sterling Controversy Tells All, Opens Up About Her Relationship With Clippers Owner

The woman at the center of the Donald Sterling controversy said she is not sure if the Los Angeles Clippers owner will issue an apology for his remarks, adding that she loves the man as a father figure.

In an exclusive interview with ABC's Barbara Walters, V. Stiviano provided a glimpse into Sterling's current state of mind. The Clippers owner — who at the last minute backed out of his interview with Walters — was banned from the NBA for life this week after racist comments he made toward Stiviano were leaked by her to the media.

“I think he’s highly more traumatized and hurt by the things that he said himself,” she added. “I think he can’t even believe or understand sometimes the thing he says, and I think he’s hurt by it. He’s hurting right now.”

Stiviano added that she has told Sterling, who is reportedly battling cancer, to apologize for the remarks, but said that "God only knows" whether he will.

When asked by Walters about her relationship with the billionaire, Stiviano said she loves him — but only as a father figure.

"I'm Mr. Sterling's everything. I'm his confidante, his best friend — his silly rabbit," she said.

[sharequote align="center"]"I'm Mr. Sterling's everything. I'm his confidante, his best friend — his silly rabbit."[/sharequote]

"I love him," she added, noting that she isn't, however, in love with him.

"I love him like — just like a father figure," Stiviano clarified.

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