We blinked and Eva Marcille’s firstborn, daughter Marley Rae, up and turned 12. To mark the occasion, the former Top Model winner took her pre-teen on a trip to New York City.
One of the people who hosted them while in the Big Apple was Kandi Burruss. She’s currently living in NYC while starring in the Broadway play Juliet.
“New York owes us nothing,” Marcille wrote in an Instagram post alongside a carousel of images and video. “Marley Ray Sterling is a big 12 year old Princess. Thank you @Kandi for such an amazing experience at [sic] and Juliet. It was epic and priceless and absolutely an evening to remember.”
Because it takes a community to raise a child, Marcille went on to acknowledge everyone who’s contributed to Marley’s growth in the caption.
“When it comes to love for Marley Ray, the village runs deep. From TikTok dances in Times Square to surprise dinners to surprise friends from across the country Marley is loved and growing into such a beautiful flower. More pictures and videos to come. My first born, mommy’s angel happy birthday.”
The 12-year-old’s biological father, Kevin McCall, also showed her some love on her birthday. Marcille has full custody of Marley, raising him with her ex-husband, Michael Sterling, with whom she recently reconciled. McCall hasn’t seen the pre-teen in over a decade.
“Happy 12 Birthday My Angel! I’m just making sure NOTHING stops me from meeting you again one day,” he wrote. “I’m your #1 Fan you and your sister have made my life such an incredible experience…everything that’s weak in me is dying cuz I’m obsessed with being a Father. I tried to forget the pain I feel during your bday but I had nightmares for two days straight trying to Block out the pain. But seeing your post today? It’s like… a reminder from God- the better days are ahead. This is just temporary! You made my day Girl! Wow look at my Twin she 12 today haha Marley Rae McCall #MarleySterling #MarleyMcCall #Missinyou on all platforms now!!!”
The artist and model dated briefly and had Marley in February 2015. Their courtship fell apart shortly after, and McCall was arrested in 2019 for domestic violence with another woman. Around that time, Marcille claimed that she was also abused by the songwriter.
When she spoke to ESSENCE a few years ago, Marcille made it known that she has no contact with McCall.
“We don’t have a relationship,” she said at the time. “He’s blocked on all my social media. I have full custody of my daughter and her dad is Michael Sterling, so he is a blast from the past and a memory.”
In 2018, the former RHOA cast member married Sterling, who adopted Marley two years later and gave her his last name. They also have two children together, sons Michael Jr. and Maverick. Although Marcille and Sterling divorced in 2023, they decided to spin the block and have since confirmed they’re back together. Marcille described their relationship as a “forever thing” on social media back in September.