Katy Perry is taking her fight over a Montecito mansion to court, and it’s clear she’s after more than just a financial win.
Speaking to a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday, the pop superstar emphasized that her goal is justice, not just cash.
When asked directly if she stood to gain anything from the ongoing litigation, Perry didn’t hesitate: “Yes… justice.
I stand to lose money if it does not work in my favor,” she said.
Testifying About Her $15 Million Purchase
The 40-year-old singer appeared via video in LA Superior Court on the fourth day of a trial against Carl Westcott, an 85-year-old veteran, from whom she bought the Montecito property five years ago.
Sporting a gray striped dress shirt and her hair down, Perry detailed her involvement in the $15 million purchase, explaining that she already owned three other Santa Barbara-area homes at the time and used her business manager, Bernie Gudvi, to handle the deal.
Dispute Over the Contract
Just days after signing, Westcott, who suffers from an incurable brain disorder, attempted to back out, claiming he was under the influence of painkillers when he agreed to the sale.
Perry, alongside then-fiancé Orlando Bloom, fought to keep the 9,000-square-foot estate, where they planned to raise their daughter Daisy, who celebrated her fifth birthday on the day Perry testified.
The couple eventually won a nearly four-year legal battle to secure the home, which sits in an area known for celebrity residents such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey, Ariana Grande, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Seeking Damages After the Win
Soon after claiming ownership, Perry and Bloom pursued $6 million from Westcott for damages, citing $2.5 million in repairs to the sprawling property and $3.5 million in lost rental income during the long legal dispute.
Perry’s legal team later reduced the claim to $1.3 million.
During her testimony, Perry acknowledged that by the time the title was transferred in 2024, the house was owned by an LLC controlled by Bloom.
She also confirmed her involvement in renovations, describing herself as “Orlando’s partner and advisor,” when questioned about who funded the $5 million repairs.
Financial Stakes and Commitment
Perry explained that her financial interest in the outcome of the case includes potential losses: legal fees, repair costs, and missed rental income.
When pressed about covering the remaining $6 million of the original purchase price, she said, “It could be a combination of Orlando and I. We are family for life.”
Controversy Over Westcott’s Health
Westcott’s attorney suggested that Perry knew of Westcott’s declining health, but objections from Perry’s lawyer, upheld by the judge, prevented the matter from being discussed in court.
Westcott’s family has criticized Perry for pursuing an ailing patriarch.
His son, Chart Westcott, described her actions as “entitled celebrity behavior” and accused her of lacking empathy.
Court Westcott, another son, called the prolonged litigation “devastating” for their father, who is bedridden and receiving hospice care for Huntington’s disease.
The Scope of the Property and Repair Claims
Perry’s team brought in over a dozen experts to inspect the mansion, citing $1.1 million in basement repairs from flooding and $225,000 for damage to a guest cottage/poolhouse from a fallen oak tree.
She is also seeking $3.5 million in lost rental income, despite originally intending to use the property as a family home.
Background on Carl Westcott
Westcott, a US Army 101st Airborne veteran, grew up poor in Mississippi before building a successful business career in Los Angeles, including ventures like 1-800-Flowers.
He purchased the Montecito property in May 2020 and agreed to sell it to Perry two months later.
Following a major back surgery and under the influence of opiates, he later argued that he lacked the capacity to sign the contract, a claim the court ultimately rejected.
Final Notes on the Battle
Despite breaking up with Bloom after nine years together, Perry continues to pursue her legal claims.
She has purchased another Montecito luxury home and currently rents the Westcott estate to actor Chris Pratt, his wife Katherine, and their three children.
The case now centers on damages rather than ownership, as the judge confirmed that the contract to sell the mansion must be respected.
