Pop sensation Katy Perry has been labeled as "entitled" and "unforgivable" by the kin of an 85-year-old war veteran she evicted from his $15 million Montecito, California, mansion—whom she is now suing for a staggering $6 million in damages for alleged "lost rental value" and property "destruction."
In 2020, the 40-year-old songstress found herself entangled in a fierce real estate dispute with Carl Westcott. Perry had struck a deal to purchase Westcott's Montecito estate for $15 million, but the entrepreneur unexpectedly backed out mere days later, claiming he had been influenced by painkillers during the negotiation.
Westcott's legal team contended in court documents that his advanced age, fragile condition due to back problems and recent surgery, coupled with his daily opiate intake, had rendered him mentally incompetent at the time of the agreement. Conversely, Perry's representatives argued that Westcott, a business tycoon and the founder of 1-800-Flowers, was of sound mind when he agreed to the sale and only wanted to rescind the deal because he couldn't find another Montecito property that suited his preferences or budget.
Their prolonged legal battle finally came to an end in December 2023, when a judge sided with Perry and upheld the original sale contract, which was brokered by her business manager, Bernie Gudvi. Perry officially took possession of the grand, 1930s-era mansion spanning 9,285 square feet in May 2024. Nestled among the Santa Ynez foothills, the luxurious compound boasts eight bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, a tennis court, two guesthouses, and a swimming pool.
Despite the court's ruling that solidified her ownership, Perry is now seeking up to $6 million in damages from Westcott—a move that has incensed his family, who accuse her of possessing "zero empathy."
In an interview with The Sun, Westcott's son, Chart, 39, lambasted Perry's "entitled celebrity behavior," questioning why someone of her wealth and status would insist on pursuing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against a man who has been "bedridden for over 18 months."
"If an old man apologizes and admits he made a mistake about the house sale, and she's a wealthy pop star who can buy any house in the world, you'd expect her to show some leniency and let the old man be," he said. "It's an example of entitled celebrity behavior. She lacks a sense of fair play, empathy—quite the opposite. The worse my father's condition gets, the harsher they are in court. It's unfortunate to witness the unethical conduct of her lawyers."
He further alleged that her decision could only be attributed to "greed" and slammed Perry and her husband, Orlando Bloom, as "unforgivable."
Perry has so far paid $9 million of the $15 million property price and is seeking a $6 million reduction due to various interior and exterior damages, repairs, and lost rental income since the real estate deal. She reportedly hired a team of 25 experts to scrutinize the home for flaws.
Westcott's family disputes Perry's claims, and she will now have to testify in person in Los Angeles. A subpoena motion has also been filed to compel Bloom to appear in court during the trial. Perry's manager has accused the family of "harassing Bloom," claiming they are trying to turn the trial into a "media circus" by requesting the actor's court appearance.
Westcott had owned the home for just a few months when he agreed to sell it to Perry's manager, having acquired it in May 2020 for $11.25 million. According to the Wall Street Journal, Perry outbid Maria Shriver to secure the mansion, but it remains unclear whether she intended to use it as her primary residence, where she resides with her daughter, Daisy Dove, whom she shares with Bloom.
After Westcott tried to renege on the deal, Perry purchased another Montecito home for $14.2 million, which she still owns.
