On Tuesday, August 26, Katy Perry virtually ascended the witness stand, testifying remotely from a Los Angeles courtroom amidst an ongoing legal battle concerning her opulent Montecito mansion valued at $15 million. The 40-year-old "Firework" crooner, alongside her former partner Orlando Bloom, had acquired this stunning 1930s estate from the 85-year-old entrepreneur, Carl Westcott. Westcott now contends that his battle with Huntington's disease rendered him mentally incapacitated to finalize the deal.
During the proceeding, Andrew J. Thomas, Westcott's attorney, grilled Perry on her motivations behind pursuing the lawsuit, probing what she stood to gain from the litigation. Perry's response was succinct yet profound: "Justice." When further pressed about potential financial benefits, she conceded that she risked monetary losses should the verdict not sway in her favor. Thomas also delved into her financial stake in the case, prompting Perry to reveal, "It could result in lost money, legal expenses, and revenue from rental opportunities."
The mansion, a testament to opulence, spans 9,285 square feet, encompassing eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, an infinity pool, a jacuzzi, an outdoor fireplace, and a three-bedroom guesthouse with breathtaking ocean views. Perry and Bloom had originally envisioned this abode as a family haven for themselves and their daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom. The couple, who fatefully crossed paths at a Golden Globes afterparty in 2016, welcomed their bundle of joy in August 2020, after getting engaged the previous year. However, their engagement came to an end in June 2025.
Despite their separation, Perry described their bond as a "family for life" during her testimony, emphasizing her role as "partner and advisor" during the home's remodel. The trial, which commenced the previous week, is anticipated to stretch over six days, with Judge Joseph Lipner set to render the verdict without a jury's intervention. Perry's testimony unfolded on the fourth day of the proceedings, with her attorney declining to cross-examine her.
Seeking damages exceeding $5 million, Perry cited lost rental income and maintenance costs as the repercussions of the ongoing dispute.
