She’s a “California Gurl,” but her “Teenage Dream” of landing this Montecito mansion is turning into a nightmare.
Katy Perry, 38, and her fiancé Orlando Bloom, 46, have been entangled in a lawsuit for the past three years, with 83-year-old dying war veteran Carl Westcott, over a spacious mansion in Montecito, California they purchased for $14.2 million in 2021.
The property was originally built in 1934 by Edwards and Plunkett, according to Variety. It was later renovated by Lutah Maria Riggs, the first woman named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
According to court documents obtained by The Post, Westcott claims that the July 14, 2020 contract for the sale of his home was done when he “lacked the mental capacity to understand the nature and probable consequences of the contract.”
The Post has reached out to reps for Westcott, Bloom and Perry.
Here’s everything you need to know about this messy court battle, the estate in question and a timeline of the tumultuous back and forth between the Hollywood couple and Westcott, the founder of 1-800-Flowers.
The 8.9 acre estate, located at 1569 E. Valley Rd. boasts a mediterranean-style four-bedroom main house, a detached four-car garage underneath a guesthouse and a pool house.
“The main house still retains much of its original aesthetics, like a white stucco exterior and a red-tiled roof framed by tall, swaying palm trees,” according to Architectural Digest. “A rotunda entryway gives way to a picturesque living room featuring a whole wall of French doors that open out onto a shaded brick dining terrace. Sandy-colored hardwood floors and a wood-beamed ceiling give the space a warm feel.”
The 9,285-square-foot home, which sits on roughly 2.5 acres, features scenic views including a patio that overlooks the entire property and the Pacific Ocean.
“The kitchen boasts a unique green patterned wallpaper that covers not only all four walls, but the ceiling as well,” AD explains of the property’s unique interior. “The cabinets, painted a rustic sea green, add a fun edge to the room, which opens onto a breakfast nook and a separate butler’s pantry. The main suite occupies more than half of the upper level, boasting a whole host of amenities, including a stately wood-burning fireplace, two bathrooms, a large custom-fitted dressing room, and a separate walk-in closet. The subterranean level houses a wood-paneled private office and a conference room. Outdoors, the estate continues to dazzle, with a full-size tennis court, grassy lawns, plenty of formal gardens, and multiple fountains dotting the property.”
2015
Westcott is diagnosed with a genetic brain disorder known as Huntington’s Disease.
May 2020
Westcott, who served in the US Army as a 101st Airborne service member, purchases the home for $11.25 million as his permanent residence on May 29 with the intent to live there “for the rest of his life,” court documents state.
July 2020
Perry and Orlando purchase the home from Westcott for $14.2 million, but Westcott allegedly immediately regrets the sale. Discharged from the hospital after undergoing a major six-hour back surgery on July 11, the war veteran’s legal counsel claim, in court documents obtained by The Post, that a July 14 contract for the sale of his home was done when he “lacked the mental capacity to understand the nature and probable consequences of the contract.”
The complaint argues that “upon discharge from the hospital, Mr. Westcott was prescribed at least two opiates in pill form that he was to continue taking for pain, which he took as prescribed several times each day. The combination of his age, frailty from his back condition and recent surgery, and the opiates he was taking several times a day rendered Mr. Westcott of unsound mind and not competent to give his free, voluntary, or intelligent consent to the contract.”
On July 22 Westcott claims to “feel mentally clear again,” rid of the opiates that filled his body from the surgery. He then sent a letter to the real estate agency representing the property.
“Mr. Westcott sent an email to Berkshire Hathaway, in its capacity as the dual agent for seller and buyer,
that he did not want to sell his home,” the complaint states. He “gave it his deepest consideration, but that he is in the final few years of his life and he cannot sell his home.”
In perhaps a last stitch effort to save the deal, Perry and Bloom also pen a letter to Westcott on July 22.
“We are writing this letter to you to express our appreciation with regard to your agreement to sell your property to us and to communicate our joy at being able to call it our home,” the singer and actor began. “As you know we are expecting a baby next month and know that this will be the best place to bring her home to and raise her in.”
The couple whom welcomed their daughter Daisy on August 26 continued, “Though there were other properties that did interest us, yours will provide us the comfort of security, privacy, and safety. These three details are of the utmost importance to us and the reason we were willing to pay a premium and move forward on your property specifically. This home will be a respite, one where we will be able to grow together as a family. We have gone through some challenges in the past week, our beloved dog Mighty passed away.”
“With such devastating news, being the lucky people to purchase your home is a shining light to help get us through such a difficult time,” they continued. “We hope you can appreciate that you are turning your home over to a very loving couple, who are expecting their first baby and have nothing but joy at the thought of making their life and future memories there.”
The letter did not sway Westcott in their favor.
According to court documents, on July 24 Westcott received a letter from Bloom and Perry’s lawyer, Berni Gudvi.
“The letter stated, in sum and substance, that the lawyer represented not only Mr. Gudvi, but also Mr. Orlando Bloom and Ms. Katheryn Hudson (professionally known as Katy Perry) on whose behalf Mr. Gudvi had always been acting. “The letter advised Mr. Westcott that his clients Mr. Bloom and Ms. Hudson are not willing to walk away from purchasing Mr. Westcott’s home and he is obligated to complete the sale.”
However Westcott’s lawyers argue that the contract to sell his home is ‘voidable’ due to his mental state.
October 2021
Westcott is transferred to a mental health facility in Dallas after a suicide attempt. According to People, “his attorney stated in court that his client feared memory loss from his condition. Westcott is currently living at a facility for patients facing dementia and was not well enough to attend trial.”
September 2023
Perry fans bash the singer on social media for the lawsuit which is viewed as malicious.
“Why are you trying to kick a dying vet out of his house,” slammed one angry fan. “What is wrong with you? Your real estate agent is so shady, getting him to sign something while he’s on drugs from surgery in the hospital.”
“What’s up with Katy Perry & her disturbing real estate deals/scams in CA,” asked a second fan.
“WOW who knew @katyperry & Orlando Bloom were such scumbags and terrible people,” sneered a third person. “To think she comes from a very religious family. To do this to a vet and someone who is in the last years of their life.”
The non-jury trial officially commenced on September 27. Both parties’ legal teams delivered their opening statements.
“Westcott’s attorney Andrew Thomas said that his client had been showing signs of ‘delusion’ and ‘intrusive thoughts’ after taking painkillers hydrocodone, gabapentin and tramadol when he sold his home on July 15,” according to People. “Five days before the sale, Westcott had spinal surgery on his back. According to attorney Thomas, the contract was presented to Westcott while he was residing in Dallas and was still recovering from ‘post-operative delirium’.”
This story is still developing.