MONTECITO, Calif. — The long-running, headline-grabbing real estate battle between pop superstar Katy Perry and 86-year-old entrepreneur Carl Westcott appears to be drawing to a close. On Tuesday, a Los Angeles judge signed a proposed order that will see Perry recoup $1.8 million from the purchase price of the disputed $15 million Montecito estate, effectively ending a four-year legal saga marked by accusations of mental incapacity and bitter litigation.
The Verdict: A Middle Ground
The conflict began in 2020 when Westcott—the founder of 1-800-Flowers and father-in-law to Real Housewives of Dallas star Kameron Westcott—attempted to rescind the sale of the 1930s estate, claiming he "lacked capacity" due to age and medication when he signed the contract.
After a bench trial confirmed the contract was valid, the legal fight moved to "Phase Two": damages.
Perry's Ask: The "Firework" singer sought $4.7 million, citing lost rental income and extensive repairs needed after years of legal limbo.
Westcott's Offer: The defense argued damages should be capped at just $260,000.
Superior Court Judge Joseph Lipner found a compromise. He awarded Perry $2.8 million for the lost rental value of the property and $260,000 for damages (including water damage and a fallen tree). However, he deducted $1 million from the total, reasoning that Perry had the benefit of investing her capital elsewhere during the dispute.
Unless a viable objection is filed within ten days, the $1.8 million award will be finalized.
The "Capacity" Defense Crumbles
The case drew national attention due to the optics: a global pop star enforcing a contract against an elderly veteran suffering from Huntington’s disease. Westcott’s legal team argued that post-operative delirium from back surgery and heavy painkillers rendered him incompetent during the July 2020 deal.
However, during the 2023 liability trial, Perry’s legal team dismantled this narrative.
Evidence of Sharpness: They presented text messages and emails showing Westcott was highly engaged in the sale.
The Bidding War: Testimony revealed Westcott was lucid enough to court a rival bid from Maria Shriver before ultimately choosing Perry’s higher offer.
The Ruling: The judge noted that Westcott’s own medical experts failed to offer a "cogent explanation" for his alleged incompetence, noting that he had actively negotiated the price and even complained about broker commissions.
A Star-Studded Tenant List
The damages phase revealed fascinating details about the property's life during litigation. After Perry finally took possession in April 2024 (placing $9 million in escrow), she claimed the home required over $2 million in repairs to return it to its 2020 condition.
Westcott’s lawyer, Andrew J. Thomas, pushed back, revealing that Perry had successfully rented the home to actor Chris Pratt and his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger. The defense argued that if the home was suitable for Hollywood A-listers, the claims of "pervasive flood damage" and cracked foundations were exaggerated.
In a twist of irony, Katherine Schwarzenegger is the daughter of Maria Shriver—the very woman Westcott had courted as a buyer before signing with Perry.
A Turbulent Year for Perry
The legal victory comes amidst a whirlwind year for the 40-year-old singer.
Space Travel: In April, Perry made headlines for taking an 11-minute sub-orbital trip aboard a Blue Origin rocket owned by Jeff Bezos.
Personal Life: In June, news broke of her split from longtime partner and fiancé Orlando Bloom.
New Romance Rumors: Most recently, Perry has been spotting dining with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. His appearance at one of her recent concerts has fueled intense speculation that the two are dating.
For now, with the Montecito legal war nearly behind her, Perry seems poised to turn the page on this chapter and she’ll likely be doing so with an extra $1.8 million in her pocket.