Pop icon Katy Perry and her fiancé, actor Orlando Bloom, have found themselves at the centre of a dramatic £13.5 million courtroom battle over a luxurious California estate. The high-profile trial, which began this week, pits the celebrity couple against 84-year-old military veteran and entrepreneur Carl Westcott.
The dispute revolves around the 2020 sale of a sprawling, eight-bedroom mansion in the exclusive enclave of Montecito. According to court documents, Westcott claims he was not of sound mind when he agreed to sell the property due to the influence of powerful pain medication following major back surgery.
A Deal Signed Under Duress?
Westcott's legal team argues their client, who suffers from Huntington's disease, was in a severely compromised state when he entered into the contract just days after his operation. They contend he lacked the mental capacity to understand the transaction's gravity and attempted to rescind the deal mere days after the drugs' effects had worn off.
Perry and Bloom's representatives, however, maintain the transaction was conducted in good faith. They assert that the couple relied on the signed agreement and proceeded in earnest, expecting to take ownership of their dream home.
The Montecito Property at a Glance
The estate in question is no ordinary property. Nestled in one of America's most coveted postcodes, the mansion boasts:
- Eight bedrooms and eleven bathrooms
- Expansive grounds and premium amenities
- A value that has significantly appreciated since the 2020 agreement
The trial is expected to hear testimony from medical experts, real estate agents, and potentially the celebrities themselves. The outcome will hinge on whether the court believes Westcott was indeed incapacitated at the time of signing.
This case highlights the complex intersection of contract law, medical capacity, and high-stakes celebrity real estate, captivating audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
