Katy Perry Prevails in $15M Mansion Dispute with Texas Millionaire

In a long-running real estate battle, pop star Katy Perry has emerged victorious against 85-year-old Texas millionaire Carl Westcott over the sale of a $15 million Montecito mansion. The dispute, which began in 2020, saw Westcott attempt to undo the sale, claiming he was mentally incompetent at the time due to a degenerative brain disease, dementia, and the effects of heavy painkillers.

However, a 2023 trial revealed that Westcott was alert and engaged throughout the sale process, even courting a rival bid from Maria Shriver before ultimately accepting Perry's $15 million offer. The judge ruled that Westcott's own medical expert failed to provide a convincing explanation for why he lacked competence to sign the contract.

With the initial liability trial decided in her favor, Perry has now alleged that Westcott's actions caused her to lose over $3 million in fair-market rental income. She also claims $2.29 million in necessary repairs were required to restore the property to its original condition, citing issues like "pervasive flood damage" and a fallen tree that cracked the foundation.

The damages phase of the trial is set to begin on August 21, 2025, with Perry expected to testify, likely via video due to her ongoing world tour. The judge has ruled that actor Orlando Bloom, Perry's former fiancé, will not be required to testify, despite Westcott's attempts to question him about the repair costs.