Judge Orders Katy Perry to Testify in Case Over $15 Million Montecito Home

Katy Perry is going to court.

The 38-year-old singer has been asked to testify in a non-jury trial over the 1930s Montecito mansion she bought with her fiance Orlando Bloom in July 2020 for $15 million. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom Santa Barbara estate was owned by 84-year-old business entrepreneur Carl Westcott.

Inside Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom’s Legal Battle Over $15 Million Montecito Home

The couple and Westcott are in the middle of a legal battle over the 9,285-square-foot home, according to court documents, because Westcott claims he was not in his right mind to sign any binding contracts and wanted to avoid the sale altogether.

Father-in-law of the ex The Real Housewives of Dallas reality star Kameron Westcott was diagnosed with a genetic brain disorder known as Huntington’s disease in 2015 and now lives in a facility for patients dealing with dementia.

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom.

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Perry and Bloom business manager Bernie Goodvi’s attorney, Eric Rowan, previously argued that Westcott’s mental capacity was not affected by Westcott’s degenerative brain diagnosis. Westcott’s barrister, Andrew Thomas, claimed he had “delusions” and “intrusive thoughts” following spinal surgery five days before the sale after having to take the painkillers hydrocodone, gabapentin and tramadol.

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Thomas also claimed that Perry was emailed with subpoenas in July and August.

Timeline of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom’s relationship

During the last court session, Rowan suggested using Perry’s statement as testimony. He also claimed that “she’s in Alabama filming a TV series she stars in” until October 19. After the judge refused, he requested a closed court hearing for her testimony.

Because Perry is also seeking more than $5 million in damages for loss of potential rental income and maintenance costs for other properties she and Bloom, 46, rent, Thomas requested that she testify remotely about the damage and the rightful owner of the home.

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom.

Emma McIntyre/Getty

The judge responded by saying: “I am inclined to have her do it remotely, but I am not inclined to a closed court.” She is a person like everyone else. She’s asking for a lot of money.” The judge noted that Perry should answer the questions.

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Perry and Bloom got engaged in February 2019 and share a three-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove. Recently, the singer has been busy with her Resorts World Las Vegas residency which started in December 2021 and is scheduled to last until November.

In addition to being announced as a returning judge for season 22 American Idolshe was recently named as the voice of a brand new character for the upcoming three-part Peppa Pig 20th anniversary special.

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Source: HIS Education