Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are facing fierce backlash for their legal actions against an 85-year-old disabled veteran, Carl Westcott, with his family branding their behaviour as "unforgivable." According to The Sun, the veteran’s family is outraged by the pop star’s move to sue him for $6 million (£4.92 million) over back rent and alleged damages after she and Bloom purchased his Southern California mansion.
In 2020, the celebrity couple acquired the upscale Montecito property—formerly owned by Westcott and neighboured by celebrities like Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Gwyneth Paltrow. The agreement was signed with Perry's business manager Bernie Gudvi during the COVID pandemic after Westcott initially agreed to sell his 8.9-acre estate to Perry.
However, Westcott later contended that his judgment had been impaired by health issues, including surgery and pain medication, claiming he lacked the mental capacity to consent to the $14.2 million (£11.64 million) deal. Westcott, who is afflicted with Huntington’s disease, a degenerative neurological condition, subsequently sought to reverse the sale, leading to a legal dispute with the singer.
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In 2023, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Lipner ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support Westcott's claims, effectively granting the property rights to Perry. Following the verdict, in March 2024, Perry, through her business manager, initiated a lawsuit against Westcott for $6 million (£4.92 million), citing back rent and damages to the property.
The legal drama intensified recently when a court mandated Perry's appearance to testify regarding her claims. Additionally, there is an ongoing effort to subpoena Bloom as a material witness, which Perry’s representatives have criticized as an attempt to "turn the trial into a media circus."
Westcott's current condition is dire as he remains in hospice care. His son, Chart, shared with The U.S. Sun the toll it's taken on their family. "He’s been in a horrible condition, bedridden for well over 18 months.
"His activity level is very low, he's not awake very often, he's very foggy - and still recognises us, but the decline is just consistent, and very painful for our family to watch," he said.
Chart expressed disbelief and disappointment at the lawsuit pursued by Perry, “It was shocking when it happened in the first place. If an old man apologizes and says he made a mistake [about the house sale], and she's a rich pop star who can buy any other house in the world, you'd think she would let the old man go on his way.”
He accused Perry of displaying "entitled celebrity behaviour" and a lack of empathy, “She has no sense of fair play, no empathy, zero empathy, quite the opposite. The worse the condition my father is in, the harsher they've been in trial; it's unfortunate to see the way her lawyers have conducted themselves, bottom of the barrel in terms of ethics.”
When asked if he had any message for Perry and Bloom, Chart provided a poignant response, “It's a hard question, because I don't feel like anyone is listening—they sold their souls long ago... they chose this. It's unforgivable how they have conducted their affairs.”
Express Online has contacted Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's representatives for comment.
