Katy Perry’s Real Estate Warzone: How Her Legal Battles Sparked a Law to Protect Seniors
From convent court fights to a billionaire’s Montecito mansion, Katy Perry’s property drama has become the stuff of real estate legend and public outrage.
By Carrie Shelton | June 10, 2025
Katy Perry’s music may be full of fireworks, but her legal record off-stage might be even louder, especially when it comes to California real estate.
Over the past decade, the global pop star has found herself at the center of multiple property battles, many involving elderly homeowners.
One case even led to the drafting of a proposed law: the so-called Katy PERRY Act, aimed at shielding seniors from real estate exploitation.
Though the act never passed into California law, its ripple effects are still being felt legally, politically, and in the court of public opinion.
Let’s break down Perry’s most infamous property fights and the legal fallout they’ve sparked.
The Katy PERRY Act: Born From Controversy
The PERRY Act, short for Protecting Elder Realty for Retirement Years, was drafted in 2023 after a heated property dispute between Perry and an 85-year-old veteran made national headlines.
The proposed bill would have introduced a 72-hour “cooling-off” period for real estate transactions involving homeowners aged 75 and up, giving either party the option to walk away, no questions asked.
The act’s now-defunct website described it as a safeguard against “elder financial abuse” and “predatory acquisitions.” While it didn’t make it through the California legislature, the bill attracted bipartisan support in other states, including Texas and New Mexico.
A Change.org petition supporting the measure remains active, with more than 350 signatures as of June 2025. It’s not law, but the idea refuses to disappear.
The Westcott Case: A $15 Million Dream—or a Legal Nightmare?
At the center of the firestorm was Carl Westcott, an aging Army veteran and founder of 1-800-FLOWERS. In 2020, fresh out of back surgery and grappling with Huntington’s disease, Westcott signed over his $15 million Santa Barbara home to Perry and her fiancé Orlando Bloom.
He later changed his mind dramatically. Westcott sued, arguing he was cognitively impaired and under heavy pain medication at the time of the sale.
His legal team said he was in “post-surgical delirium,” confused, and incapable of making informed decisions. Westcott insisted he intended to live out his remaining years in the home.
In 2023, a judge disagreed. The court found him mentally competent when signing the contract. Perry filed the deed in May 2024, sealing the deal.
But it didn’t end there. In a move that surprised even Perry’s critics, she countersued the elderly vet for $6 million, citing lost rental value, deferred maintenance, and legal fees.
Battle of the Nuns: The Convent That Broke a Sister’s Heart
This wasn’t Perry’s first real estate standoff with older residents.
Back in 2015, she attempted to buy a Los Feliz convent from a group of Catholic nuns who had lived on the property for decades. The sisters preferred to sell to another buyer. Perry sued to enforce her rights as a prospective buyer.
She won the legal battle in 2017, but the emotional toll was steep. During a 2018 court appearance, 89-year-old Sister Catherine Rose Holzman collapsed and died after pleading publicly, “Katy Perry, please stop.”
Ultimately, Perry’s option to purchase the property expired in 2019 after she failed to meet all contractual obligations, including restoring the site’s House of Prayer.
Taken together, these cases helped shape public perception of Perry as more than a pop powerhouse. To critics, she became a symbol of celebrity entitlement, someone willing to use her wealth and legal firepower to win at all costs. Supporters, however, argue she’s simply defending her legal rights.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the optics: a millionaire megastar suing a nun and an ailing veteran. That’s a narrative no publicist can easily rewrite.
A History of Legal Fights
Katy Perry Wins In ‘Dark Horse’ Copyright
Perry’s legal entanglements extend beyond real estate. A few more headline-makers include:
- Dark Horse copyright lawsuit (2019–2022): Perry was sued by Christian rapper Flame for alleged copyright infringement. A jury initially awarded $2.8 million, but the decision was later reversed on appeal.
- Katie Perry trademark case (2009–2024): Australian fashion designer Katie Jane Taylor sued over trademark rights. Perry ultimately won on appeal in 2024, and Taylor’s trademark was canceled.
- “Smile” plagiarism claim (2020–2022): A lesser-known songwriter claimed Perry copied lyrics. The case was dismissed for lack of substantial similarity.
While the PERRY Act never became law, it continues to influence conversations around elder protection and real estate ethics. In today’s climate of rising financial scams and housing insecurity, these issues aren’t going away.
As for Katy Perry? She’s busy with new music, motherhood, and her role as an American Idol judge—but her name now carries a legal legacy that extends far beyond the stage.
Bonus Update: Fan Storms Stage During Perry’s Lifetimes Tour
As if legal controversy wasn’t enough, Perry’s live shows are generating drama of their own.
On June 4, 2025, during her Lifetimes World Tour stop in Sydney, Australia, a fan jumped on stage at Qudos Bank Arena and startled the pop star mid-performance. While singing her hit “Hot N Cold,” the man rushed to her, grabbed her shoulder, and began dancing excitedly. Visibly shaken, Perry spun away and quipped to the crowd: “Well, there’s never going to be another show like this, so just enjoy it, Sydney.”
View this post on Instagram
Security quickly intervened, dragging the man off stage. Moments later, Katy Perry, still holding her guitar, asked the audience, “What the hell is going on?”
This chaotic moment followed a string of viral mishaps on tour, including a near-fall when Perry was suspended upside-down by a crane during another performance, and a wardrobe malfunction scare in Las Vegas.
Despite the unexpected interruptions, Perry remains committed to finishing her Australian dates before bringing the Lifetimes Tour to the UK in October.
People Also Ask (PAA)
What is the Katy PERRY Act?
A proposed law aimed at protecting elderly homeowners from predatory real estate deals. Named after Katy Perry, it gained traction in 2023 but never passed.
Why was Katy Perry sued by a veteran?
She bought a Montecito home from Carl Westcott, 85, who later argued he lacked mental capacity due to Huntington’s disease and post-surgery confusion.
What happened with Katy Perry and the nuns?
Perry attempted to buy a Los Feliz convent from elderly nuns. One nun died in court during the legal dispute. Perry eventually lost the right to purchase the property.
Did Katy Perry win the copyright lawsuit over “Dark Horse”?
Yes. A jury originally awarded damages, but the decision was overturned and dismissed on appeal.
Is Katy Perry litigious?
While she has been involved in multiple lawsuits, Perry has generally defended her legal actions as fair, legitimate business practices.