Katy Perry is facing a wave of public outrage after reports surfaced that she and her husband, actor Orlando Bloom, are suing a disabled veteran for nearly $5 million in damages over a high-profile real estate dispute that has taken a deeply personal — and increasingly emotional — turn.
The case centers on an $15 million mansion in the hills of Montecito, California — a property Perry purchased in 2020 from 84-year-old Carl Westcott, a U.S. Army veteran and entrepreneur who founded 1-800-Flowers. According to The Los Angeles Times, Westcott claims he was under heavy medication and not of sound mind when he signed the deal to sell his home. Perry, however, insists the contract was “legally binding and fairly executed.”
Now, new filings reviewed by TMZ show that Perry’s legal team has taken the battle one step further — seeking nearly $5 million in damages from Westcott to cover “lost rental income” and “property maintenance costs” incurred during the court proceedings. The staggering sum has triggered a fierce backlash online, with critics accusing the pop star of “financially bullying” a disabled senior veteran.
“Katy Perry suing a disabled 84-year-old veteran for $5M? This is beyond tone-deaf.” @guardian
Westcott’s attorneys argue that he had no intention of selling his longtime home and that he was recovering from major back surgery — on painkillers and physically impaired — when Perry’s representatives approached him. “He was confused, medicated, and vulnerable,” the legal filing reads. “This was not a fair transaction.”
According to The Daily Mail, Perry’s team maintains that the contract was signed “in good faith” and that all necessary documents were reviewed by Westcott’s legal representatives before the sale was finalized. “The suggestion that Ms. Perry took advantage of anyone is categorically false,” a spokesperson for Perry told reporters. “This is a standard property dispute being sensationalized by the media.”
But the optics of the case have proven disastrous. On social media, hashtags like #KatyPerryLawsuit and #JusticeForCarl have gone viral, with fans and critics alike condemning the singer’s legal strategy. “She’s worth $330 million,” one user wrote on X. “Why on earth is she suing an old veteran for pocket change?”
Others pointed out the disturbing emotional toll the case has taken on Westcott’s family. “This lawsuit has destroyed my father’s peace of mind,” Westcott’s son, Chart Westcott, told NBC News. “He’s a decorated veteran who served his country. He’s not a celebrity with endless resources — he’s an elderly man who just wanted to live out his final years in his home.”
“Imagine suing an 84-year-old disabled vet for millions because you want his house. Katy Perry, do better.” @reuters
The story has taken on an almost Shakespearean tone — a clash between celebrity privilege and human vulnerability. “There’s no way to spin this as a good look for Katy Perry,” one entertainment lawyer told Rolling Stone. “Even if she wins legally, she’s losing in the court of public opinion.”
Perry, known for her upbeat pop anthems and her work on American Idol, has remained publicly silent amid the growing criticism. But insiders claim the singer is frustrated with how the case has been portrayed. “She’s being painted as a villain,” one source close to her said. “In reality, this has dragged on for years. She just wants closure.”
Legal experts note that Perry’s aggressive approach may stem from frustration after a lengthy legal limbo. “When multimillion-dollar real estate is tied up for years, the costs mount quickly,” said property attorney Daniel Marcus. “Still, pursuing damages against a sick, elderly veteran is a PR nightmare — even if it’s legally justified.”
The emotional heart of the case remains the same: Westcott says he was too medicated to understand what he was signing. His legal team has provided hospital records showing he was under strong opioids at the time of the agreement. “He had just come out of major surgery,” his lawyer told CBS News. “He was in no condition to sell anything — let alone his lifelong home.”
Perry’s camp counters that the sale was reviewed and notarized by multiple legal parties, emphasizing that the property was listed publicly before the deal closed. “This wasn’t a secret deal,” her representative said. “He agreed to sell, then changed his mind after the fact.”
“‘It’s not about money, it’s about fairness.’ Perry’s team defends lawsuit amid growing backlash.” @people
The lawsuit has also reignited debate about celebrity real estate power plays — and how fame can tilt the balance of justice. “When the rich go up against the vulnerable, even a win looks like a loss,” said commentator Sophie Gilbert. “Katy Perry doesn’t need that house. But Carl Westcott needed dignity.”
Westcott’s family has vowed to continue the fight, saying they won’t be intimidated by Perry’s legal team. “We’re not backing down,” his son said. “Dad earned every brick of that home — not through fame, but through hard work.”
As the legal drama plays out, fans have flooded Perry’s social media with pleas for compassion. “Drop the lawsuit,” one follower wrote under her latest post. “You can rebuild your reputation — he can’t rebuild his life.”
Whether Perry’s team presses forward or seeks a settlement, the damage to her public image may already be done. For many, the image of a global superstar suing a frail veteran for millions feels impossible to defend — a reminder that even in Hollywood, power and empathy don’t always go hand in hand.