Katy Perry spared reunion with Orlando Bloom as judge slams ‘celebrity circus’ in home row

In a dramatic courtroom decision that has drawn widespread attention, a Los Angeles judge has spared pop star Katy Perry and her ex-fiancé, actor Orlando Bloom, from an awkward public reunion amid an ongoing real estate dispute involving an ailing 85-year-old war veteran.

The dispute centers on a $15 million Montecito mansion that Perry purchased in 2020 from Carl Westcott, who now suffers from late-stage Huntington’s Disease and is under hospice care. Just days after agreeing to the sale, Westcott attempted to rescind the deal, claiming he was under the influence of strong pain medication when he signed the documents.

Despite the legal back-and-forth over the last four years, Perry and Bloom – who separated in June after nearly a decade together – have largely avoided public courtroom appearances. That changed Friday when LA Superior Court Judge Joseph Lipner ruled that Bloom, 48, would not have to testify in person at the trial starting August 21. Bloom had been subpoenaed as a key witness since he was reportedly supervising renovations at the estate.

The judge dismissed the necessity of Bloom’s testimony, arguing that contractors involved in the repairs were better positioned to provide relevant information. “Why do we need Mr. Bloom to testify, other than making this a celebrity circus?” Judge Lipner asked during the hearing.

While Bloom was excused, Perry will still be required to testify in person. However, the judge limited her cross-examination and testimony time to no more than two hours, a move aimed at keeping the proceedings focused on facts rather than fame.

The case has drawn criticism from the Westcott family, who accuse the singer – estimated to be worth $350 million – of exploiting an elderly, dying man. After winning the property in court, Perry has now filed a second lawsuit seeking an additional $6 million from Westcott: $2.5 million in claimed damages to the property and $3.5 million in alleged lost rental income. She is also pursuing an estimated $3 million in legal fees.

Carl Westcott’s son, Chart Westcott, condemned Perry’s actions, calling her demands "entitled celebrity behavior" and describing her as lacking empathy. “She has no sense of fair play,” he told reporters, expressing disbelief at the multimillion-dollar claims.

“This is such a small deal for someone like her. There’s no real explanation other than greed,” he added, describing his father’s condition as “horrible” and “far worse than most people realize.”

The 1930s estate, nestled in Montecito, spans 9,000 square feet on a 2.5-acre lot. The high-profile neighborhood is also home to celebrities such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey, Ariana Grande, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Despite the backlash, Perry has remained largely silent publicly about the case. Legal experts say the outcome of the trial could have significant implications for real estate deals involving vulnerable sellers and high-profile buyers.

The trial is set to begin on August 21, with Perry expected to take the stand for a brief but closely-watched testimony.