Pop superstar Katy Perry found herself in a Los Angeles courtroom, albeit remotely, testifying in the complex legal dispute over a $15 million mansion in the upscale area of Montecito, California.
The property was purchased in 2020 by a company set up by her then-partner, actor Orlando Bloom.
The seller, 85-year-old Carl Westcott, claims he was not mentally competent to agree to the sale and has sued to undo the deal.
Perry's business manager, Bernie Gudvi, technically the defendant, prevailed in the first trial in 2023 but then countersued for lost rental income and maintenance costs, leading to this second trial.
During an hour of testimony, Perry maintained a tense and careful demeanor.
When pressed by Westcott's lawyer, Andrew J.
Thomas, on whether she stood to gain from the case, she offered a succinct one-word response: 'Justice.' She clarified that she stood to lose money if the case did not conclude in her favor.
The testimony often veered towards her relationship with Bloom, though the judge ruled questions about the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor would be redundant and unnecessary.
Perry confirmed that Bloom oversaw a remodel of the house while she acted as a 'partner and adviser.' When asked about the nature of their partnership following their split in July, Perry stated, 'We're family for life.' The pop star, who was testifying while on an international tour, also conceded that in the previous trial she had stated she intended to live in the mansion herself, not rent it out, which is a central point of the current Countersuit.
The trial, which has no jury, is expected to last several more days.
The property was purchased in 2020 by a company set up by her then-partner, actor Orlando Bloom.
The seller, 85-year-old Carl Westcott, claims he was not mentally competent to agree to the sale and has sued to undo the deal.
Perry's business manager, Bernie Gudvi, technically the defendant, prevailed in the first trial in 2023 but then countersued for lost rental income and maintenance costs, leading to this second trial.
During an hour of testimony, Perry maintained a tense and careful demeanor.
When pressed by Westcott's lawyer, Andrew J.
Thomas, on whether she stood to gain from the case, she offered a succinct one-word response: 'Justice.' She clarified that she stood to lose money if the case did not conclude in her favor.
The testimony often veered towards her relationship with Bloom, though the judge ruled questions about the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor would be redundant and unnecessary.
Perry confirmed that Bloom oversaw a remodel of the house while she acted as a 'partner and adviser.' When asked about the nature of their partnership following their split in July, Perry stated, 'We're family for life.' The pop star, who was testifying while on an international tour, also conceded that in the previous trial she had stated she intended to live in the mansion herself, not rent it out, which is a central point of the current Countersuit.
The trial, which has no jury, is expected to last several more days.
