Katy Perry to testify virtually on daughter's 5th birthday in mansion battle

Katy Perry will spend part of her daughter Daisy Dove Bloom's 5th birthday testifying virtually in a court case related to a years-long legal battle over a Santa Barbara-area home. 

The Hot N Cold singer is scheduled to appear in court on August 26, the same day as her daughter's birthday, due to her busy tour schedule.

The dispute began in 2020 when Perry and her ex-fiancé, Orlando Bloom, entered into a contract to purchase a 1930s Montecito mansion from entrepreneur Carl Westcott for $15 million. 

However, Westcott changed his mind just days later, claiming he wasn't in the right mindset to sign the contract due to a genetic brain disorder diagnosed in 2015. 

Perry's business manager, Bernie Gudvi, was directly sued by Westcott, but Perry gained ownership of the property under the LLC DDoveB in May 2024.

Judge Joseph Lipner expressed his disapproval of Perry's team's strategy, saying, "I don't like the strategy on Ms Hudson's side. It shows her in a bad light." Perry's team apologised, stating, "There was no strategy or tactic." 

The judge's reaction came after Perry's team tried to have her testify on August 21, but her tour schedule conflicted.

The singer is seeking approximately $4 million in damages, which includes $3.5 million for lost rental value and $1.3 million for repairs and damages to the property.