Why Katy Perry Keeps Getting Sued Over Real Estate

Katy Perry might be known for her powerhouse voice and glittering stage costumes but, off-stage, her name has also become tied to luxury properties and high-profile legal drama. 

Over the past decade, Katy Perry's real estate deals have sparked lawsuits, public disputes, and even a tragic twist involving a decades-old convent. From Montecito mansions to historic Los Angeles estates, her property portfolio has been anything but simple.

Let’s take a walk through two of her biggest real estate sagas, and see why they continue to make headlines.

Inside Katy Perry’s Long List of Real Estate Disputes

The most recent Katy Perry court case centers on a $15 million Montecito estate, a coastal California enclave where celebrity neighbors include Oprah Winfrey and Ariana Grande. 

In 2020, Perry and then-fiancé Orlando Bloom were expecting their first child when they set their sights on the property, owned by businessman Carl Westcott.

Westcott claimed he was fresh out of the hospital, on strong pain medication, and didn’t fully understand the sales agreement when he signed the contracts. His lawyers tried to undo the deal, filing a lawsuit that has since stretched on for years. 

In November 2023, the court sided with Perry, saying there was no convincing evidence that Westcott lacked the capacity to sell.

But the story didn’t end there. Perry officially gained ownership in May 2024, yet a damages trial is now set for later this month. Westcott alleges the property was rented out to actors Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger and disputes Perry’s claims of damage and lost value. 

Meanwhile, Perry’s team is seeking millions of dollars in repairs, lost rental income, and legal fees. With Orlando Bloom also drawn into the subpoena battle, the trial’s next phase is sure to have even more twists.

The Convent Case That Sparked The PERRY Act

Before Montecito, Perry’s most infamous deal involved a sprawling Los Feliz convent once owned by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

In 2015, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to sell the property to Perry for $14.5 million, but the Sisters claimed they had the right to sell and quickly struck their own deal with local restaurateur Dana Hollister.

The clash turned into a full-blown Katy Perry lawsuit against nuns, with the courts ultimately siding with the Archdiocese and invalidating Hollister’s purchase. Perry’s side argued that Vatican approval was still required for the sale, which hit yet another snag when the property’s House of Prayer became a sticking point.

In the fallout, Hollister was ordered to pay millions of dollars in fees to both the Archdiocese and Perry’s company, but she later declared bankruptcy. Then, the dispute took a tragic turn in 2018 when one of the nuns, Sister Catherine Rose Holzman, who had publicly opposed the sale, collapsed and died during a court appearance.

This drawn-out battle even inspired proposed legislation in California, nicknamed The PERRY Act (Protecting Elder Realty for Retirement Years Act). 

Its goal is to prevent real estate deals from going through when elderly sellers might not be in a position to fully consent. While not law yet, the Katy Perry Act law has kept the singer’s name tied to broader property reform conversations.

Public Backlash and Lasting Headlines

Aside from the legal filings, Perry’s property fights have stirred strong public reactions. In the convent case, her celebrity status made her an easy target for criticism, especially from people who were sympathetic to the elderly nuns. 

In the Montecito case, the clash over Westcott’s condition has sparked debates about justice in high-value real estate deals.

Both cases highlight how the glamorous world of celebrity home buying can quickly turn into a years-long legal marathon. They also show how one singer’s property portfolio has become a surprising flashpoint in real estate law, ethics, and legislation.

Where Things Stand Now

With the Montecito damages trial about to enter its next phase, and the convent’s future still unclear, this legal chapter in Katy Perry's real estate portfolio is far from over. 

Whether she ultimately walks away with a financial win or just another headline, one thing is for sure: Perry’s name will keep showing up in court filings as often as it does on the charts.