Inside Katy Perry’s years-long battle over a US$15m home

Pop star Katy Perry (inset) and business mogul Carl Westcott have battled in court for years for the right to own this home in Santa Barbara, California. (Image: WSJ)

The Wall Street Journal

Sun, 19 Nov 2023

By Candace Taylor “I know a place, where the grass is really greener,” sings pop star Katy Perry in her 2010 hit California Gurls.On a November morning in Perry’s United States hometown of Santa Barbara, California, that seemed to be the case. On a gated estate spanning nearly a hectare in the coveted enclave of Montecito, the only sound was the gurgling of the fountains. Lime trees and rosebushes ringed a large, grassy lawn. The spacious, circa-1930 house was backed by green mountains, and the Pacific Ocean and Chan...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.
Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}