Remember when Katy Perry bullied elderly homeowners so bad they had to make a law to prevent it? The PERRY Act explained

Katy Perry’s recent trip to outer space has exposed her to many as an out-of-touch millionaire. The pop star really is in her flop-era at the moment and people are now going back and looking at some of her past behavior and realizing this goes beyond the space flight and beyond a bad album.

When we think of Perry, catchy pop anthems and colorful stage outfits come to mind first. But a few years ago the global superstar found herself at the center of a legal controversy that led to proposed legislative change in California. The so-called “PERRY Act,” is not a law yet, but it could be. It was born out of a highly publicized dispute between Perry and an elderly veteran named Carl Westcott.

The feud with Westcott explained

Westcott, a 85-year-old entrepreneur and veteran suffering from Huntington’s disease, had lived for years in a lavish Montecito home. In 2020, Perry attempted to purchase Westcott’s property for $11.25 million. Just days after he signed the sales agreement, Westcott tried to back out, arguing that he was under heavy medication after surgery and didn’t fully comprehend what he was doing. Despite his condition and his family’s protests, Perry pursued legal action to enforce the sale, claiming it was a legitimate transaction.

The optics were… not great. A healthy, mega-rich celebrity fighting to evict a confused, elderly man from his home felt cold and frankly, out of touch. While Perry’s camp argued that everything was done “by the book,” the public perception tilted toward outrage. Should someone with power, wealth, and an army of lawyers be able to pressure a vulnerable senior citizen into giving up their home?

The PERRY Act

The case dragged on in court with Perry launching a counterclaim against Westcott seeking $6 million in back rent and alleged damages. It eventually inspired the Protecting Elder Realty for Retirement Years Act or the “PERRY Act” which sought to strengthen protections for elderly homeowners who may be suffering from cognitive decline or undue influence when selling property.

In essence, the law aims to make sure that no elderly person can be steamrolled into signing away their home — especially by someone with vast resources and very little at stake. Looking at you Kate.

Katy Perry’s involvement in the case may have been technically legal, but it left a bad taste in many mouths. It’s hard not to feel that someone of her immense wealth and privilege could have simply walked away, or at least shown more empathy. After all, this wasn’t just a business deal — it was someone’s home, memories, and final years at stake. But then again, Perry has shown how little she understands her own privilege with her recent space trip.