
Katy Perry set to be grilled about Chris Pratt in court
The I Kissed A Girl singer, 40, has been facing legal issues for the past two years since she and her former fiancé, Orlando Bloom, purchased a home in Santa Barbara.
The singer and her business manager, Bernie Gudvi, are facing a lawsuit from the previous owner, Carl Westcott, who sold the property to the singer in 2020.
Westcott is the founder of 1-800 Flowers, and claimed that he was not o sound mind when he agreed to sell the property, just two months after purchasing it.
UsWeekly has now revealed that in a new twist in the tale, Perry is set to be questioned about a June report that claimed Pratt and his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, moved into the 9,285 square-foot estate.
The Jurassic World actor and his wife are reportedly renting the property from Perry, along with their three young children and Pratt's son Jack from his previous marriage to Anna Faris.
Westcott, who suffers from Huntington's disease, had originally purchased the property in May 2020, just two months before selling the property to Perry.
Westcott – who was 80 years old at the time – claimed that the sale of the home was done when he 'lacked the mental capacity to understand the nature and probable consequences of the contract.'
The first phase of the trial began in November 2023 and ended in 2024 with the judge siding with Perry, agreeing that the singer was the rightful owner and the deed was transferred to her name.
According to People, the Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Lipner said at the time: 'Westcott presented no persuasive evidence that he lacked capacity to enter into a real estate contract.'
Speaking to the New York Post, Westcott's son, Chart, said: 'Where the judge's ruling may follow the letter of the law, it shows that the law has no spirit.
'Katy Perry will now have to testify, in person, to receive her 'damages'. We look forward to her testimony.
'We hope Ms. Perry enjoys her pyrrhic victory. Lastly, we wish the judge had spelled our father's name correctly.' More Trending
Apparently, after the sale, Perry and Bloom had written a personal letter to Westcott in which they thanked him for selling them the home. They allegedly said that they hoped to bring up their then-unborn daughter, something Westcott's son said was at odds with her claim for list rentals on the property.
The trial date comes a month after the couple announced their split. In a joint statement issued to US media outlets in July, representatives for the couple said the pair 'have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on co-parenting'.
'They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is – and always will be – raising their daughter with love, stability and mutual respect,' it continued.
In the past few days, Perry has been filmed enjoying a cosy dinner with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Michael Douglas 'very surprised' by Sharon Stone's claims of heated argument
MORE: George Clooney drops expletive-filled response to critics of his acting range
MORE: Blake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni's team of 'leaking' details about 'face-to-face showdown'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
Inside Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock's relationship
It has been announced that Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, has died at the age of 48. A representative confirmed the news in a statement to People following the talent manager's secret cancer diagnosis. Clarkson, 43, cancelled dates in her Las Vegas residency ahead of the news to 'be fully present' with her children. 'While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children's father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them,' she wrote on social media. 'I appreciate your grace, kindness, and understanding.' Blackstock once served as Clarkson's manager before the couple wed, divorcing in 2022 after a protracted legal battle. He also previously worked with the likes of Blake Shelton and Clarkson, and was also the former stepson of Reba McEntire. Clarkson and Blackstock began dating in 2012 before tying the knot in 2013. The country singer first met her ex-husband in 2006 at the Academy of Country Music Awards. After 10 months together, Blackstock proposed, and they wed in October 2013 at Blackberry in Tennessee. The Stronger hitmaker confirmed the nuptials with a photo from her big day on Twitter as she wrote: 'I'm officially Mrs. Blackstock :).' Clarkson's mother, Jeanne Taylor, told Celebuzz her daughter had been so overwhelmed she decided to elope – but was worried about hurting her family's feelings. 'She was so afraid we might be upset. But we were fine with it. I had known that she was under a lot of stress. And we just wanted her to be happy and not stressed out,' she said. 'I think the biggest thing for us to do was to allow her to do what she wanted to do.' Clarkson previously told E! News that she and Blackstock had decided against having a 'big, huge' wedding. 'We're just gonna go off with the kids and go get married,' she said. 'It's just gonna be literally, seriously small.' After being married for seven years, the couple decided to call it quits in 2020 and finalised their divorce in 2022. Though both parties reached a confidential settlement, the saga had dragged on for years. The separation proved bitter to say the least, with court battles over property, child support, and spousal support just some of the issues that faced the warring couple. In March 2023, Clarkson was awarded $2.6million in a dispute over improper commissions paid to Blackstock, after a California ruling found that he had secured deals that should have gone through her licensed talent agents at CAA. A suit filed by Clarkson reportedly stated her ex-husband had secured major deals, including The Voice, and took fees in return; three out of four deals secured by Blackstock were ruled to be unlawful and should have been conducted by Clarkson's agents. It stated Blackstock was paid almost $2 million in commission for helping secure her role as a coach on The Voice, with the other funds coming from a promotional deal with NCL, a collaboration with Wayfair, and as part of her multi-year contract as the host of the Billboard Music Awards. In a January 2024 conversation with People, Clarkson described the split as 'extraordinarily hard.' 'You feel alone,' she said, 'and it's just a blessing to be able to have that outlet for those emotions that are overwhelming,' referencing her confessional album Chemistry, which explores heartbreak. Clarkson shares two children – daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington Alexander, nine – with Blackstock. On a March 2025 episode of Kylie Kelce's Not Gonna Lie podcast, Clarkson opened up about the emotional toll of co-parenting, revealing how her children seem to give more leeway to their father when he's absent. 'Even from a young age, we didn't teach them, just innately you're like . . . he's allowed to be somewhere, but you're not?' she said. 'That is like real interesting.' She added, with a touch of sarcasm: 'Co-parenting is fun! It's like, 'Oh, he couldn't come cause of this.' I'm like, 'OK, cool. What! Do you think I just leave and just sit in the park all day?'' Speaking to the We Can Do Hard Things podcast, Clarkson previously said her children had hoped she and Blackstock would reconcile. 'Your kids will still have a hard time,' she began. 'It doesn't matter if you stay, it doesn't matter if you go, I am still having conversations [with my kids] three years later. 'My kids just came back from my ex, and any time there's mention of maybe him being with somebody else… they are just really adamant about keeping that dream alive that we might still be together one day.' Blackstock also has two children – Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18 – with his ex-wife, Melissa Ashworth, from whom he split in 2012. Representatives for Blackstock confirmed his death on August 7 following his secret cancer diagnosis. 'It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,' a representative confirmed to People. 'Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. 'We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time.' While Clarkson is yet to comment publicly on the death of her former husband, it's believed she is 'devastated', especially for her children. More Trending 'When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,' a source told People. 'Kelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well.' The news of his death comes just weeks before his daughter Savannah announced her pregnancy with her second child. Blackstock became a grandfather when she welcomed her first baby, Lake, in 2022. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Coronation Street and Mrs Brown's Boys star Frank Grimes dies aged 78 MORE: Cassie Ventura returns to social media for first time since Diddy trial after giving birth MORE: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyer denies knowledge of Trump pardon for sex trafficking crimes


Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
Six year old hurt after giant octopus 'climbed out of tank' and grabbed him
Six year old hurt after giant octopus 'climbed out of tank' and grabbed him A mother has shared a video which shows her six-year-old son's arm covered in suction bruises after an octopus grabbed hold of him A six year old boy was left with a mass of bruises after a giant octopus latched onto his arm and refused to release him. (Image: TikTok- Britney Taryn) A six-year-old boy was left with a mass of bruises after a giant octopus latched onto his arm and refused to release him. The boy's mum, Britney Taryn, recounted the harrowing experience in a TikTok video following their visit to the San Antonio Aquarium in Texas on Monday, July 14. Britney explained that her son Leo encountered the giant Pacific octopus at a touch tank, despite having visited the aquarium previously and even interacting with the same creature before. You can read more about world news here. The footage shows her son Leo's arm sporting a series of small, dark purple marks, resembling suction bruises, extending from his wrist up to his armpit. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here . The mother described the octopus as "halfway out the tank, and trying to eat my son". Britney shared how her son, usually calm around animals, alerted her to the situation with an unnerving level of composure: "My son is very level-headed when it comes to animals, so when he had his arm in there, and he starts saying, 'Mom, it's not letting me go - and way too calmly - I'm like, 'Oh, okay,' "So I'm helping him get down from the step and trying to pull him away from the octopus, and that octopus is not letting go." She went on to say: "The octopus starts coming out of the tank, and the reason we don't have pictures or videos of this is because my friend was also freaking out." In response to the event, a spokesperson for the aquarium assured PEOPLE magazine that the safety and welfare of visitors, staff, and marine life are always their highest concern. The aquarium has clarified that their octopus exhibit is not a touch tank but rather a "1,000+ gallon habitat intentionally designed with a tall barrier to provide safety for both guests and the animal". The spokesperson added: "Reaching the octopus requires a person to lean fully over the wall of the enclosure and reach approximately 24 inches down from the top edge. "In this instance, the guest leaned her child over the exhibit barrier, allowing him to reach into the habitat without staff supervision." The aquarium characterised the octopus's actions as "typical, curious behaviour by touching and holding the child's arm" and emphasised that there was no aggression or intent to harm the child. The statement read: "Our staff responded promptly to assist, ensuring the child was safely removed from the interaction." They also highlighted that their Giant Pacific Octopus is in good health, receives proper care, and does not exhibit harmful behaviour towards visitors or staff. The statement concluded with: "Octopuses are highly intelligent and curious creatures, and their interactions with humans are often playful and exploratory. However, as with any animal encounter, there are inherent risks, which is why we have strict protocols in place to ensure safety for all." Photos captured the octopus climbing out of the tank at the San Antonio Aquarium (Image: Google Maps ) Britney shared with PEOPLE her understanding that she does "not blame the octopus" and recognises its behaviour as "completely natural". She further stated: "Our goal is to advocate for better conditions for the animals and to ensure that they are housed in environments that are safe and appropriate." The mother also disputed the aquarium's assertion that she had lowered her son towards the exhibit, labelling it "false and defamatory" and accusing them of trying to shift focus from more pressing concerns. She asserted: "No medical attention was offered for my son, and I was not asked to sign an incident report. Several other adults were with me at the time and can attest to this." Britney mentioned that she subsequently contacted the aquarium via email to report the incident, motivated by concerns for animal welfare and public safety, but did not receive a reply. Britney remarked: "Typically, contact with the octopus in that exhibit would only be possible by lifting a child over the glass, something we have done in the past under direct staff instruction. This tank is never staffed, and the public is often left to interact with the animals unsupervised. The only signage provides instructions for a feeding encounter." Following the event, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has urged for the release of the giant Pacific octopus. In a statement on August 1, PETA said: "This slimy facility's exploitative encounters are a recipe for disaster, as injuries abound when timid animals such as octopuses are denied everything natural and important to them and subjected to a barrage of grabbing hands." Article continues below It urged the aquarium to cease forcing wild animals into human interactions and to release the octopus either back into its natural habitat or to an accredited sanctuary where it can live peacefully.


Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
SHANNON MILLER: 'Great genes isn't just cheeky branding, it echoes a dangerous past'
From wartime posters to 1930s magazines, the 'ideal woman' has always been eugenics coded but I think the American Eagle ad is the worst as it mirrors a disturbing past of beauty ideals shaped by racism When Sydney Sweeney 's Good Genes American Eagle ad popped up on my feed, I couldn't help but feel this ad was more than just a play on words. In what Donald Trump is calling the "the hottest ad out there", the blonde hair blued eyed Euphoria star is dressed in double denim. Deadpan, she says: 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality, and even eye colour. My jeans are blue.' A voiceover follows: 'Sydney Sweeney has great genes.' Elsewhere, billboard show Sydney lounging in her Canadian tuxedo with the words: 'Sydney Sweeney has great genes.' The word 'genes' is crossed out and replaced with 'jeans.' The backlash has been loud. Some people praised it as a 'clever' bit of wordplay, nothing to be offended by. But I see it as a nod to the eugenics ideology, the belief that the human race could be 'improved' by promoting certain traits - traits historically tied to whiteness. Let me be clear: There's nothing great about recycling a slogan that sounds like it's been lifted from eugenics for dummies. When I compare all three, the Sydney Sweeney ad feels the most blatant. There's nothing to decode. It's bold, it's polished, and it hits exactly the right nerve to go viral. For American Eagle, the rage bait has paid off, as their stock skyrocketed 28 percent in premarket trading after an $85 million operating loss in Q1, this year, according to INC. I can't help but think the boom American Eagle have experienced off the back of this ad is less about the pretty woman fronting the campaign, and more because it aligned with the values of a growing and vocal, conservative crowd. As debate erupted on TikTok, one viral video says: 'If you're not media illiterate, you probably think this is harmless. However, this perpetuates a long line of racism and eugenics that has been present in not just America but all over the world.' 'In the extremely conservative climate we're in today where right-wing, white nationalism and patriotism is rising, this advert is a dog whistle to the racists out there, confirming their way of thinking and way of life is correct.' But what unsettles me the most is how quick people are to invalidate the message. I've seen messages that claim the advert is "not that deep" and simply "clever marketing". While I can't deny the wordplay is clever, I think this language, imagery and political landscape that we're currently in rubs salt in the wound. It echoes a history where desirability was tied to race, 'purity,' and who society deemed 'naturally beautiful' and, more dangerously, who they believed deserved to reproduce. That is "deep". It's difficult to ignore Sydney's political alignment, too. Her family wearing 'MAGA' style hats reading 'Make 60 great again,' which left fans questioning her political stance and more recently, Florida Department of State records confirmed Sydney registered as a Republican voter in Monroe County on June 14, 2024. Ultimately, this isn't about competitiveness or women tearing women down. It's about holding brands and those in the public eye accountable - especially when they play into dangerous ideologies, intentionally or otherwise. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!