Katy Perry is one of the reasons people turn in to see American Idol, but on Sunday, some fans changed their tune. During the most recent episode of the reality show, people have complained that the Teenage Dream singer wasn’t so nice to a contestant. Social media lit up criticizing Perry for “mom-shaming” Sara Beth Liebe, 25-years-old with three young kids. Some viewers were outraged by the reaction the judge gave when the bubbly red-head California native revealed how many children she has. Perry stood up from her chair, walked over to Luke Bryan and turned away from the stage. She faced the camera and had a look of disbelief. Bryan asks, “Are you ok, Katy?” “No!” she replied. Liebe excitedly says, “If Katy lays on the table I think I’m going to pass out.” Perry shot back, “Honey, you’ve been laying on the table too much!” But, that’s not the only snarky remark. Read on.
Sara Beth Explained Why She Wants to Pursue Music in a Heartfelt Video
In a video that played of Liebe’s family while she was on stage, the mom of three said, “I’m grateful to be able to stay home with my kids pretty much full-time, but when it comes to pursuing music and stuff, this is all brand new.” She added, the last six months is the first time in my life I’ve given myself a moment for me. I’ve decided that enough people have told me ‘you’ve got to do something with your voice.’ After seeing her family Liebe said, “Oh man I’m going to start crying. I miss my kids.”
She’s Not a Musician, But Loves to Sing
“I’m not really much of a musician,” Liebe said when Lionel Richie asked how she went from being a mom to singer. “I like to go to karaoke with my friends and I did a little bit of church choir.” Perry interrupts and asks, “Is this your dream?” “Um,” the seemingly already nervous Liebe muttered. “If it’s not your dream, you might need to leave because there’s a lot of dreams behind you.” “Right,” Liebe says. Literally, I’m still processing. I can’t even answer. Like this is so much,” she says. Perry snaps back, “why don’t you freak us out, Freaky Friday,” before she starts to sing.
Perry Isn’t Impressed with Sara Beth’s First Performance
At the last minute, Liebe changed her song choice. She told the judges, “I was supposed to sing Bennie and the Jets , but my voice is…so now I’m going to sing Amy Winehouse’s You Know I’m No Good and I hope it goes okay,” she said nervously. As she performed, an unimpressed Perry interrupted, “Come on, we need more,” as Liebe continued. Richie clapped for the adorably quirky contestant, but Perry and Bryan did not.
Perry Gives Sara Beth Another Chance
At the end of her performance, Perry demands, “Try Bennie and the Jets!” Bryan chimes in and asks, “What have you got to lose?” Perry responds, “Nothing. It’s not her dream yet.” She added, “Show us what your voice can do. Take it to the limit. No looking back. Say it like it’s your new dream.” A very flustered Sara Beth took Perry’s advice and pushed herself during her second performance of Elton John’s classic hit. “More of that! Hold it out,” Perry instructed, as Liebe sang.
Perry Surprises Everyone with Her Response to Sara Beth
“Accidental American Idol,” Perry called Liebe. “I feel like a comic strip character just came to life,” Perry said after Sara Beth was done. When it came time to decide if Liebe was moving forward, Richie said he was going with his gut” and voted against her because he didn’t think she took the competition seriously. Bryan had the opposite reaction and said, ‘I love you! I love it. I love it because you don’t know what the hell you’re doing here, but you’re a great singer.” He gave her a yes. Then it was all up to Perry. “Look, if it’s not your dream, it’s not gonna go far because I also respect everyone that’s walking through that door who will lay down their life for this golden ticket [to Hollywood],” Perry added about other hopefuls advancing to the next round. “I mean, yeah I guess. Why not?” She ultimately pushed Liebe to the next level. “Sara Beth, you’re in the dream now. Go get your golden ticket,” Perry dismissed Liebe. “Hurry before the dream ends!”
What Fans Said About Perry’s Treatment of Sara Beth
Many people had a lot to say about Perry’s treatment towards the contestant including how she “mom-shamed” and she’s a “bully.” One Twitter user wrote, “I really do not like how Katy Perry just treated Sara Beth on #AmericanIdol I don’t watch this show at all and my tv was already on the channel but what I witnessed was not right. They let Katy Perry bully this woman on live national tv before she even started singing. So ugly.” Another person Tweeted, “Boo to Katy Perry for mom shaming Sara Beth. Insinuating that she has been “laying on the table too much” to have 3 kids by age 25. A young mother following a dream while raising her children should be raised up not put down. #AmericanIdol“. Someone else said, “@katyperry tonight on American idol you kinda me off . Stay at home moms never have time to think of their dreams bc they’re making everyone else’s come true!”