'American Idol' Contestant Bows Out Following Katy Perry's Controversial Remark
An "American Idol" contestant decided to leave the show after a comment made by judge Katy Perry during the audition process. The incident has stirred up controversy, with some viewers criticizing Perry's remark as mom-shaming.
Contestant Sara Beth Departs 'American Idol' In Sunday's episode of "American Idol," contestant Sara Beth, who had successfully passed her initial audition in March, performed The Police's "Roxanne" during the second round of the competition. Her performance impressed the judges, but she surprised them by announcing her departure from the show, citing her embarrassment over Perry's comment during her audition.
Sara Beth explained her decision, saying, "This opportunity is really rad, but this is actually going to be my last performance, because my heart's at home. So, I'm going to get home to my babies. They kind of need me."
Despite Perry's attempts to convince her to stay, Sara Beth remained resolute in her choice. She admitted to not fully understanding the demands of show business and the challenges of being away from her children. Sara Beth reportedly opted to prioritize her family over pursuing her dreams, which she viewed as selfish.
She also expressed doubts about her chances of winning the competition and said she just wanted to return home. The judges informed her that they intended to advance her to Hollywood Week's second round due to her exceptional "Roxanne" performance. However, Sara Beth thanked the judges and acknowledged that she might regret her decision in the future.
During her initial audition, Sara Beth mentioned she had only been taking music seriously for six months and often enjoyed karaoke nights with friends. Judge Lionel Richie had initially given her a "no" during her audition in New Orleans.
Katy Perry's Comment to Sara Beth Perry has been facing criticism since her initial comment to Sara Beth. When the contestant revealed she was 25 years old and had three children, the judges remarked that she looked like a teenager. Sara Beth jokingly said she would faint if Perry were to lay on the table.
Perry responded, "Honey, you've been laying on the table too much." She also questioned Sara Beth about her aspirations and whether music was her dream since the contestant had admitted to having little time for herself.
Perry further warned Sara Beth that if singing wasn't her true passion, she should step aside and allow others to pursue their dreams. She also suggested that Sara Beth should have performed "Benny and the Jets" instead of "You Know I'm No Good." Following her performance, Perry referred to Sara Beth as an "accidental American Idol" who shouldn't continue in the competition if music wasn't her ultimate goal.