Mom quits American Idol for kids after awkward reaction
Sara Beth Leibe, a 25-year-old mother of three from Roseville, California, made a lasting impression on American Idol judges during her first audition. Despite making it through to Hollywood Week, she surprisingly quit the show after Katy Perry’s comments.
Was Sara Beth ‘mom-shamed’ by Katy Perry? Let’s take a closer look at what happened.
Sara Beth’s Audition
During her audition, Sara Beth sang an Amy Winehouse song and Elton John’s Bennie and the Jets. Her performances were impressive enough to get her through to Hollywood Week. However, it was Katy Perry’s comments that caught viewers’ attention.
Upon learning that Sara Beth had three children, Katy Perry stood up and pretended to faint. She also made a comment about Sara Beth “laying on the table too much” and called her “Freaky Friday.” Although Sara Beth appeared to take it all in good humor, some viewers accused Katy Perry of mom-shaming her.
Sara Beth’s Last Performance
During Hollywood Week, Sara Beth received some confidence tips from former American Idol winner Clay Aiken. She then went on stage and sang Roxanne by The Police. However, she shocked the judges by announcing that it would be her last performance on the show.
Sara Beth explained that she needed to go home to her children, who “kinda need” her. Lionel Richie and Katy Perry were visibly surprised by her decision, with Katy insisting that they would “figure this out.”
Sara Beth’s Instagram Post
After her exit from the show, Sara Beth took to Instagram to share a photo of herself on American Idol. She captioned it: “What a wild year. Ready to make some music about it.” It remains to be seen whether she will pursue a career in music or focus on her family.
Final Thoughts
Whether or not Katy Perry’s comments constituted mom-shaming is a matter of interpretation. However, it is clear that Sara Beth’s decision to quit the show was a difficult one, and it was motivated by her desire to be with her children.
It is commendable that American Idol gave Sara Beth the opportunity to showcase her talent, and it is unfortunate that she had to leave the show prematurely. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.