Featured Image Credit: ABC
Topics: Katy Perry, Music, TV And Film, TikTok, American Idol
Emily Brown
The American Idol contestant who called out Katy Perry for 'mom shaming' her during her audition has explained why she decided to leave the show.
Sarah Beth Liebe, 25, went viral after she responded to Perry's comments in a TikTok video, where she explained she'd been met with surprise when she told the American Idol judges about her three children.
When the mum mentioned her three kids, Perry stood up out of her seat and said: "Honey, you been laying on the table too much."
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Sarah described the comment as 'embarrassing', adding 'mom shaming is super lame', but she went on to perform in front of the judges again on Sunday (2 April) after passing her first audition.
She wowed the judges with her performance of 'Roxanne' by The Police, but abruptly announced her exit from the show, after finishing the song, as she admitted she didn't realise 'how hard it would be' to be away from her kids.
"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," she said.
The decision stunned the judges and viewers, with Perry doing her best to convince Sarah to stay, but she refused to change her mind.
Amid the confusion, Sarah took to TikTok this week to offer a further explanation for her departure.
She shared a clip of herself reacting to the standing ovations she'd received after performing 'Roxanne', writing: "I don't normally share videos like this but I wanted to share this moment from right after my audition when I was having a literal panic attack because I was so overwhelmed with gratitude and shock."
Sarah explained that she faced a 'big decision' when it came to leaving the show, but pointed out that she had been 'scouted to audition' for American Idol.
"They reached out to me. And I'm so GRATEFUL. I've never had this much support with singing," she said.
Sarah described the experience as 'mindblowing', but while it's made her realise 'how badly' she wants to do music, she had to make the choice that was 'best for her'.
"I took a chance on something big and said yes to a huge and VERY UNEXPECTED opportunity that was presented to me, and while it may not have been for me - in the process found myself again," Sarah said.
Though she won't be returning to American Idol, Sarah plans to continue releasing new music through her own platforms.