Sara Beth Liebe, a former contestant on American Idol, made news earlier this week after being ‘mom-shamed’ by Idol judge Katy Perry. The 25-year-old mom of three had made it to week two of the singing competition show when she announced after her performance of “Roxanne” by The Police that she would be going home to her kids. Citing she didn’t feel like she “fit the mold” of show business to stick around.
Katy Perry seemed to have a problem with the young mom who choose to have multiple children at Liebe’s first audition. The whole ordeal with Perry led to a full-blown controversy. Perry serves as a judge in the popular show and the incident occurred during an episode that aired in March. Contestant Sara Beth was introducing herself to the judges when she mentioned that she was 25 years old and had 3 children. All of the judges responded with stunned reactions and Perry pretended to faint backward onto the table. Sara Beth quipped, “If Katy lays on the table, I think I’m going to pass out.” Perry responded, “Honey, you’ve been laying on the table too much.” You can watch that clip below.
The comment brought immediate backlash and many labeled the joke as ‘mom-shaming.’ “Boo to Katy Perry for mom shaming Sara Beth,” one viewer wrote. “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.”
Though during the following, 2nd episode, of the show Sara Beth went home. She explained after her performance of “Roxanne” that that performance would be her last. As she stated, “This opportunity is really awesome, but this is actually going to be my final performance because my heart is at home.” Thus, I will return to my children at home. I suppose they need me. I’m grateful.”
Perry, who seemed to be her biggest critic in the previous episode begged Liebe to stay and compete but to no avail, the mom of three went home to her babies.
