‘American Idol’ contestant who was mom-shamed by Katy Perry leaves the show

The American Idol hopeful who got mom-shamed by Katy Perry has decided to leave the reality competition. 

Sara Beth Liebe made the announcement in the first episode of Hollywood Week, where she sang Roxanne by The Police. “This opportunity is really rad but this is actually going to be my last performance because my heart’s at home, so I’m gonna get home to my babies. They kinda need me,” the contestant said after her performance, leaving judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan confused and surprised.

“Life is scary. I also know that it’s easier to walk away than to be rejected, but then I also know that you lose out on your fullest potential,” Perry told Liebe. 

“I know that you love your family for your kids, I know that as a mother, but remember, self-love is just as big as motherly love. Don’t leave the competition,” the renowned singer added. To which, Liebe replied with a “thank you.” 

In a televised conversation with one of the show’s producers, Liebe said she felt like she was not going to win the talent tilt. Perry tried to convince Liebe to stay, but the latter already made a firm decision about her exit. 

Liebe’s audition made the rounds online in late March as she called out Perry over her “hurtful” joke about her being a young mom of three. After revealing she’s only 25 years old, all three judges gave a “surprised” reaction as Bryan fanned Perry as a joke.

“If Katy lays on the table, I think I’m going to pass out,” Liebe said. To which, Katy replied: “Honey, you’ve been laying on the table too much.”

Liebe called the celebrity judge out in a TikTok video later on and said she found Perry’s remarks “embarrassing” and “hurtful.”

“I think that women supporting and uplifting other women is so cool and I think that mom-shaming is super lame and I think that it’s hard enough to be a mom and it’s hard enough to be a woman,” she said.