Katy Perry is facing backlash from some American Idol viewers for what they consider to be inappropriate behavior on the show. The viewers have made comments on social media that Perry was both “condescending” and “rude” towards contests on the series, in addition to having made a “mom-shaming” joke.
The aforementioned joke occurred when 25-year-old contestant Sara Beth Liebe, mother of three, took to the stage. The judges all thought she looked as young as 16-years-old. It was when she revealed to have had three children, however, that the judges were stunned. Katy Perry in particular looked the most shocked, and Leibe responded with the following:
“If Katy lays on the table, I think I’m going to pass out,” she said with a laugh. Katy Perry then gave a response, however, that had American Idol viewers upset with her attempt at “mom-shaming.” Perry exclaimed the following:
“Honey, you’ve been laying on the table too much!”
This resulted in some comments on a recent post from American Idol on Instagram:
“Katy is acting so rude. I might boycott the show for a bit.”
“She is so inappropriate towards contestants. If she were a man saying the same things and acting the same way she would have been gone years ago.”
“Katy, a successful woman and a Mom…I was disappointed to hear you shaming another woman with children and trying to follow her dream. She is young woman ŵho should have had your support not your rude shaming comment. Yes, you supposedly tried to get her to stay but I am sure she will never forget how you made her feel in that moment. If that were your daughter how would you have felt. Curb those kinds of comments…there are alot of young girls that look up to you.”
“Having katy on American Idol is the worst decision the show has made. Bullying potential contestants, and now mom shaming a woman for having 3 kiddos at a young age and telling her she has been laying on the table too much?? Really American Idol THIS kind of bulls**t is what you endorse? This is who you want representing your show? Its gross and disgusting!! I have stopped watching since putting her on there and her ignorant bull crap that spews out of her mouth. And Katy…well your no prize winning mother either when you’re away from your child more then around.”
“Katy is so rude and condescending to the contestants unless it’s a male cutie then she acts like a teenage fool. One contestant quit because of her, bye bye Katy!”
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Perry’s joke was also met with similar comments on Twitter:
Katy Perry was indeed rude to this young lady. Rude, condescending and just plain nasty. #KatyPerry is why many people stopped watching #AmericanIdol. I guess to Katy, a woman can’t do it all. Sara is talented and I loved her performance but I will not watch her journey.
— tweetypiela (@tweetypiela) March 22, 2023
@katyperry so disappointed in your comment to Sara Beth. Seeing women put down other women like that is horrible. Her voice is beautiful. Pretty trashy of you.
— Never Vote Conservative (@hatterstudios) March 21, 2023
I really do not like how Katy Perry just treated Sara Beth on #AmericanIdol I don’t watch this show at all and my tv was already on the channel but what I witnessed was not right. They let Katy Perry bully this woman on live national tv before she even started singing. So ugly.
— Maven_Star (@EyezrStarry) March 6, 2023
@katyperry hasn’t been passing the “vibe check” these days and it’s sad 🥴#katyperry#AmericanIdol
— AngryScottishLass (@AngryScottishL) March 23, 2023
just started watching american idol again last night and like… katy perry is so rude and insufferable???? how is she a judge????
— mo🫶🏼 (@morganannwendt) March 22, 2023
Of course, with this much attention, Sara Beth took to her own social media account on Instagram to release a statement. Here’s what she had to say about Katy Perry’s “mom-shaming” incident:
“There was a joke that was made that’s gotten some attention, and I’ve gotten a lot of people reaching out to me asking how I’m feeling,” she said.
“At the start of my audition before I sang, I mentioned that I have three children and was a young mother, and Katy Perry made a joke that wasn’t super kind.”
Sara Beth continued: “It was embarrassing to have that on TV, and it was hurtful and that’s that. But I did want to take this opportunity to just say that 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 later gave the following statement:
“I don’t have anything else to say on this matter. I’m not even mad,” she said. “If you watch my videos you’d know that I’m not even mad. I’m just trying to do music.”
She continued, “I did not ask for any of this to happen. This was not a ploy on my end. Like, this is ridiculous… I’m so over it. No more.”
It’s likely that everyone involved with the American Idol situation wants to move on at this point. And, for Sara Beth, it looks like she’s doing just that. As for Katy Perry, it looks like some fans are upset with her alleged behavior, but others have continued to support the celebrity and her actions. As such, we’ll see if anything else comes of this scenario. For now, though, one can only hope Sara Beth finds success with her music endeavors.
Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any potential updates on this situation as we have them.