Viewers were left shocked on Sunday night after American Idol contestant, Sara Beth Liebe, announced that she has decided to leave the show on the first episode of Hollywood week.
The contestant took the stage to perform The Police’s song “Roxanne” before revealing the sudden news.
“This opportunity is really rad but this is actually going to be my last performance ’cause my heart’s at home, so I’m gonna get home to my babies. They kinda need me,” she told the judges.
Idol judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie were left confused as Liebe fled the stage, only to be brought back out to hopefully be persuaded differently.
“Life is scary,” Perry went on to tell Liebe. “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. 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.”
Regardless of Perry’s attempt, Liebe had settled on her decision to leave.
“I feel like I’m not gonna win the show anyway, so I might as well go home. Seeing all the talent, a big part of me feels like I’m not cut out for show business,” she told a producer.
Liebe goes on to talk about her decision to exit the competition by saying, “I’m really humbled and grateful and Katy had some really nice things to say.” “
“It’d be nice if my kids were a little older. I understand how big of an opportunity this is, I still kind of want to go home. I’m sure that when I get home I’ll regret it. I’ll probably go damn Sara you should’ve stayed and you should’ve done it.”
@sarabethliebe Well. I didnt think id be making this video, but i just wanted to say a couple things since im being flooded with articles and comments/messages about this.
♬ original sound – Sara Beth
Sara Beth Liebe’s exit of the show follows after judge Katy Perry recieved backlash for “mom-shaming” Liebe during her audition.
During her audition, the judges were surprised to find out that the singer was 25 years old, saying she could pass for 16. However, they were even more shocked to find out that Liebe already had 3 children at her age.
Perry stood up from her chair and jokingly acted like she was going to fall back on the judge’s table.
“If Katy lays on the table, I think I’m gonna pass out,” Liebe joked.
“Honey, you’ve been laying on the table too much,” Perry commented.
After the episode aired, and fans were not happy with Perry’s comments, Liebe shared her thoughts on her TikTok account. She shared that the joke “wasn’t super kind,” and that “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.”
