Aimee Walker
Katy Perry has been accused of ‘bullying’ an American Idol contestant on live TV.
Perry, 38, is one of the world’s biggest pop stars and is known for hits such as ‘Dark Horse’, ‘Firework’ and ‘California Gurls’.
She’s been a regular judge on the singing competition show American Idol since season 16 and in the most recent series, 25-year-old mum-of-three Sara Bethe Liebe auditions.
While she receives praise for her musical talents, she also receives some stern advice from Perry.
Watch the moment unfold here…
Perry, who is a judge alongside Lionel Richie, 73, and Luke Bryan, 46, asks the contestant: “Is this your dream?”
She then adds: “If it’s not your dream, you might need to leave because there’s a lot of dreams behind you.”
The young mum sings Amy Winehouse’s ‘You Know I’m No Good’ and during her performance, Perry calls out: “Come on, we need more.”
When Liebe is finished singing, the ‘Last Friday Night’ artist comments: “That’s not enough.
“Try ‘Bennie and The Jets’.”
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Perry adds that the mum has nothing to lose because it’s ‘not her dream yet’.
She says to Liebe: “Sing it like it’s your new dream.”
While the 25-year-old sings the second song – incorporating Perry’s advice – the pop star continues to call out, yelling: “More of that! Hold it out.”
At the end of Liebe’s performance, Perry says: “I feel like a comic strip character just came to life,” while Bryan gushes that he ‘loves’ her performance.
Perry then tells the young mum: “Look, if it’s not your dream, it’s not gonna go far because I also respect everyone that’s walking through that door who will lay down their life for this golden ticket [to Hollywood].”
While Bryan and Perry vote Liebe through to the next round, Richie goes with his ‘gut’ and votes against her.
Dismissing the mum, the ‘Roar’ singer says: “Sara Beth, you’re in the dream now.
“Go get your golden ticket. Hurry before the dream ends.”
After watching the show, many viewers have taken to social media and accused Perry of ‘bullying’ the young mum, while also criticising her feedback.
One person writes: “First I thought Katy was right about not wanting to be here, like she wasn’t taking it seriously, but now I understand her feelings as a young mom of three.
“She’s still finding herself, and she’s remaining humble. Katy needs to be more understanding, especially being a mom of a young one herself.”
Another adds: “Beautiful voice, Katy’s comments were uncalled for.”
Somebody else comments: “Honestly, she has one of the best voices I have ever heard, but Katy Perry was pushing it.”
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“I really do not like how Katy Perry just treated Sara Beth on American Idol I don’t watch this show at all and my TV was already on the channel but what I witnessed was not right,” a fourth person pens.
“They let Katy Perry bully this woman on live national TV before she even started singing. So ugly.”
However, others have taken to the comments and defended Perry’s judging style.
“Being honest is now bullying,” one person remarks.
While a second says: “Katy Perry judging a contestant and a show that judges contestants? Shocking. Ever heard of Simon Cowell?”
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