Sara Beth, the young mother of three who called out Katy Perry for “mom-shaming” her on American Idol, abruptly quit the show Sunday.
The 25-year-old didn’t cite Perry’s comments as the reason for her departure, instead she told the judges her young children needed her at home.
“This opportunity is really rad, but this is actually going to be my last performance, because my heart’s at home. So, I’m going get home to my babies. They kind of need me.”
Despite pleas from Perry, also a mother, Sara Beth ultimately decided it was time for her to leave the competition.
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When viewers first met Sara Beth she was a spunky redhead who shared she had three children. Her confession confused the judges as they all believed she was a high school student.
Upon realizing Sara wasn’t lying about her age Perry attempted to make a joke by pretending to faint on the judges’ table.
“If Katy lays on the table, I think I’m going to pass out,” Sara joked. “Honey, you been laying on the table too much!” Perry replied.
At the time Sara appeared to go along with the comment, but following her appearance, she posted a TikTok calling out the superstar.
“It was embarrassing to have that on TV,” Sara said. “And it was hurtful.”
“I did want to take this opportunity to say that I think that women supporting and uplifting other women is so cool, and I think that mom shaming is super lame.”
Even though Sara’s desire to be in the competition was initially questioned, she made it to Hollywood. But once she made it to Hollywood Week where she was mentored by 2003 runner-up Clay Aiken, she began to waver.
“I don’t even really know what show business is … I’ve been a mom since I was 18, I’ve been married since I was 18. I don’t feel like I fit the mold. I don’t think I realized quite how hard it would be to be away from my kids,” she said in a confessional.
She went on stage and performed “Roxanne,” but then stunned everyone by saying it was her last performance. She decided she was going home.
The judges, Perry especially, tried to get her to stay, but no amount of convincing could have changed Sara’s mind. It was already made up.
“I’m really humbled and grateful and Katy had some nice things to say. It’d be nice if my kids were a little older,” she said in another confessional. “I understand how big of an opportunity this is, I still kinda want to go home. I’m sure that when I get home, I’ll regret it. I’ll probably go, ‘damn it, Sara, you should have stayed and you should have done it.’ “
Unless you’ve been on a reality show not only is it hard to imagine the pressure you’re subjected to, but it’s extremely difficult envision life without your children, especially when they’re so young.
Whether you agree or disagree with Sara Beth’s decision to leave the show, in the end she did what she felt was right for her and her family.
