Singer quits ‘American Idol’ despite pleas from judges

Sarah Beth LoveThe latest “American Idol” performance took an unexpected turn.

After performing The Police’s “Roxanne,” 25-year-old singer Liebe from California got an enthusiastic response from the show’s judges and “Idol” contestants seated in the audience. Before that moment on the show, Liebe — who had no musical experience beyond karaoke and singing in church choirs — had been working with her mentor, 2003 “Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken, to develop her Confidence.

She delivered.

During the first round of Hollywood Week, which aired on April 2, the judges were clearly impressed with Liebe’s performance. But when the applause died down, mother-of-three Liebe dropped a bombshell.

“This opportunity is really great, but it’s actually going to be my last performance,” she told the show’s judges, per Entertainment Weekly“My heart is at home, so I’m going home to take care of my kids. They kind of need me.”

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Sara Beth Liebe to drop out of ‘American Idol’ 2023

Before the show, Liebe told producers that she had been struggling with her “Idol” competition while away from her family.

“I didn’t even know what show business was,” she told producers, according to The new york post, adding that she doesn’t think she fits the mold of the music industry. “I’ve been a mom since I was 18. I’ve been married since I was 18.”

“I don’t think I fully realize how hard it would be to leave my kids behind,” she added, according to reports Entertainment Weekly“They’re all young. … There’s a lot of guilt when you leave your kids to do something totally selfish. I’m just trying to keep my head above water.”

But as she wraps up the first part of Hollywood Week, Liebe appears to have firmed up her decision to call it quits and go home. The judges didn’t let her go without a fight, though.

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After revealing that Liebe had won his seat in the next round, Perry— who gets a lot of criticism For the way she treated Liebe during her audition – begging the 25-year-old singer to stay on “Idol.”

“Life is scary,” Perry said, according to deadline“I also know that it’s easier to leave than to be rejected, but I also know that you’ve lost your highest potential. I know you love your family, you love your children – as a mother, I know that. But remember , self-love is as important as maternal love. Don’t leave the game.”

While Liebe said she appreciated Perry’s words and acknowledged that she might later regret her decision, the singer insisted she needed to go home, noting that it could have turned out better if her kids were a little older.

Liebe elaborates on her decision Share a video on TikTok Shortly after the show aired. In the video, she states that she didn’t seek an audition for “Idol,” but she was actually “discovered” and contacted by the show’s producers.

“Sometimes you have big opportunities and situations where we have to make big decisions,” Liebe said in the video, according to The new york post“I’m grateful. I’ve never had so much support for singing. It’s exciting, so humbling, and made me realize how much I want to make music. Six months ago, I didn’t know that. But I can, too.” Making tough choices that are best for me.

“I took a chance at something big and took a huge, very unexpected opportunity, and while it might not have been for me, in the process I found myself again with the most talented It was an honor to meet people together, many of whom are now close friends and have fallen in love with music all over again,” she continues.

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Sara Beth Liebe to audition for 2023 ‘American Idol’

Liebe’s audition for “American Idol” garnered a lot of attention — both positive and negative.

During her audition, the singer sang two songs: Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m Bad” and Elton John’s “Benny and the Jets.” While viewers praised the singer’s vibrant personality and distinctive voice, they took a ton of criticism from the show’s judges — notably Katy Perry, who opened what Liebe later dubbed a “hurt People” joke, calling Liebe a 25-year-old mother of three, desert news previously reported.

“It’s embarrassing and hurtful to have this on TV,” Liebe said in a TikTok video shared after receiving a lot of news about the audition. per person“I think it’s pretty cool for women to support and lift up other women, and I think mom-shaming is super lame.”

Liebe’s audition has over 2 million views on YouTube. While her time on “Idol” is over, Liebe isn’t done with music. The singer recently announced that she will be releasing her original song “Bruises,” “soon,” billboard reports.