A 16-year-old sang her heart out on ‘American Idol’— but Katy Perry’s reply left everyone fuming
In March 2023, Paige Anne, a 16-year-old, appeared on American Idol season 22 and performed 'What About Us.' Before going to the stage, she offered her self-made ice cream to the judges, saying, "This is my signature flavor called the Sour Patch Kid." She added, "It has raspberry, with watermelon and sour spray," before Katy replied, "Oh," as she sampled the snow cones. At the performance's end, Katy Perry said, "That end stuff? That was the sour patch. That was the finishing touch, which made it you." She added, "In the beginning, it was just ice. Not a whole lot of flavor," she told Anne on the show.
Further dismissing the hopeful 16-year-old, Perry said: "It was a real, like, 'She's not ready,' and then at the end, it was like, 'Oh, OK! She may be able to compete." Although Anne got a late "yes" from Bryan, even Richie, who noted that she was nervous, ended up giving her a "yes." However, Perry persisted and said, "You need to be motivated and grow at light speed. People only get one moment sometimes. I don't think you're ready yet. It's a no for me for American Idol."
Fans were furious and quick to criticize the singer in the YouTube comment sections. Per GoodHouseKeeping, one said, "I can’t believe [Katy] said no. The imperfections were even beautiful; that girl has soul!!!" one person wrote. "I’m super shocked Katy said she isn’t ready! I know it’s not all about the voice, but her voice is one of the best in the competition! That is a winning voice!” another added. "I’d listen to her songs. SHE’S SO GOOD, KATY, ARE YOU OKAY?!?!"
However, this isn't the first time Katy Perry has fallen prey to criticism. According to Fox News, Perry had been accused of mom-shaming a contestant, Beth Liebe. After her performance, the 'California Gurls' singer asked her if singing was her dream. Liebe had revealed that being a mother hadn’t left her much time for herself and that she was trying for the first time outside of karaoke and church choir. If it’s not your dream, you might need to leave because there are a lot of dreams behind you," Perry told Liebe, referring to other contestants waiting to sing. Per Billboard, Liebe shared her side of the story on TikTok, saying that it was “embarrassing to have that on TV.” She continued. “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.”
Recently, on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' Perry opened up about leaving 'American Idol' ahead of season 23. She said, “I mean, I love Idol so much; it’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my beat.” According to People, reflecting on Carrie Underwood, Perry said, "She was born on that show. I think she knows how to steer it."