Liebe performed the song accompanied by a guitar. “Come on; we need more. That’s not enough. Try ‘Benny and the Jets,'” Perry urged, with Bryan echoing her sentiment, asking, “What do you have to lose?” Perry responded, “Nothing. It’s not her dream yet.”
Liebe then delivered a cover of Elton John’s “Bennie and The Jets,” which visibly impressed Perry and the other judges more than her previous performance. Perry enthusiastically hyped her up as Liebe unleashed a flurry of runs, prompting Bryan to stand in his seat. Perry described Liebe as an “accidental American Idol” and compared her to a “comic strip character” coming to life after her performance.
Perry offered Liebe some advice, which sparked backlash online. “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,” she pointed out.
Although Richie rejected Liebe, Bryan and Perry gave her a yes, advancing her to Hollywood Week. However, after the audition aired and the video was uploaded online in March 2023, Perry faced criticism for her alleged mom-shaming remarks.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Liebe expressed how Perry’s comments hurt her. She stated, “It was embarrassing to have that on TV, and it was hurtful. 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.”
On April 3, 2023, the New York Post reported that Liebe left the singing competition. Liebe explained that she has been a mom since she was 18 and didn’t realize “how hard it would be” to be away from her kids. Deciding her heart belonged at home, she chose to prioritize her children.
Whoopi Goldberg showed her support for Liebe on “The View,” acknowledging her decision. Forbes reported that Liebe was “so over” Perry’s mom-shaming remarks and aimed to move past the situation. Liebe simply posted on her Instagram: “What a wild year. Ready to make some music about it.”