Katy Perry 'rude' behavior during American Idol audition divides viewers

Katy Perry’s critique of an American Idol contestant has divided opinion, with some saying she was right to offer the singer a bit of feedback and others saying it would make them cry.

The resurfaced clip has come to light after Perry was accused of 'bullying' a contestant on the most recent series of American Idol.

Mom-of-three Sara Beth Liebe said she was 'hurt' and 'embarrassed' after Perry made an ill-advised joke about her being a young mom in her audition. Sara went on to quit the show in the next round.

And now, fans have singled out another moment they believe the judge was overly harsh to an American Idol contestant.

You can see how that went down here:

In the resurfaced clip, a bare-foot contestant named Erika Perry (who we can safely assume is no relation to Katy) can be seen standing on stage performing her version of 'Valerie' - originally sung by The Zutons, but then more famously covered by the late Amy Winehouse.

Erika, who does have a slightly unique way of singing, kicks off - but soon after she attempts to blast out the first lyrics, Perry interrupts and tells the woman to ‘slow down’.

Barely stopping to pause, Erika continues singing but soon Perry interjects and advises her to ‘say all the words - don’t cut the words off’.

Erika picks back up where she left off, but Perry once again cuts in to tell her to ‘enunciate the words’ - and looks to be getting a little bit exasperated in the process.

The clip was recently shared on TikTok where opinions have been divided, with some viewers saying Perry was doing her job and others saying the criticism would have left them feeling tearful.

American Idol/ABC

One person wrote: “This is when they think you have potential and want to help you. Take it as a compliment.”

Another said: “I mean, they added like four extra syllables per word. Katy had a point.”

While someone else commented: “I think ‘cause she could tell she actually had a good voice but was ruining it.”

A fourth person said simply: “Katy was so right for that.”

However, others admitted that they wouldn’t have been happy if they were in the singer’s shoes… not that she’s wearing any shoes, but you get my point, right?

American Idol/ABC

“I would have started crying,” one honest soul admitted.

While someone else commented: “Damn, she didn’t let her finish? I would have just walked away, like, that’s so unnecessary.”

“She comes off so brash,” said another.

“You can critique someone and have them sing it again without disrespecting all the work they did to prepare something by interrupting EACH LINE,” said someone else.

Either way, it appeared the judge heard something she liked, because Erika went through thanks to a Golden Ticket to Hollywood from Perry and fellow judge Lionel Richie - however, she didn’t make it any further than Hollywood Week.