David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Katy Perry And Girl With Autism Sing 'Firework', Bring Down House
by Stephanie Haberman
October 19, 2012
Jodi DiPiazza, an adorable 11-year-old girl living with autism, uses music to connect with the world. At Comedy Central's Night Of Too Many Stars, DiPiazza had the chance to show off her talents in a duet with one of her favorite singers, Katy Perry.
In a pretaped video before the performance, her parents shared their experience raising Jodi.
"Anything she would hear on TV or on the radio station, she would would walk over to her keyboard and start playing," DiPiazza's mother said. "She loves music, and I think through music, and through song, she's making herself known."
Her father explained: "We were afraid she would never speak. Never dreaming she would sing, or even be able to understand. I've taken off the idea that there is some limit on her, as she continually proves that that's not true."
The Daily Show's Jon Stewart brought the duo to stage with touching introduction. "People with Autism shouldn't be written off. They deserve, like everyone, the chance to reach their potential," he said. "Let's take a look at what happens when someone actually gets that chance."
The performance brought the house down.
After the song, an elated DiPiazza reacted as any other 11-year-old would — she gave Perry a giant hug, and didn't seem to want to let go. When she finally did, she took a moment to jump for joy.
Perry tweeted later that night:
Katy Perry ✔ @katyperry Follow
I will never forget last night. It was the most important moment thus far of what I do.
7:19 PM - 14 Oct 2012
by Stephanie Haberman
October 19, 2012
Jodi DiPiazza, an adorable 11-year-old girl living with autism, uses music to connect with the world. At Comedy Central's Night Of Too Many Stars, DiPiazza had the chance to show off her talents in a duet with one of her favorite singers, Katy Perry.
In a pretaped video before the performance, her parents shared their experience raising Jodi.
"Anything she would hear on TV or on the radio station, she would would walk over to her keyboard and start playing," DiPiazza's mother said. "She loves music, and I think through music, and through song, she's making herself known."
Her father explained: "We were afraid she would never speak. Never dreaming she would sing, or even be able to understand. I've taken off the idea that there is some limit on her, as she continually proves that that's not true."
The Daily Show's Jon Stewart brought the duo to stage with touching introduction. "People with Autism shouldn't be written off. They deserve, like everyone, the chance to reach their potential," he said. "Let's take a look at what happens when someone actually gets that chance."
The performance brought the house down.
After the song, an elated DiPiazza reacted as any other 11-year-old would — she gave Perry a giant hug, and didn't seem to want to let go. When she finally did, she took a moment to jump for joy.
Perry tweeted later that night:
Katy Perry ✔ @katyperry Follow
I will never forget last night. It was the most important moment thus far of what I do.
7:19 PM - 14 Oct 2012