Last weekend, Katy Perry tweeted “I will never forget last night. It was the most important moment thus far of what I do.”
Perry was referring to her duet performance of “Firework” with Jodi DiPiazza the previous evening. DiPiazza’s not a musical legend or one of Perry’s inspirations, but an 11-year-old girl living with autism who has found a strong connection to music.
The performance was recorded for Comedy Central’s Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs, which will premiere on Sunday night at 8/7c. The fourth biennial TV event is a benefit procured by Jon Stewart’s Busboy Productions, along with Comedy Central. Jon Stewart will host the night of skits, performances, and digital shorts focused on raising money for autistic children in need of service.
Jon Stewart introduces the young girl, saying “People with autism shouldn’t be written off. They deserve, like everyone, the chance to reach their potential. Let’s take a look at what happens when someone actually gets that chance.”
A pre-taped video preludes Perry’s performance with Jodi, showing home videos from Jodi’s childhood as well as interviews with her parents. When Jodi’s parents were told that their daughter, not yet two years old, was diagnosed with autism, the doctor said “not to expect too much,” from Jodi. “All these dreams we had for her, I had for her, all of a sudden, they vanished,” said Jodi’s mom, Michelle DiPiazza.
Autism is a disorder that still mystifies the medical world. Doctors don’t know what causes it, nor is there a known cure. The symptoms of autism include impaired social interaction and communication. Jodi’s parents were worried that their daughter would never even speak, and then she displayed a distinct interest in music, and learned how to play the piano.
“I’ve taken off the idea that there is some limit on her, as she continually proves that’s not true,” said Tom DiPiazza, Jodi’s father.
As Jodi plays the beginning notes of “Firework” on her piano, as well as sings the first verse, her eyes light up and she becomes visibly pleased as the audience cheers her on. Perry joins her for the chorus, singing a toned-down vocal version of her hit song, sharing the limelight with Jodi. “Firework” was a fitting choice for the evening, as it sheds light on overcoming differences and obstacles in light of outsiders’ judgments.
After the performance, Jodi gives Katy Perry a lasting hug, her excitement shared with everyone in the audience, who rose to their feet for a deafening standing ovation.
