Katy Perry performs ‘Firework’ with autistic ‘tween Jodi DiPiazza
Comedy Central's "Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs" special benefit event taped this week, and in one of the night's most moving moments, autistic youngster Jodi DiPiazza performed with Katy Perry for a rendition of the pop star's hit "Firework."
Jodi was diagnosed with autism around the age of two and upon learning of her disability, her parents were told that there was no cure for their daughter and not to "expect too much."
"Apparently I had never spoken, never made eye contact with anyone, played only by myself, never pointed at anything, cried when I wanted something," the young musician writes on her website. "At three, I struggled with speaking but I could sing ... and I did constantly … It became apparent that I had perfect pitch. I was fortunate to be admitted to the best school for autism in the entire world. I still struggle every day with all the deficits and difficulties that autism brings. It's a full time job. I love making music and I hope that my music makes you feel as happy as music makes me."
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After watching Comedy Central's profile on the brave 11-year-old before her performance with Perry, it's clear to everyone that Jodi has a knack for picking up tunes with ease. As her mother Michelle DiPiazza says in the clip, "anything she would hear on TV or on the radio stations she would just walk over to her keyboard and start playing."
Michelle added: "[Jodi] loves music and I think through music and through songs she's making herself known. She puts everything into it. It's been difficult, hard, but it's amazing how far she's come."
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The video has gone viral since being uploaded to YouTube on Oct. 18, amassing almost 800,000 views at press time and prompting multiple tweets from Perry.
"Jodi is my firework," Perry wrote, later adding, "I will never forget last night. It was the most important moment thus far of what I do."
In 2011, Jodi was selected by Toys "R" Us to compose a song for their fundraising campaign "Be A Hero For Autism" that benefited the organization Autism Speaks. According to Jodi's website, the campaign went on to raise $3 million.
Check out Jodi's contribution to the "Be A Hero For Autism" campaign featured below. Comedy Central's "Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs" airs in Canada on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. ET on The Comedy Network.
