No one doubts that Katy Perry's "Firework" has become one of the most popular self-empowerment anthems of all time. Jodi DiPiazza, an autistic 11-year-old piano student, reminds us why.
In a video released of Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars benefit for autism, which took place last Saturday but airs this weekend, DiPiazza, performed the pop star's hit while playing the piano. Soon after DiPiazza began, Perry walked on stage to join her young fan in a duet.
After their duet ended, DiPiazza stepped away from the keyboard and wrapped both her arms around Perry's waist while the audience leapt to a standing ovation and host Jon Stewart wiped tears from his eyes.
"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever been associated with," comedian Robert Smigel, the producer of Night of Too Many Stars, said to the Associated Press. "I've made a career of all this nonsense -- and I'm very proud of it -- but it all pales in comparison to what happened Saturday."
In a video shown before the performance, DiPiazza's parents described how, after Jodi was diagnosed with autism at age 2, they feared she would never speak. This week, however, DiPiazza showed the potential that autism therapy can unlock.
After the taping, Perry tweeted, "I will never forget last night. It was the most important moment thus far of what I do."
Night of Too Many Stars airs Sunday, Oct. 21 at 8:00 p.m. EST on Comedy Central.
Watch the clip of Jodi and Katy singing.
