Katy Perry's Moving Duet With Autistic Girl

Warning: this post may cause wetness of the cheeks due to excessively leaky eyes. 

As a promotional clip for its upcoming Night of Too Many Stars, Comedy Central posted a touching video of Katy Perry singing an on-stage duet with an autistic fan named Jodi DiPiazza.

In the run-up to the performance we are introduced to Jodi's parents, who explain that she was diagnosed with autism just before her second birthday. 

"All these dreams we had for her, I had for her, all of a sudden they vanished," says her mother in a sentiment echoed by so many parents who have learned a child has been diagnosed. 

Plus: Diagnosing Autism in Babies and Toddlers

Home movies show Jodi as a toddler with severe emotional and communication difficulties. She is alternately withdrawn, volatile and unreachable.

But through hours of intensive therapy, Jodi gradually came out of her shell. And her parents and therapists noticed that music was a particular balm for her. 

"We were afraid she would never speak, never dreaming she would sing or even be able to understand," says her father. 

Not only can she speak and sing today, but she plays the piano exceptionally well.

And here, in the scene stealing coup de grace, she gets to sing a duet with her favorite pop star, Katy Perry. 

Hosted by Jon Stewart, the Night of Too Many Stars airs on October 21 and features comedians and musicians together in support of autism programs, schools and services all over the country. 

Jodi is a remarkable success story, the direct result of the kind of support and awareness the Night of Too Many Stars seeks to raise. And the duet with Perry is hugely heartwarming. The song's lyrics  -- "Baby you're a firework, come on show 'em what you're worth" -- take on an added layer of poignancy here. 

And for the record, we're definitely not crying. We just have something caught in our eye. 

Plus: Katy Perry's "Sexy" Performance Cut from Sesame Street

Will you be tuning in on Oct 21? Watch and let us know what you think of the clip.