Katy Perry Takes Cheerleader With Down Syndrome to AMAs
KNXV/ABC News
A cheerleader with Down syndrome whose high school came in as a runner-up in the ' Good Morning America's 'Roar' With Katy Perry Contest," got the ultimate consolation prize by attending the American Music Awards on Sunday with Perry herself.
Watch the 'Roar' Video Starring Megan Squire
Megan Squire, 17, caught Perry's eye earlier this year when her high school, Verrado High School in Buckeye, Ariz., made Squire's inspirational story of fulfilling her dream to become a cheerleader the focus of their video for the "GMA" contest, which featured a live concert by the "Roar" singer as the grand prize.
Squire's school did not win- the honor went to a Lakewood High School in Colorado instead-but Perry was so touched by Squire's story that she invited the cheerleader to attend one of her upcoming concerts as a special guest.
"I want to bring Megan to a special event this fall with me as my date. … It's going to be very exciting. We are going to get dressed up," Perry told the teen when she announced the winner on "GMA" in October. "I just want to celebrate her and hear her roar in person. Megan, thank you so much. I love you. I love your spirit. You have really inspired me."
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Squire's consolation prize became an even bigger deal when Perry instead flew Squire and her entire family - plus Clayton Mueller, the student who directed the school's video - from Arizona to Los Angeles to attend the star-studded awards show as her guests.
"For someone like Katy Perry to tell her that she's amazing in somewhat surreal," Squire's mother, Kimberly, told local ABC affiliate KNXV.
Squire's father, Michael, agreed.
"What a fantastic honor for Megan and how sensitive of Katy Perry," he said in an interview with "Good Morning America."
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Squire and her family got to walk the red carpet alongside Hollywood's biggest stars. Squire even sat right behind Lady Gaga to watch as Perry, wearing a geisha-inspired outfit, opened the AMAs with her song "Unconditionally."