Weird Al Yankovic’s ‘Yoda’ Duet With Autistic Girl Will Melt Your Heart
Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars returned last night (March 8) with a bang and an amazing performance by autistic singer Jodi DiPiazza and 'Weird Al' Yankovic.
You might recognize Jodi DiPiazza from the last Night of Too Many Stars when she performed "Firework" with Katy Perry. This year the pianist and singer, who was diagnosed with autism when she was 2 years old, was joined by 'Weird Al' Yankovic. The two performed a rendition of Yankovic's song "Yoda," a parody of the The Kinks' 1971 hit "Lola." Weird Al gets brownie points for sporting that amazing Jedi costume. DiPiazza looked classy in her red dress and elbow-length gloves. For the finale the duo was joined by the Actionplay Chorus. You can watch the video below.
Jodi DiPiazza is quite accomplished at just 13 years old. Aside from studying music, piano and composition, she attends the Mannes College of Music Preparatory Division and wrote the theme song for a Toys R Us autism fundraiser in 2011, when she was only nine-years-old.
Comedy Central's biennial telethon, which started in 2006, has raised more than $18 million for autism educational programs. Emceed again this year by Jon Stewart, the night was star studded and laugh-packed and featured a special musical performance by Jon Bon Jovi. The singer brought his 1986 hit "Wanted Dead or Alive" to the stage, alongside a motley crew of backup singers that included Will Forte, Gilbert Gottfried, Al Roker and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.