A former “American Idol” contestant, once recognized for sharing an on-camera kiss with pop star Katy Perry, is now facing serious allegations for much darker reasons.
Benjamin Glaze, now 26, has been charged with possession of child sexual abuse material, according to authorities in Oklahoma.
Glaze first gained attention at age 19 when he appeared on “American Idol” to audition in front of judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Perry.
During his audition, a brief kiss between him and Perry became a viral moment before he performed “Levels” by Nick Jonas.
The Tulsa Police Department recently shared news of Glaze’s arrest on Facebook.
“In April 2024, the Tulsa Police Sexual Predator/Digital Evidence Recovery Unit (Spider Unit) received a tip about illegal activities involving Benjamin Glaze, a 26-year-old male from Tulsa,” their statement revealed. “The information pointed to Glaze being in possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).”
After obtaining a search warrant, investigators seized a smartphone containing over 700 images and videos of this nature. Glaze was arrested on Friday and taken to the Tulsa County Jail, where he posted a $50,000 bond the following day.
Under Oklahoma law, he faces potentially lifelong imprisonment for aggravated possession of child pornography.
These charges present a stark contrast to the innocent image Glaze once portrayed as a hopeful contestant on the long-running singing competition.
During his memorable audition, Glaze stood before the panel of judges and was teased by Bryan, who asked if he had ever “kissed a girl and liked it,” alluding to Perry’s hit song “I Kissed a Girl.” Glaze replied that he hadn’t, explaining that he had never been in a relationship and wouldn’t kiss someone without being in one.
This led Perry to playfully invite him over for a cheek kiss, which he shyly delivered. Afterward, she jokingly critiqued him for not making a sound during the kiss and urged him to try again. When he did, she surprised him by turning her face, resulting in an unplanned kiss on the lips.
Glaze’s over-the-top reaction of dramatically falling to the floor left the judges laughing and Perry celebrating with a victory gesture.
However, despite the light-hearted exchange, Glaze’s singing performance did not earn him a spot in the next round.
When the episode aired, Perry’s kiss garnered some backlash. While many found it harmless, some viewers voiced concerns, particularly in the context of the Me Too movement, arguing that such behavior wouldn’t be deemed appropriate if the roles had been reversed.
