Kamala's Deputy Campaign Manager Explains Why There Wasn't an Open Primary. Get Ready...
Was It Appropriate for a CNN Guest to Spill This New Theory About...
Let Democrats Have Their Blanket Pardons, It’ll Screw Them In The End
A Quick Bible Study Vol. 245: 'What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?'...
Bible Sales Are Increasing
The Shadow of the Gallows Looms Over Iran
Kristi Noem Can Immediately Strengthen Border Security by Boosting Homeland Security Inves...
Trump Doubles Down On His Support for Pete Hegseth
World Leaders Line Up to Meet Trump
New Poll Finds Joe Biden’s Legacy to Be In the Toilet
WH Press Secretary Mocked for Using Wrong Poll to Justify Hunter Biden Pardon
Biden-Harris Makes First Ever Climate-Change Related Arrest
Remember How Kamala Harris Spent Six Figures on a Fake Set for the...
Deadly Venezuelan Gang Invades Another State
Eric Adams Won't Rule Out Joining the GOP
Tipsheet

Conservative 'American Idol' Contestant Says He Does Not Feel Exploited By Katy Perry Kiss

It was the kiss heard round the world. Okay, maybe not the world, but at least "American Idol" audiences. 

Benjamin Glaze was a 19-year-old contestant on the new version of the reality competition show, now airing on ABC and featuring judges Katy Perry, Lionel Ritchie and Luke Bryan. During his audition, Glaze revealed that he had yet to kiss a girl. He was saving it because he had never been in a relationship. Perry could not believe it and immediately invited him over to the judges' table so she could smooch him. He walked over nervously and asked her if she meant a kiss on the cheek. It certainly seemed that way, until she snuck a kiss on his lips at the last moment. 

Advertisement

Glaze literally fell to the floor. He was flustered, to say the least, and it very clearly affected his performance. All three judges were a "no" when he finished singing, noting that his performance felt a bit rushed and pitchy. 

After the kiss, Glaze admitted to The New York Times that he was "a tad bit uncomfortable,” with it, explaining that he "wanted to save it for my first relationship." He wanted it to be "special.” The young man and his morals were clearly shaken by the encounter. 

At the time, Perry appeared to play it off as a joke, high fiving the other judges after she landed the peck on Glaze. Perry did seem a little sympathetic to the flustered contestant after the fact, but she continued to tease him. As many critics have noted, if it had been a male judge that put his lips on a teenage female contestant, there would have been hell to pay. 

Still, we can be outraged all we like. What matters is what Glaze is feeling, and he is now saying he does not feel as if he had been exploited. 

“I do not think I was sexually harassed by Katy Perry and I am thankful for the judges comments and critiques," he said. "I was uncomfortable in a sense of how I have never been kissed before and was not expecting it.”

Advertisement

While Glaze did not make it past his "American Idol" audition, his story still has a happy ending. The now 20-year-old told "Inside Edition" that since the Katy Perry smooch, he's had his first "real" kiss with his first real girlfriend, Carrie.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement