A former American Idol hopeful who once made headlines for being kissed by Katy Perry during his Season 16 audition has now been sentenced to decades behind bars.
Benjamin Glaze, now 25, was sentenced on September 15, 2025, following his guilty plea to aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to Tulsa Police Department, Glaze’s punishment includes 25 years in prison — though only 15 will be served in custody, with the remaining 10 years suspended. He is also required to register as a sex offender for life.
How Glaze Was Caught
Glaze’s downfall began in 2024 when Tulsa PD’s Sexual Predator/Digital Evidence Recovery Unit received a tip that he was in possession of disturbing material involving minors.
Investigators executed a search warrant and seized Glaze’s smartphone. What they reportedly discovered was chilling: over 700 images and videos of child sexual abuse material.
Glaze was arrested and booked into the Tulsa County Jail, facing one count of aggravated possession of child pornography. He was initially released on a $50,000 bond before the case moved through the courts.
From Viral Fame to Infamy
Glaze’s name first hit the headlines in 2018 when he appeared on Season 16 of American Idol. During his audition, he confessed to judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie that he had never kissed a girl.
Perry shocked viewers when she suddenly leaned over and kissed him on the lips.
The moment went viral, sparking backlash against Perry. Critics accused her of crossing boundaries, especially since Glaze had said he wanted his first kiss to be special.
At first, Glaze admitted the encounter made him uncomfortable. But later, he softened his stance, saying he did not consider Perry’s actions to be sexual assault.
Still, the incident remains one of Idol’s most controversial moments, forever tying Glaze’s name to the awkward TV kiss.
The Sentencing
Now, years later, Glaze’s notoriety has taken a much darker turn.
On September 15, he stood before a Tulsa judge and pleaded guilty. His sentence — 25 years, with 15 in custody and 10 suspended — reflects both the gravity of the crime and the plea deal negotiated.
Authorities stressed that the amount of material discovered was significant and deeply troubling.
Glaze will remain under supervision for years to come and will have his movements restricted as a registered sex offender.
Public Reaction
The news has reignited conversations online, especially among American Idol fans who remember the Katy Perry kiss controversy. Some expressed shock that the once wide-eyed teen who dreamed of a music career has now become a convicted felon.
Others are calling it a stark reminder that viral fame doesn’t guarantee a positive future.
“It’s heartbreaking,” one fan wrote on social media. “He was once known for an awkward moment with Katy Perry. Now he’ll be remembered for something so much worse.”
From TV Stardom to Prison
Glaze’s journey from a viral TV contestant to a convicted criminal is one of the most shocking American Idol alumni stories to date.
While many former contestants go on to pursue music careers, Glaze’s name is now permanently linked to one of the most disturbing crimes imaginable.
Final Thoughts
Benjamin Glaze’s sentencing closes a dark chapter that began with a simple audition in front of three celebrity judges and ended in a courtroom decades later.
Though his time on American Idol briefly made him a household name, his crimes — and the 25-year sentence that followed — will define his legacy far more than any TV moment.
