American Idol Contestant Benjamin Glaze Sentenced 25 Years Oklahoma Child Porn Charges

Benjamin Glaze, a former American Idol contestant who gained attention in 2018 for receiving his first kiss from judge Katy Perry, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in Oklahoma for aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material. Glaze pleaded guilty after authorities uncovered over 700 images and videos of child pornography on his phone during a 2024 investigation initiated after a mental health counselor reported his addiction. He must serve a minimum of 15 years in prison, followed by 10 years suspended, and will be required to register as a sex offender with strict conditions upon release, including psychosexual evaluations and restrictions on his behavior. Glaze's 2018 audition, where he confessed to never having kissed a girl, had sparked controversy over Perry's kiss, but he later stated he did not feel sexually harassed. The Tulsa Police Department's Sexual Predator/Digital Evidence Recovery Unit led the investigation and seizure of evidence. His case highlights the stark contrast between his brief moment in the spotlight and his subsequent criminal actions.