‘American Idol’ contestant Benjamin Glaze slapped with extreme conditions for release after child porn conviction: report
Former “American Idol” Contestant Sentenced to 25 Years for Child Porn Possession
Benjamin Glaze, a contestant on “American Idol” who gained viral fame for kissing judge Katy Perry during his audition, has been handed a 25-year sentence for stockpiling child pornography. The 27-year-old admitted to being addicted to child porn and will serve a minimum of 15 years behind bars, with the remaining 10 years suspended.
As part of his release conditions, Glaze must undergo a penile plethysmograph test to measure his sexual arousal levels while being exposed to different types of content. He is also required to take an Abel Screening, a psychosexual evaluation that tracks his eye movements when viewing images of children versus adults.
Furthermore, Glaze is prohibited from entering certain establishments such as strip clubs, sex shops, massage parlors, or adult theaters. He is not allowed to consume pornography, call sex hotlines, or pick up hitchhikers. The sentencing also mandates that Glaze must wear appropriate clothing and underwear at all times, submit regular blood samples for STD testing, and register as a sex offender.
Glaze was arrested in Tulsa, Oklahoma after confessing to a child pornography addiction to a mental health counselor. Police discovered over 700 pieces of child sexual abuse material on his phone, leading to his conviction for aggravated possession of such material.
Controversial “American Idol” Moment
During his audition on “American Idol” in 2018, Glaze performed Nick Jonas’s song “Levels” for judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry. Despite not advancing to the next round, Glaze’s audition gained attention when Perry surprised him with a kiss on the lips after he revealed he had never been in a relationship or kissed a girl.
The incident sparked online backlash, with some accusing Perry of assaulting the teenager. Glaze later expressed in an interview that he would have preferred his first kiss to be special and that he would have declined Perry’s advance if given the choice.
