Former ‘American Idol’ contestant Benjamin Glaze sentenced to 25 years on child porn charges

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Benjamin Glaze, who once drew viral attention on American Idol when judge Katy Perry kissed him during his audition, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in connection with child pornography charges.

Glaze pleaded guilty on September 15, 2025, to one count of aggravated possession of child pornography. Under the terms of his sentence, he will serve fifteen years behind bars, whilst 10 years are suspended. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender.

The case originated in 2024, when Tulsa’s Sexual Predator/Digital Evidence Recovery Unit received a tip leading to a search warrant. Law enforcement found more than seven hundred images and videos of minors in Glaze’s possession on his smartphone. He was arrested and booked in Tulsa County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Glaze first entered the national spotlight during Season 16 of American Idol, when he revealed he had never kissed a girl, and judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie voted not to send him to Hollywood.

However, his moment of fame exploded after Perry kissed him on stage, which generated controversy and online debates. Initially, Glaze said the kiss made him uncomfortable; later, he said he did not consider it a sexual assault.

The sentencing marks a dramatic fall from public fascination to public disgrace. His case also underscores the broader challenges that law enforcement faces in identifying and prosecuting digital sexual exploitation crimes, especially as investigators increasingly rely on tips, digital forensics, and cross-jurisdictional cooperation.