From Idol Spotlight to Jail: The Downfall of American Idol Contestant Benjamin Glaze
EXCLUSIVE: Former American Idol Contestant's Dark Secret Exposed - From Viral Kiss with Katy Perry to Child Pornography Arrest
In a shocking turn of events, Benjamin Glaze, the 26-year-old former American Idol contestant who stole hearts with his chaste kiss with Katy Perry in 2016, has been jailed for possessing over 700 images and videos of child pornography on his phone. The news has left fans reeling and raises questions about the darker side of this charming young man's personality.
Glaze, who was just 20 years old when he auditioned for American Idol with his self-written song "Stadium," had seemed like an innocent and wholesome contestant. His audition with Perry, Harry Connick Jr., and Luke Bryan was watched by millions, and the kiss that followed sparked a media frenzy. But it appears that beneath the charming facade, Glaze harbored a dark secret.
In October 2020, police discovered the disturbing images on Glaze's phone during an investigation into child pornography. The news of his arrest sent shockwaves through the music industry, with many fans left wondering how they could have been so wrong about this seemingly sweet young man.
Glaze was released from Tulsa County Jail on a $50,000 bond after his initial arrest but later pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material. On September 15, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, a punishment that has left many in the entertainment industry stunned.
The news raises questions about how someone with such a dark secret could have been so openly affectionate with Perry during his audition. At the time, Glaze had claimed that he was "uncomfortable" with the kiss and wanted to save it for his first relationship. He even went so far as to say that if Perry had asked permission before kissing him, he would have declined.
Perry's co-judge on American Idol, Luke Bryan, came to her defense during an interview with Larry Emdur on The Morning Show, saying, "It's unfortunate that stuff like that turns into a story that big. I watched an actual interview where the kid said that he was cool with everything." However, it seems now that Glaze's words were just a carefully crafted facade.
Glaze's defense of Perry during his audition had been seen as proof of her kindness and empathy towards contestants. But in light of his recent conviction, many are questioning whether she should have been more vigilant about the behavior of her contestants.
The news has also sparked controversy within the music industry, with some calling for greater scrutiny of talent show contestants. "This is a wake-up call for all of us," said a source close to the investigation. "We need to be more aware of the people we're putting on stage and make sure they're not hiding any dark secrets."
As fans struggle to come to terms with Glaze's conviction, Perry has remained silent about the incident. Her representatives have released no statement, but it's clear that she's been left shaken by the news.
For now, the question on everyone's mind is: how could someone with such a dark secret have fooled so many people? As one fan commented on social media, "I'm still trying to process this news. It just goes to show you can never really know someone's true intentions."
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This article was first published on The Scholarly Note (thescholarlynote.com) and is republished here with permission.