Former ‘American Idol’ Contestant
Child Porn Charges Bring Unprecedented Release Conditions!
Published September 30, 2025 2:00 AM PDT
Benjamin Glaze — the former “American Idol” contestant who shared a memorable kiss on stage with Katy Perry — is now facing serious consequences after being convicted on child pornography charges. Sentenced to a 25-year prison term, the peculiar conditions of his eventual release are raising eyebrows.
According to the court documents acquired by TMZ, after serving 15 years, Glaze’s 10-year suspended sentence comes attached to a bizarre checklist of requirements, including mandatory penile plethysmograph tests. Yes, that’s a device to monitor arousal—presenting him with both,”let’s-wait-for-the-scandal” ratings and an awkward journey through a gauntlet of PG to explicit visual stimuli.
In addition to the plethysmograph, Glaze must participate in a sex offender treatment program and undergo the Abel Screen, a measure that evaluates the focus of his gaze on photographs of children compared to adults.
Restrictions on him are quite severe: he cannot access pornography, enter strip clubs, visit adult theaters, or even call any kind of sex hotlines. Strangely enough, he’s also barred from picking up hitchhikers. Because why not make the list more absurd?
Additionally, wardrobe choices are under scrutiny as Glaze is mandated to maintain a suitable appearance, which includes appropriate clothing and undergarments at all times. To add to the absurdity, he must also submit to blood tests inspecting for sexually transmitted diseases. Clearly, he’s not just in the punishment phase; it’s also a bizarre fashion statement.
As previously reported, Glaze’s arrest in 2024 followed an investigation by Tulsa’s Sexual Predator/Digital Evidence Recovery Unit, which discovered he was in possession of child sexual abuse material.
Authorities executed a search warrant on his smartphone and unearthed over 700 images and videos relating to sexual abuse of minors. Glaze subsequently admitted guilt on September 15 for possession of child pornography, resulting in the comprehensive 25-year sentence, comprising 15 years in custody and a subsequent 10-year suspended sentence.
Many may remember Glaze from his viral moment during season 16 of ‘American Idol’ in 2018, notably for confessing to judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie that he had never kissed a girl at the age of 19.
The judges decided against sending him to Hollywood, although the controversial kiss from Katy Perry sparked significant backlash toward her.
Initially, Glaze expressed discomfort with the kiss, but later clarified his position, stating that he did not feel assaulted in any way by the singer.
