‘American Idol’ contestant defends Katy Perry in wake of criticism over ‘uncomfortable’ kiss

American Idol contestant Benjamin Glaze has clarified that he does not feel he was “sexually harassed” by singer and judge Katy Perry — even if she made him “uncomfortable” when she unexpectedly kissed him on the lips. During an audition for the revamped singing competition, which is again hosted by Ryan Seacrest in spite of the disturbing sexual assault accusations leveled against him, Perry had stolen the 19-year-old cashier’s first kiss ahead of his audition after he admitted to the judges that he had never been in a relationship and, consequently, never kissed a girl before.

But in a subsequent Instagram post, Glaze wrote that he wanted to clarify “for anyone who is confused, concerned, or angry” after his news interviews that he was not “complaining about the kiss,” and that he was grateful to have been able to showcase his music on the show.

“I do not think I was sexually harassed by Katy Perry and I am thankful for the judges comments and critiques,” wrote Glaze. “I was uncomfortable in a sense of how I have never been kissed before and was not expecting it. My main goal is to reach people through the universal love of music and not cause strife or anger against anyone or about any situation! Please take into consideration that I don’t believe my views have been appropriately communicated through the media!”

View this post on Instagram

Hi everyone, I would like to clear a few things up for anyone who is confused, concerned, or angry. I am not complaining about the kiss from Katy Perry at all, doing a few news reports and being interviewed by many different reporters has caused some major questions. The way certain articles are worded is not done by me, and my true intentions are not accurately represented in every article you read about the situation. I am not complaining about the kiss, I am very honored and thankful to have been apart of American Idol. The main purpose for the show is to find stars and new music artist. I do wish I would have performed better in the moment. I should have picked another song to sing and calmed myself down regardless of the kiss. I should have been able to perform under pressure. I do not think I was sexually harassed by Katy Perry and I am thankful for the judges comments and critiques. I was uncomfortable in a sense of how I have never been kissed before and was not expecting it. My main goal is to reach people through the universal love of music and not cause strife or anger against anyone or about any situation! Please take into consideration that I don’t believe my views have been appropriately communicated through the media! Thank you to everyone who has followed me in this journey and I hope I answered a few questions. . . . . #americanidol #katyperry #music

A post shared by Ben Glaze (@benjaminglazemusic) on Mar 14, 2018 at 2:32pm PDT

While American Idol was quick to market the moment to promote the show, Glaze seemed to not share in the excitement. In an interview with The New York Times, he revealed that he was “uncomfortable” with the kiss, explaining that he he wanted to save his first kiss “for my first relationship.”

In wake of the interview, many had criticized Perry and called on her to be fired, arguing that if it had been a male judge who kissed a 19-year-old girl then audiences would not have been so accepting.

Read the full story at The Washington Post.

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