Man Kissed By Katy Perry Speaks Out After Singer Faced Backlash

For many, having the chance to kiss pop mega-star Katy Perry would be beyond their wildest dreams. But when one American Idol hopeful got the chance to kiss her, he didn't seem to like it.

19-year-old Benjamin Glaze from Oklahoma was hoping to impress the American Idol judges with his acoustic guitar when judge Luke Bryan asked him if he'd ever 'kissed a girl and liked it'.

"No I've never been in a relationship, I can't kiss a girl without being in a relationship," Glaze said, looking decidedly sheepish.

Perry, 33, wasn't having that, insisting Glaze walk over to the judges' table - which he did, tentatively - so she could give him a smooch.

Keen to impress, Glaze went in for a second kiss on the cheek before Katy cheekily turned her head, surprising him with a kiss on the lips and raising her arms in victory.

He later told the New York Times that he felt 'uncomfortable' about the situation, even going as far to say that if Perry had asked before it happened then he would have turned her down.

After the singer faced a bit of backlash for 'pressuring him to kiss her', Glaze has now released a statement clearing up the incident.

ABC Network

The contestant said on Instagram: "I would like to clear a few things up for anyone who is confused, concerned, or angry....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... 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!"

Topics: TV and Film, Music, Katy Perry, US Entertainment

Chris Ogden

Chris Ogden is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from the University of East Anglia with degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing before completing his NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism. Chris has previously written for the independent culture magazine The Skinny, among other publications.

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