‘American Idol’ contestant felt ‘uncomfortable’ after Katy Perry gave him his first kiss

A man Katy Perry kissed on American Idol has revealed he “didn’t like it”. 

The kiss occurred when Benjamin Glaze, who was 19-years-old at the time, auditioned for the reality television show and told the judges that he liked meeting girls at his job as an electronics store cashier. 

Referencing Perry’s 2008 hit song ‘I Kissed A Girl’, judge and country singer Luke Bryan asked Glaze whether he’s 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,” he replied. 

Perry responded by asking Glaze to approach her for a kiss while fellow judges Bryan and Lionel Richie cheered them on. After walking over to her and glancing at the cameras, Glaze reluctantly kissed Perry on the cheek.

The pop star then encouraged him to give her another one because he “didn’t even make the ‘smush’ sound.” However, when he moved in to kiss her again, Perry turned her head and kissed him on the lips. 

The scene aired on US television during the premiere of the show on Sunday night (March 11) but now, in an interview with The New York Times, Glaze has described the moment as “uncomfortable”. 

“I wanted to save it for my first relationship. I wanted it to be special,” the 20-year-old stated. “Would I have done it if she said, ‘Would you kiss me?’ No, I would have said no.” 

He then explained that while he didn’t consent to the kiss, he didn’t feel sexually harassed by Perry. 

“I know a lot of guys would be like, ‘Heck yeah!’ But for me, I was raised in a conservative family and I was uncomfortable immediately. I wanted my first kiss to be special.”

Glaze, who was turned down by the judges, revealed he’s still waiting for his first kiss as the one from Perry didn’t count.

He explained: “It was lip contact versus a romantic situation with someone you care about. That’s what a real first kiss is.” 

Watch the moment below: