ABC
He kissed a girl and didn't like it ... but he's not screaming sexual harassment either.
19-year-old "American Idol" contestant Benjamin Glaze was tricked into kissing judge Katy Perry on the lips -- his first kiss ever -- during the season premiere of the retooled show. The moment generated headlines after Glaze told The New York Times the moment made him "a tad bit uncomfortable."
"I wanted to save it for my first relationship. I wanted it to be special," he said of his first kiss. "Would I have done it if she said, 'Would you kiss me?' No, I would have said no. 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."
ABC
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View StoryAfter that interview led to articles like "American Idol Contestant Who Had Never Been Kissed Slams Katy Perry for Unwanted Smooch," Glaze went to Instagram 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," he wrote. "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," he added. "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."
He added that he doesn't believe his comments "have been appropriately communicated through the media" and thanked new fans.
Katy has remained silent on the issue.
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