American Idol contestant speaks out about 'uncomfortable' Katy Perry kiss

The American Idol contestant who was kissed by judge Katy Perry without his consent, has spoken out about the "uncomfortable" encounter in which he was robbed of his first kiss.

During the premiere of the newly-returned series, Perry kissed 19-year-old contestant Benjamin Glaze, after he had told the judges "I've never been in a relationship…I can't kiss a girl without being in a relationship."

Perry called him over and asked for a kiss on the cheek then moved her face so she could kiss him on the lips, before throwing her arms up triumphantly.

Glaze told the New York Times he was "a tad bit uncomfortable", saying he wanted to save his first kiss for his first relationship, "I wanted it to be special".

"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."

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That said, Glaze told the Times he doesn't hold it against Perry, and is actually glad for the attention its brought as it's a "great opportunity to get my music out".

Plus, he says, "It didn't really count. It was lip contact versus a romantic situation with someone you care about. That's what a real first kiss is."

This article was first published on NZ Herald and is republished here with permission.