Benjamin Glaze, a former “American Idol” contestant who gained notoriety when pop star Katy Perry kissed him during his 2016 audition, has found himself in legal trouble. He was recently arrested on charges related to child pornography possession.

The 26-year-old was taken into custody on Friday, as reported by TMZ, following an investigation by the Tulsa Police Department’s Sexual Predator/Digital Evidence Recovery Unit. The arrest came after authorities received a tip that prompted further action.

Glaze was subsequently booked into the county jail in Tulsa and later released on a $50,000 bond that same evening. As the investigation unfolded, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant, which led to the discovery of more than 700 images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors on his phone.

Katy Perry, now 39, faced a wave of criticism for her impulsive kiss with Glaze, who at the time was 19 years old. During his audition, he had mentioned to the judges that he had never been kissed before, which prompted Perry’s unexpected gesture.

Despite the backlash, Glaze later took to social media to defend Perry, expressing his support and offering a detailed explanation of his perspective on the incident. The situation surrounding his arrest, however, now casts a different light on the former contestant’s life since his brief moment in the spotlight.

Former American Idol contestant Benjamin Glaze, who went viral after Katy Perry kissed him during his 2016 audition, has been arrested for alleged child porn possession

Perry, 39, faced backlash for kissing a then-19-year-old Benjamin after he told judges during his audition that he’d never been kissed before

Following the viral on-air smooch, Benjamin came to Katy’s defense in a lengthy social media post.

‘I do not think I was sexually harassed by Katy Perry,’ he wrote at the time.

He added, ‘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!’

Glaze was in his late teens when he auditioned for American Idol in October 2015 with a self-written song called Stadium.

He received much press for the lip-lock, but did not win over the judges and progress in the singing competition.

‘I do wish I would have performed better in the moment,’ Benjamin, who comes from a conservative Oklahoma family, added in his Instagram statement.

He also said in retrospect: ‘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.’

Following the viral on-air smooch, Benjamin came to Katy’s defense in a lengthy social media post

He received much press for the lip-lock several years ago, but did not win over the judges and progress in the singing competition

The 143 music artist was also defended by her co-judge Luke Bryan shortly after the incident.

As the country crooner was interviewed by The Morning Show host Larry Emdur, he said, ‘It’s unfortunate that stuff like that turns into a story that big. I watched an actual interview where the kid said that he was cool with everything.’

He added, ‘I gotta back Katy on that. We (the judges) are going to get it right sometimes and wrong sometimes.

‘We’re in there critiquing people. They say something one day that not everyone is going to like. That’s just what you signed up for.’