“No, I’ve never been in a relationship,” Glaze replied. “I can’t kiss a girl without being in a relationship." At this point, the show's third judge, Lionel Richie, and Perry asked Glaze to give Perry a kiss on the cheek. He did so, but after saying she was unsatisfied that he didn't make a classic kiss sound, Perry asked him to kiss her again, which he did with some hesitation. While Glaze went for her cheek. Perry quickly turned her mouth to him so they kissed on the lips. "I got him!" she cheered. It's evident that Perry meant no harm with her actions, but it does raise the question: How would we react if the gender roles were reversed? Consent, power dynamics and personal boundaries matter, irrespective of gender.

Glaze looked visibly uncomfortable in having his personal space invaded. Would it be deemed as “funny” if a young girl was tricked by a celebrity 14 years her senior on national television? If Bryan or Richie had acted the same way to a female contestant there would have been an uproar. In this #MeToo era, it is important to voice concern over non-consensual behaviours, especially in situations where one person asserting their power over another. It is important for double standards and acknowledgement of male victims to be part of #MeToo conversations. Headlines after the episode aired read “He kissed a girl, and he liked it” and “Katy Perry floored an 'American Idol' contestant with a kiss”. They implied that a young male should be flattered by the attention given to him by a well known and attractive woman like Perry. The singer has also kissed other younger men in a similar way at awards shows and public places, including former One Direction members Harry Styles and Niall Horan at the 2012 VMAs. Despite her celebrity status, Perry is in a workplace situation. If a boss, or another staff member, exerted the same behaviour in another office environment, it would be deemed harassment and the perpetrator would be held accountable.

Not unlike the women who put up with harassment in the entertainment industry because they knew speaking out would cost them their career, it is possible Blaze remained compliant with the process because going against it could have cost him a life-changing offer to be on the show (he didn't make it through). Richie was the only one who helped the teenager when he asked for water, while Bryan and Perry made joking remarks about him being nervous: again this, too, would be deemed inappropriate in a workplace. Perry is yet to make a statement concerning the backlash. It may not be something to cause a massive commotion about, but in the era of Time’s Up it is a question we should pose: If we wouldn’t accept such behaviour from a man, then why do we think it is fine from a woman?