Tyler Grady was no Jim Morrison. If he was he would have stayed longer than the first week of top 12. Besides, he doesn’t want to hear the comparison anyway, as he told EW.
EW: Tyler, how are you doing today?
TYLER GRADY: I’m very disappointed but at the same time I’m in high spirits because I realize all the potential this platform has given me. I know I had approximately 30 million viewers see me perform. That’s more than some performers can say. I already have a pretty strong fan base from the show and it’ll be relatively easy to bring them into the fan base of my band, Wailing Waters, because as a band we do the same sorts of things I did on the show. Similar vibe. I perform the same with my band as I did on the show.
Was your band upset you went out for American Idol to begin with?
No, they were very supportive. In that situation you have to realize only good can come of something like American Idol. Yeah, I had to leave the band for a month or so but at the same time I come off and I have the potential to bring thousands of fans to us.
Let’s talk about your comment back to the judges after you got voted off. It did seem that they were giving you mixed signals – in Hollywood week saying they loved you and then critiquing you on Wednesday night for the very things they said they loved.
I’m glad you see that. I was not intending to be rude or bitter or angry. I thought I stated it pretty matter of factly. I wasn’t trying to be emotional there. If you watch the clips side by side from the last day of Hollywood week when Kara said they want to see more of my moves and talks about Planet Tyler and is giving me all this positive feedback. And then on Wednesday they basically turned it around on me and called me a wannabe and a poser and that I’m obsessed with Jim Morrison. No one likes to be pigeonholed into a certain stereotype. I love the Doors. A lot of rock fans love the Doors but the only reason I’m being pigeonholed into the Jim Morrison stereotype is because of my hair. I’m sorry that my hair is brown and curly. If you watch Jim Morrison’s performances and mine are there some similarities? Yes. But I would say it’s not an accurate comparison. To say that I have Jim Morrison posters on my wall I just thought was rude. I didn’t think it was objective. It was rude.
Even after the criticism, did you think you were safe because of previous praise?
I’m a realist. So I know each of the four of them has a huge following that will vote according to what they say. Not one of them came to my rescue. And I did exactly what they told me they liked. I did exactly what I do every time I’m on stage. I don’t have any regrets about the performance, the song choice, the clothes I wore, nothing. And I can almost guarantee you that if I had completely changed myself they would have criticized why I changed myself. I can take objective criticism. But the most hurtful thing to me was Ellen’s comment about me lacking charisma and honesty in my performance. I respect her as an entertainer, but I try to be as honest as possible. For her and Simon to call me a phony was just really hurtful because I don’t fake things.
Was there anyone in particular you bonded with who could comfort you after being voted off?
Casey and I bonded because we were roommates for the past two weeks. I became good friends with him and both of us were really supportive of each other.
Onto a lighter topic, let’s talk about you and your bathrobe. What was up with that?
Like I said on the show I just went from the hotel in the hotel’s bathrobe. I felt like “Oh, we’re gonna go to wardrobe.” And then they told me to rehearse. I just hoped it didn’t fly open.
And did it?
Nope. It was securely fastened.
Image credit: Patrick Ecclestein/Fox
I want to tell the EW community that people posting under the “Nshi” name are going way too far. I regret every having posted to these boards for what these imposters have been saying. I really am sorry that I started something so stupid.
?
Actually that guy is lying.
The judges were hypocrites! Whatever! I loved the robe, just one more thing Tyler did that made me love him! Hated to see him go so soon. Best of luck Tyler – hope to see you again soon!
Tyler was screwed by the judges!..he did exactly what they said they loved about him, then they threw him under the bus!
I fully agree. I was so devastated Tyler was leaving. He was the one from audition I got so excited the most to tune in this year. His audition was the most fascinating, intriguing, exciting and the best I’ve seen. It was the most seductive, mesmerizing and charismatic delivery of just a few lines of a song. It was one of the BEST auditions ever seeing how he impacted the judges. Kara and Victoria were seduced and Simon was speechless and for a moment just stared at Tyler until he was called off by Kara. It actually cracked me up the effect on Simon. Randy said best when he said, “maybe the girls want you to keep going”. Watching at home, it had the same effect on me. Tyler was so right about the judges. They were so harsh especially the 180 degrees turn around by Kara about the Morrison posters filled room. If only one of the judges cushioned it which I expected from Ellen. I hated how Ellen even put salt on the wounds. Tyler is NOT a phony. He is one honest and authentic guy. His reaction got more respect from me as a human being. I was so down that he will not be in the show and I’m pissed at how it ended for him with the recklessness of the judges. I find Ellen rather useless adding nothing to the show. If Paula was there, she would have saved the night for Tyler which he definitely deserves. Tyler, I wish you all the luck and success with your band. It was just not your time. God bless.
I love Tyler’s honesty. I’m gonna miss him next week
I’m glad he told them; I am sure they are going to be more careful about what they say
Basically it was his weak vocals that needed him to go, if he was able to really sing, then all these 70′s rara could make sense
Actually he could sing judging off his audition and one clip in Hollywood. The song he sang isn’t exactly the best song for vocals. When the song was in the slow sections I thought he did great. Once it speeds up into the chorus, even the original gets a little screamy. I thought he did fine, I didn’t think it warranted voting off.
But we live in a world of Justin Bieber and the Jonas’s so the Alex,Aaron’s and Tim’s are going to get saved by the teen girls. I thought he had a lot of potential and sad to see him go. And yes the judges were morons. Simon is already done with the show, Kara is a dolt and Ellen is beyond useless. What a joke.
He could sing but he did a terrible job that night. Simon was correct that Tyler was more concerned with the stage persona than with the vocals. Remember how Michael Johns was also the “wannabe rocker” but at least he worked hard to sound good as well.
Tyler,
You are a cool cat and I loved that you stood up, respectfully, to the judges. You were always the same in your performances–honest, hip, cool. The AI stage will be dim without you. Best of luck!
This season’s going to suck.
I was excited to see Tyler, but seeing as now there’s only one other person I care to watch on the show… I don’t think I will be watching anymore.
I thought he was one of the most charismatic guys on the show. I can’t believe the young guy, who looked like he was going to wet his pants made it through over him. Seriously? Hopefully, his band Wailing Waters will get a record deal and he can do what he really loves. Keep on rockin Tyler!!!
yeah, he is cool nursesdate
Ugh, this guy annoys me. Just look at his picture. He’s such a poser. He’s trying waaaay too hard. Glad he’s gone.
I liked Tyler at first, but his performance was kind of lackluster. I did hope he would get another chance, though.
Soooooo glad he got voted off! Barf city!!
i forgot you all last nite,kinded let it all leave my mind. from once i love this show not it never cross my mind,because i’m not at all please with the people behind the micks you know the judges,ugh! but one did catch my eye, just like he did with kara so sing on winner of american idol
I agree, the judges remarks hurt Tyler. If only one of the judges were brave enough to disagree. I never felt dishonesty from Tyler. So, Idol gets rid of a contestant who could bring spark and fun to the show? It doesn’t make sense.