When Tyler Allen and his family experienced tremendous loss last year, he found comfort through music. Now, he’s sharing it with the world.
In April 2021, his sister and her son, who was barely a year old, were hit by an 18-wheeler in a tragic accident. They were killed instantaneously.
“When it happened, I was more of the rock for each family, made sure everyone was okay,” he said.
But in order to heal, Tyler had to make time for himself, too. One way he did this was by finding comfort through music, a love he used to share with his late nephew, Noah.
“So when I used to keep my nephew all the time, it was like he was my son,” Tyler said. “I would always sing to him to go to sleep, he was always antsy, you had to watch him. The only way I could get him to go to sleep was singing.”
Tyler shares videos of himself singing on his YouTube channel, but he never seriously considered going on “American Idol” until one of his videos went viral. His comments were full of people suggesting he audition, and before he knew it, producers of the show were reaching out in hopes he’d give it a shot.
He was hesitant at first, in part because he was unsure if his voice would be a good fit for the show, but he was quickly proven wrong.
As a way to honor Noah, this Mobile, Alabama native chose to sing “I Believe in You and Me” by Whitney Houston, one of his favorite things to sing to his nephew.
All three judges were touched by Tyler’s story, though Katy Perry was especially moved. Tears began to fall before his song could begin, and they only intensified as his smooth, comforting voice sang, “I will play the fool forever just to be your uncle forever. I believe in miracles. I know you were my miracle. And yes, Noah, you’re my dream… my dream come true.”
Needless to say, Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan were all blown away by Tyler’s incredible voice, and it took no time at all for them to send him on to the next round of the competition!
As Tyler continues to process and grieve these tremendous losses, we’re so happy he’s found a way to cope while also honoring the people he loved so much.
“Though he’s (Noah) not here, I do believe he’s in a far better place,” Tyler said. “And I’m going to see him again.”
Watch his emotional audition below and don’t forget to share.
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