by Gina Scarpa

The theme of Sexuality this week on The Glee Project proved to make some contenders uncomfortable, especially Tyler.  Mentor Robert Ulrich felt he was disappearing in the crowd during the video shoot, but Tyler said that his idea of what's sexy is more about a real connection than just shaking it for the cameras.  After his last chance performance of "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin, Ryan Murphy decided not to call him back and we talked to him today about his Glee Project experience in an exclusive interview.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to try out for The Glee Project? Did you watch the first season?
A. Tyler: I actually did not watch it before I went on the show. What made me want to try out is I love performing and I've loved it my whole life. It's always what I wanted to do as a career. I wanted to start auditioning and the first one that caught my eye was The Glee Project. It was 5 minutes away from school so I was like, "Why not?" I waited in line for hours and the whole thing was an amazing experience. I love auditioning and I love performing.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: There are people who had the perception that you made a lot of excuses or complained a lot during the show. Do you feel like you were misunderstood?
A. Tyler: Absolutely! I've had people say that I'm whiny or a diva and I'm like, "Are you watching the same thing I'm watching?" Even Abraham said, "I could sort of see the comparison to Matheus from last season but the difference with you is that you want to learn." That's just how my brain works. It's not whining or complaining, it's wanting to be better. I guess that's a common misconception. I feel like I had to do a fair amount of explaining my situation. People don't know what it's like to be transgendered or going through puberty at age 21. I had no idea it would come across that way.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you think you would've felt more comfortable with this week's theme of Sexuality if it had come later in the competition or would that not have mattered?
A. Tyler: It probably would've helped because I would've been more comfortable with everyone there. I'm very connection based and that's what I base sexuality off of. I base it off of intelligence or creativity, instead of just dipping it low or whatever. I think if I had been more comfortable with the other contenders, it would've been easier for me. I still would've dealt with the same challenges. Even though I would've had better friendships, I wouldn't have had that spark like, "You're sexy and I'm into you."

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What do you make of Robert's comment, that you were disappearing?
A. Tyler: I didn't at all but I can't see it from the outside perspective so I wouldn't even know. I didn't know how that's how it was coming across. When he said that, I was definitely surprised. I thought it was my best week. Vulnerability was amazing but I felt more confident and proud of myself this week than any other week. My whole life, I've heard "You stand out too much" and "You're too loud". It was weird to hear the reverse.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Ryan was very supportive of you and your story throughout the competition. That must have meant a lot to you.
A. Tyler: Absolutely! I adore Ryan. To have someone as influential as him believe in me and want to push me... he saw me three times and kept rooting for me and pushing for me. His first comments were very harsh but he was able to push me to step it up and turn it around. To have that support from all four mentors and unconditionally "we love you but we want more of this" was amazing. I'm so thankful for everything that was said to me, good or bad, whether it was too harsh. If I know what I need to improve on, then I know what I need to do.

The Glee Project airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on Oxygen.

(Image courtesy of Oxygen)

Follow Gina @ginascarpa