In this exclusive interview for Yummyzine 6, we delve into the multifaceted journey of Aaron Tyler, an individual whose path has been marked by self-discovery, resilience, and artistic expression. From his conservative upbringing in Texas to his immersion in the vibrant culture of Los Angeles, Aaron shares insights into how his experiences have shaped his personal growth and professional endeavours. Join us as we explore Aaron's reflections on spirituality, sobriety, entrepreneurship, and his ventures in modelling and acting. With candidness and openness, Aaron invites us into his world, offering perspectives on relationships, views of nudity and sex, creativity, and the future goals and dreams he has yet to accomplish.
Photography by Tyler Matthew Oyer | Interview by Adrian Gomis Exposito
The images are cropped/ made safe for online purposes, full images available inside Yummyzine Issue 6
Photo story by Tyler Matthew Oyer
ADRIAN GOMIS EXPOSITO. Hi Aaron! How are you? We’re so happy to have you in Yummy.
AARON TYLER. Hi, thanks for having me! I’m doing great. It’s warm and sunny, and it’s almost summer, so I have no complaints.
A.G.E. How did your upbringing in Texas, particularly within a conservative Christian environment, influence your journey towards self-discovery and coming out?
A.T. It was hard. There was just so much confusion for so long. The biggest gifts I think it gave me were that one, I like to understand and can relate to people who’ve had similar experiences; and two, I think it taught me that things are not always what they seem. To not blindly just believe things, because my internal truth –being gay– was so at odds with what I was being told that it forced me to be honest and think for myself.
A.G.E. Transitioning from a conservative background to the vibrant and diverse environment of LA can be a significant cultural shift. How did this transition impact your personal and professional growth, especially in pursuing acting?
A.T. It was like my first time experiencing the world outside of the tiny sheltered bubble I grew up in. I didn’t even know I was gay until I moved to LA. I really didn’t know anything. I was also totally unprepared for being an adult and it’s definitely been a struggle. But it was amazing. I’ve learned so much about myself and everything really. I love LA so much and am forever grateful to this city. It’s given me everything.
A.G.E. You mentioned having your own blog business. Could you elaborate on your experience with entrepreneurship and how it intersected with your passions or interests?
A.T. It was sort of an accident. I was originally just looking for a passive income side hustle I could do while I was acting so I didn’t have to work a day job. And it worked way beyond what I had planned or anticipated. The blog was about gig economy jobs back when they were first becoming a thing and I just wrote about my experience driving for Lyft. It didn’t really intersect with any of my creative interests, but, other than making more money than I ever had before, the biggest benefit was that it got me over my fear of writing. I always hated writing in school and never thought of myself as a writer or as someone who could write. And then the first time I actually tried writing anything, millions of people were reading. So that was cool.
A.G.E. Your journey includes exploring meditation and spirituality, including travels to India. How have these experiences shaped your perspective on life and influenced your personal growth?
A.T. I love that I can have a spiritual experience of life without the fear and ignorance that come with a lot of religious beliefs. I feel like I always was spiritually inclined but it got misplaced because of the circumstances of my birth into a religion in which I did not belong. I don’t always meditate but when I do, life feels much more manageable.
A.G.E. Sobriety can be a transformative journey for many individuals. What motivated you to make the decision to stop drinking, and how has this lifestyle change impacted your life, both personally and professionally?
A.T. I’ve had issues with addiction since I first started drinking and stuff and I kind of always knew that but it took a really long time for me to realize how it was negatively affecting my life. Luckily, when I was ready to be honest about that and do something about it, I had people in my life who were there for me to help me. And I accepted their help. It isn’t easy at all, but it’s definitely felt like a huge restart on my life. I don’t like the idea of starting my adult life over again at square one — but that’s just the reality of where I’m at. And so I’m trying to stay humble and take it one day at a time. Sometimes a tiny amount of the joy and excitement I felt when I was 18 moving to LA for the first time comes back. I don’t have any real expectations, but I’m definitely not going to just sit around and feel bitter about what could have been or whatever. If I have a chance to start over I am taking it.
A.G.E. Signing with your current modelling agent marks a significant milestone in your career. Could you share your journey into the modelling industry and how it aligns with your personal and professional aspirations?
A.T. I’ve tried modeling for a while but every agency I submitted to just kept rejecting me. I just kept shooting with different photographers. A mutual friend connected me and my current manager, Ryan Colby, and I signed with him last year. I think at some point I just had a big shift creatively and sort of discovered that I had an artistic voice. I had something I wanted to say. And so since then, I’ve just been discovering more of what that is and trying my best to share it in whatever way I can. And if modeling is the outlet for my creative self-expression right now then I’m happy to do that. I think my job as an artist is just to make and share my art and if for some reason anybody wants to listen then that is just a bonus.
A.G.E. Your interests span from outdoor activities like dodgeball and pickleball to creative pursuits like music and TikTok. How do these diverse interests contribute to your overall sense of fulfilment and balance in life?
A.T. I can get really in my head so any kind of physical activity is like medicine for me. There’s also something super fun about playing team sports which I haven’t done since high school or middle school. And this time everyone’s gay. I don’t have to pretend to be straight. I started writing songs just to find ways of expressing things that I couldn’t in any other way and I never stopped. And TikTok I just started because my ex told me to. But since I’m not currently getting a lot of acting work, any kind of creative outlet is just necessary in order to keep me from losing my mind.
A.G.E. Now, let’s talk about 'Yummy.' Firstly, what does the word 'Yummy' mean to you?
A.T. To me, yummy means that something tastes good. Delicious. Scrumptious. Satisfying.
A.G.E. You shot a really beautiful story with Tyler Matthew Oyer for Yummyzine 6. Have you posed naked before? Tell us about your experience doing this lovely shoot. Are there any behind-the-scenes anecdotes?
A.T. Yes, I have posed naked before. Shooting with Tyler was great. I think we just immediately vibed well. There’s always a certain amount of trust between the photographer and model that’s needed when shooting just in general, and obviously even more so being nude. And I felt like we had that. Beyoncé had just released Cowboy Carter so we played that during the shoot, which was the first time listening to the whole album for both of us. If I could go back I would’ve brought a cowboy hat and boots.
A.G.E. You seem like a pretty open guy. What perspective do you have on nudity, the body, and sexual expression?
A.T. Love nudity. Love sex. Love bodies. I think everyone does. Porn websites are the most visited websites on the planet. And the obsession with classical art, I don’t think it’s because of the colours and forms or whatever. I think people just like looking at naked bodies. Sex is just an essential part of life in all its expressions. And in our current era, I guess there’s still a lot of shame and fear surrounding it. I hope that one day we as a species can be free of that.
A.G.E. In your opinion, what makes someone irresistibly "yummy" beyond just physical appearance?
A.T. Physical appearance probably matters a lot more in photos than in real life. If someone’s not pleasant to be around then it really doesn’t matter what they look like. I’m probably not going to spend much time around them. The most attractive people are the people who somehow manage to be really confident and really humble at the same time. That’s sexy.
A.G.E. When it comes to relationships, what's your recipe for keeping things spicy and exciting?
A.T. Well, I’ve been single for a minute and I barely even have sex. But, for next time, I’m gonna try to focus on being grateful and appreciating the other person. We never know how much time we’ll have together so really just trying to appreciate and cherish the time we do have. And if that doesn’t work, maybe try bondage or something. I dunno.
A.G.E. As someone who's embraced exploration and growth in various aspects of life, what goals do you have on your horizon for the future, whether it's in your career, personal life, or creative endeavours?
A.T. I love modelling. I love acting. So I’m definitely putting my energy into that for the time being. But I’m also open to whatever might show up. I’m working on an LGBTQ podcast with a friend right now. I’m excited for that as well. But who knows? If there’s one thing I’ve learned about life so far, it’s that I have no idea what’s going to happen in the future. I don’t really even know what’s going on right now.
