Tyler Robinson, the 20-year-old openly
gay contestant on NBC's reality contest The Voice, says being
openly gay helps his chances of winning the reality show.
Robinson is among the four gay
contestants vying to win NBC's challenger to Fox's 10-year-old hit
American Idol. Also gay are Vicci
Martinez, Nakia and Beverly McClellan.
On the show's premiere, Robinson came
out to his father.
“Growing up Mormon was difficult for
someone like me,” he said. “I'm gay. Doesn't define me, but
that's what I am.”
“My dad and I don't have the best
relationship. He hasn't been supportive of my music,” he added.
“Also my father does not know that I'm gay. I haven't actually
told him yet. I guess he knows now.”
Robinson was picked by judge Blake
Shelton to be mentored on the program. Shelton drew the ire of gay
media watchdog GLAAD after he tweeted an anti-gay message assumed to
be directed at the two male gay contestants. He's
since apologized for his remark.
In
an interview with gay male entertainment website AfterElton.com,
Robinson said being honest about his sexuality enhances his
performance.
“If I was on the show pretending to
be straight, then you would see it and everyone would know and there
would be no way that I would ever be able to succeed in this career
without being who I am,” he said.
Robinson added that he came out gay
because he was “so done lying to people.”