Tyler Allen’s run on “American Idol” might have been short, but he says it left him with some good memories -- and some favorites among the remaining contenders, including another singer from Alabama.
Allen, who’s from Mobile, was featured prominently in the show’s season premiere. But on Monday, viewers learned he didn’t make the Top 24. In a video message, Allen let fans know about his post-“Idol” plans: He has taken an assistant pastor position at a church in Memphis, and plans to release an album.
In a follow up interview, Allen reiterated that he looks on his “Idol” experience as a positive one.
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“It is what it is, no hard feelings, I am very proud, I’m very happy for those who made it across,” he said. “I made some real close friends up there. I was very happy to see them getting their shine.”
“It wasn’t really a sad time for me because I was like, hey, I looked at it as, if one of them goes, we all go,” he said.
Allen said he’s glad to think that his appearance on the show might have given some exposure to the University of Mobile and its student ensembles. He gained his first taste of viral fame, and a wealth of real-world experience, as a member of Voices of Mobile. He’s always hoped that any personal fame he wins would help raise awareness of the school, he said.
“I did that for four years of my life, and I’m forever grateful,” he said. “It played such a major role in my life.”
“I want to be a support system to my school,” he said.
Allen said he plans to start work on his album next week and indicated that it will include a whole range of material. More than half the songs will be original, he said, and the selections will include Caribbean and various genres of church music.
“I’m going to try to implement everything on there,” he said. “I’m going to show everyone my different avenues and stretch myself.”
Allen said religious music was central to his “Idol” experiences, and that faith created a bond with some fellow contestants. Right off the bat, he found kindred spirits in Alabama artist Lady K, Dontrell Briggs, Jordan Chase and Kirk Richmond.
“I met so many other people, but the four I just named, Jordan, Dontrell and Kirk and Lady K, We churched L.A. like no other,” Allen said. “Every day, the faculty would just be amazed. We would group up, we would start our singing. We had titles for each other. Kirk was more the Baptist, Missionary Baptist, so his title was Doc. My nickname was The Apostle. Dontrell, we called him The Pastor. Lady K, she was over our women’s department, we called them the Women of Excellence.”
“We had a full church. The staff would tell us all the time that they were so glad we found each other,” Allen said. “They were amazed that every morning, every night, we were finding joy.”
Allen said a special moment came just before the Top 59 found out which of them made it to the Top 24. He was asked to pray over the group.
“I was able to pray over everyone,” he said. “I had no idea that when I went in, I would not make the Top 24. But when I went to the producer, he said ‘I thought you were going to make it, are you upset?’ I said, ‘No I’m not. I’m not mad at all. Because God allowed me to realize why I was sent here.’ I was able to help so many people.”
Allen said the moment left him feeling that “even though I didn’t make it to the Top 24, my assignment was complete.”
He’ll still keep an eye on the show, he said.
“I love everybody but the three that I’m rooting for the most are Lady K and Jay Copeland and Sir Blake,” he said. “Those three. I love all of them. I love everyone that made it, they are awesome, they are phenomenal singers. But those three, I am riding with.”
Allen said that among everything else, plans are taking shape for him to make a couple of appearances later this spring back in Mobile. Fans can keep an eye on his active social media channels for details of those and other activities.
“I’m just telling people to stay tuned,” he said.
“It was a fun ride. I enjoyed it, I have no regrets, I laid it all on the stage,” he said. “And just stay tuned, this is not the end, more is coming. I can’t wait to show the world who I am. More of who I am, ‘cause they already know me. More of who Tyler is.”
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