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Tuned In: Tyler Hilton
- Lisa Chudnofsky
When Tyler Hilton walks through the doors of the TEEN PEOPLE offices, I feel this unusual bombardment of the senses. First off, he reeks of soap. Dove or Dial, I'm not sure. Still, it's fascinating. Here's a guy -- an almost rock star -- who's so clean, the scent of suds actually trails him probably days after his last shower. Such good hygiene is very uncharacteristic for those in the musical profession. Next, aside from being really tall, he's also really lanky. I imagine what it would be like to tie his left hand to his right foot and balance him in the corner of our conference room like a giant Gumby. Lastly, he's so damn happy to be here, he just won't stop smiling. I want to tell him to hurry up and get pissed off at the world already, but he quickly disarms me: "I like your heart pendant," he says in his raspy, boyish tone." "It looks like candy, I could eat it right off your neck." At this moment, I have a huge decision to make: Is Tyler Hilton, age 20, going to end up the younger brother I never had, or the younger boyfriend I really want?
One long, flirty interview and about three or four nights spent hanging out at various events since then (check us out together, pictured above, at TEEN PEOPLE's "Young Hollywood" Party!), I'm still not really sure if Tyler Hilton is boyfriend material. Let's get straight to the pros and cons:
PRO: When he sings, you will melt. Listen to an acoustic version of his song "Rollin Home" from his new album, The Tracks of?: Quicktime / Real
CON: Wherever Tyler goes, undoubtedly there's a gaggle of other girls surrounding him. A lot of them are annoyingly pretty, and suddenly the quirky glasses you're wearing make you feel like the girl in the cafeteria who's mom packed her some stanky hard-boiled eggs for lunch.
PRO: He gets along really well with his family, and what girl doesn't get all swoony when a dude talks about his relatives like they're royalty? "My dad's my best friend," says Boy Elvis. And it shows. Dad was right there, laughing along when Tyler offered to eat my neck. Dad's so cool, if things don't work out with me and Ty, well?
CON: Tyler's a travelin' man. Who knows if he'll ever get it out of his system? Currently he's touring with Rock the Vote, deciding to give up his apartment in L.A. while he's away. "I love my cat, my roommate, my neighborhood, but it's so much easier just being on the road. You don't ever have to deal with what you're going to wear that day, you only have so many choices."
OK, OK, Ty. But don't you ever get lonely? Doncha ever just wish you had a nice girl like me to snuggle up to at the end of a long show? Even Elvis had his Priscilla. But alas, a girl can only wait so long. I'm giving you until the New Year to come to your senses. If I don't find you strumming a love ballad for me at the top of the Empire State Building by midnight, Jan. 1, you're history.
... Um, unless you get nominated for a Grammy. In that case, I'll be your date to the event, no invite necessary.
The Tracks of... hits stores Sept. 28. Also stay tuned for Tyler's six-episode guest-starring role on One Tree Hill, beginning Oct. 26. Move on over Chad, there's a new kid on your block -- and he might just have better hair than you.
