IN CONVERSATION WITH TYLER CAMERON

Interview by JANA LETONJA

Numéro Netherlands Digital Presents TV personality, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Tyler Cameron, co-founder of the Andrea C. Cameron Foundation. He’s leading and executive producing the upcoming home renovation series ‘Going Home with Tyler Cameron’, premiering on Prime Video on April 18th. Tyler, who captured America’s hearts on ‘The Bachelorette’, recently appeared on Fox’s ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test’. Tyler is starring in an exclusive men’s fashion editorial by Ryan Lucca.

Tyler, on 18th April we’ll be able to watch you making your dreams come true in Prime Video’s home renovation series ‘Going Home with Tyler Cameron’. How did this project come to fruition?

I’ve always wanted to get back into construction. My father worked in construction, so I grew up in that type of environment and fell in love with it. Then we had this idea of starting a construction company and showcasing my passion and my favorite place in the world with all of my friends.

We’ll get to follow you running your own company, manage your team and foremost, keep your clients happy. What were the biggest lessons you’ve learnt about running a business in the early stages of starting your construction company?

The customer is always right, no matter what, so even though it’s just a house to you, it’s a home to
them and that’s the motto I live by.

Throughout the episodes, the projects will gett bigger and bigger, but the most important renovation of all will be turning your mom’s house into the family home she has always dreamt of. How challenging and emotional was taking this project on?

It was very challenging, both emotionally and physically. There is so much history and memories in that home, so it was definitely tough and bittersweet throughout the demo process. It was always a dream of mine to hand my mom the keys to her finished home, so with her not being here, it was really hard not being able to do that. But I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish and I know she would be too.

How did you approach the renovation of the house she left behind? What were the most important things you kept in mind throughout its renovation?

The most important thing was making sure that we incorporated the list of ideas she always envisioned for her dream home. She really wanted a pool, so it was really important to have that along with a nice, welcoming backyard area. My mom always made every space feel warm and inviting, and since she’s been gone, the house turned into somewhat of a wreck, so my main goal was to make it feel like her home again.

Fans of ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’ got to know you when you captured America’s hearts on the 15th season of ‘The Bachelorette’. What made you apply for the show and how did it impact your life?

Applying on the show was a joke at first as I was originally trying to apply for the WWE. I sent in an application and my friends thought it would be funny if I applied for other shows, and that’s how I came across ‘The Bachelorette’. Surprisingly, ABC was the first to call back and the rest is history.

Soon after the show, you lost your mom. How did her passing encourage you to follow your dreams and never give up?

My mom always instilled hard work and making sure to push yourself. I knew I had to keep honoring her. I always tell myself “I want to keep making Momma proud and work as hard as possible as she always did the same for us”.

Together with your two brothers, you founded the Andrea C. Cameron Foundation, a non-profit organization that honors your late mother, providing scholarships to local students and contributions to your community in Jupiter, Florida. Why was it so important to set up this foundation and to give back to the community?

My mom was as selfless as one can be and was always such a huge believer in giving to others. That’s what we hope to keep doing with this foundation and are here to carry on her legacy.

‘The Bachelorette’ was not the only time we’ve been able to see you in Reality TV, as you recently also appeared and won the second season of ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test’. How challenging and rewarding was this experience for you?

That was one of the most grueling, toughest experiences I have ever been through and something that I needed in order to get back on track with my priorities. Looking back, ‘Special Forces’ is something that I will always be proud of as I have never pushed myself to that length before.

Besides TV, you have also published a book ‘You Deserve Better’ and are hosting a radio show and podcast ‘Everybody but Me’, exploring dating and relationships. If you had to give out only one dating advice to our readers, what would it be?

Just take the chance. Take the bat off your shoulder and take a swing at it. What’s the worst that could happen, other than you miss and you find someone else to talk to. Always take a chance because you never know what it can turn into.

After ‘Going Home with Tyler Cameron’, what’s coming up next for you? Are you already working on any new, exciting projects?

Of course, construction is going to be my number one priority. Separately, I’ll be traveling back and forth between Florida, New York, Los Angeles and potentially Europe this summer for a few fun, confidential upcoming projects. I’m finally dipping my feet back into modeling and it is making me realize that fashion is a huge passion of mine and I’m excited to continue to dive further into that world.

TEAM CREDITS:
talent TYLER CAMERON
creative director RYAN LUCCA
photographer VICTORIA STEVENS
stylist NATA BOCHA
styling assistant ALENA ALIFIRUK
assistant ROSS ZAVOYNA
groomer NICOLE ELLE KING Elle King at Wall Group
producer JENNIFER ROVERO
production EARLY MORNING RIOT
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA