What Did Tyler, the Creator Say at Coachella About Jerrod Carmichael’s ‘Love’ Confession?

Jerrod Carmichael is an interesting comedian. He’s refreshingly honest and is definitely a provocateur, but those moments of truth are often framed in extremely awkward scenarios.

Knowing this is his brand of entertainment, it’s no surprise that the “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show,” would be a tough watch at times. We expected heartbreaking, emotional revelations as he and his family discussed his sexuality. However, we also expected cringeworthy moments in his interactions with famous friends.

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The comedian didn’t waste time making things awkward, putting an extremely personal moment on display in the first episode. The series received tons of buzz for an arc in which Carmichael revealed to his good friend, Tyler, the Creator, that he had romantic feelings for the rapper.

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“I fell in love with my best friend. One out of 10, don’t recommend,” Carmichael said in a stand up set that aired during the episode. “I knew I had to tell him. Things started getting kind of weird between us. I had these feelings…So I texted him. I remember saying, ‘I know you didn’t ask for this, but somewhere down the line I developed feelings for you and I don’t know what to do with that.’ Then I immediately turned my phone off and went into therapy.”

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On the show, Carmichael reveals that Tyler responded with a voice note where he jokingly called him a “stupid b***h.” They ended up talking about the situation, but it definitely felt like their friendship had been irreparably changed. The rapper confirmed his discomfort with the whole ordeal during his headlining set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Saturday.

“Probably seen my homie tried to f**k me on camera, it was terrible,” Tyler said on stage. “I told the n***a ‘no’ and he said, ‘But what about if we filmed it?’”

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How much of this is real and how much is fabricated for TV is up for debate. But what most of us can agree on is that this probably never should’ve been part of the show. If the point is to follow Carmichael’s life and this is a pivotal moment for him, I get it. However, this is all so uncomfortable and personal for both of them, it feels like he may have sacrificed his friendship to get big numbers for the premiere of his new series.

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During a recent appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” Carmichael was asked about the current state of his relationship with Tyler and he said it was “good,” though they “haven’t talked” since the episode aired.

Where Does Jerrod Carmichael Stand With Tyler, the Creator? | WWHL

Based on Tyler’s comments at Coachella, it feels like there may not be much to talk about.

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While Carmichael’s comedy works when his personal revelations help others feel like someone understands him, it can’t be easy for him to reckon with the emotional cost of being so open.

In case you’re curious about his series, “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” airs new episodes every Friday on HBO and is available to stream on Max.