‘I Want Them to Have Their Family and Leave Me Alone’

Tyler Francis is speaking out about his relationship with his biological children and the backlash he’s faced since season 7 of Love Is Blind. In an emotional interview on the Dear Future Wifey podcast with Laterras R. Whitfield, Tyler opened up about why he hasn’t been a part of his children’s lives, clarifying his role as more of a “sperm donor” than an active father.

The controversy surrounding Tyler began after it was revealed on the show that he was not involved in his children’s lives. Speculation grew when photos and videos surfaced of him with the kids during holiday celebrations. The children’s mother, Bri Thomas, later alleged on social media that Tyler was an absentee father who owed child support, fueling further public scrutiny.

Tyler, however, pushed back on those claims, maintaining that he never intended to take on the role of a father. “I wasn’t active, so it’s hard for people to say, ‘He was active, there are pictures, there are videos,’” he explained. “If you take moments over the past five, six years and compile them, it can look like I’ve been very active, but that’s not the full story.”

Tyler said his involvement began when his friend Bri, who was in a lesbian relationship, broke up with her fiancée and wanted their son to have a father figure. Later, the two conceived twin girls. But when Bri reconciled with her fiancée, Tyler said she asked him to step back from the family dynamic.

In a candid moment, Tyler explained why he has kept his distance. “I want them to have their family and leave me alone,” he told Whitfield. “That’s honestly what I want because at this point, even if I put it in the back of my mind that I could have a relationship with them, I wouldn’t want to be attached to that family. Not the kids, per se, because again, innocent kids, beautiful kids. I’m just saying, but they come with everyone else.”

Tyler also addressed criticism for not disclosing his children to Ashley Adionser early in their relationship. He admitted he regrets not being upfront in the pods, saying, “I do just wish I told Ashley upfront and let her make that decision.” He revealed that they worked through the issue privately after filming. “She’s a very strong, intelligent woman who makes great decisions her entire life,” Tyler added.

While Tyler has taken on some roles in the children’s lives at various points, he reiterated that he never intended to be a father figure. “I don’t feel like a father. What I feel like is a glorified babysitter that you need money from,” he said.

As Tyler navigates the public fallout, he says his focus is on building a stable foundation for his marriage to Ashley and moving forward. “At this point, I’m just trying to focus on my future and not on the past.”