Steven Tyler faced renewed criticism online following Aerosmith’s recent comeback performances at the Hollywood Bowl, after his past comments about his daughter Liv Tyler resurfaced on social media. The remarks sparked backlash in a discussion on Reddit.
The comments that drew fire included Tyler’s previous statement about being sexually attracted to his daughter. Fans also recalled other controversial remarks Tyler had made about young women in past interviews.
One music fan shared a quote from Tyler’s earlier statement that resurfaced, where he said, “‘A father is always gonna be sexually attracted to his daughter.'”
Another fan responded with sympathy for Liv Tyler. “I feel so sorry for Liv. Like imagine your dad saying that about you? I’d never speak to him again!”
A third fan brought up additional history. “Not the first time either. I remember when he made gross comments about underage girls when doing promo for Janie’s Got A Gun way back in the day on Entertainment Tonight. ‘It was okay to think it, but not to do it.'”
Another fan referenced Tyler’s creative choices involving his daughter. “We all knew this guy was a creep since he put his daughter and another teenager in a music video where they were portrayed as lovers and had them dancing around a pole.”
The comments surfaced as Tyler performed with Aerosmith on their two-night comeback shows. The renewed attention to his past remarks has renewed debate about his public statements and behavior over the years.
The Hollywood Bowl concerts on October 29 and November 1, 2026 marked the first full Aerosmith shows since the band retired from touring. Tyler had sustained a vocal injury in 2023 only a few days into their farewell tour, leading Aerosmith to announce in August 2024 that it would cease touring effective immediately and cancel the remainder of the tour.
Tyler’s comments about his daughter were published in Gavin Edwards’ book “Is Tiny Dancer Really Elton’s Little John?”. In those remarks, Tyler attempted to draw a line between attraction and action, saying that “the real man knows that’s just a place to never go.” The controversy resurfaced online as the band returned to performing after more than two years away from the stage.
A lawsuit filed against Tyler in December 2022 by Julia Misley, formerly known as Julia Holcomb, has also kept questions about his past behavior in public discussion. Misley claimed that Tyler sexually abused her for years beginning in 1973, when she was a high school sophomore and he was 25. Tyler has denied wrongdoing and disputed her claims. In September 2026, a Los Angeles County judge abruptly recused herself just two weeks before a trial was set to begin over the allegations.
Tyler’s 1989 song “Janie’s Got a Gun” deals with a father’s abuse of his daughter, a topic that has drawn renewed scrutiny given the resurfaced comments. Following the song’s release, Tyler launched Janie’s Fund, a nonprofit organization providing protection and counseling for female victims of abuse.
