LOS ANGELES -- "Tyler, Tyler, Tyler," the crowd chanted while staring up at YouTube sensation Tyler Oakley, who's blushing atop the House of Blues balcony at a recent MTV music event he attended just to watch the artists perform onstage.
With his disarming smile, captivating wit, impact on pop culture and knack for social activism, which has attracted millions of rabid online and offline followers, Oakley is like the John Lennon of the YouTube generation.
Now, the 25-year-old will take his talents to the Grammy Awards, where he will interview celebrities using his own questions, as well as fan-submitted ones from social media.
Oakley's role is part of CBS.com's official Grammy live stream, and it isn't his first red carpet gig or major celebrity encounter. He has already impressed his 6.4 million YouTube subscribers and massive followings on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr by intimately meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House (pictured, below), guest starring on Joan Rivers' web series, twerking with Jessie J and more.
I had a meeting with the President and made a video all about it. There's a link on my Instagram profile, go watch and comment that Barack sent you to confuse non-Instagram people! A photo posted by tyleroakley (@tyleroakley) on Mar 5, 2014 at 2:52pm PST
Mashable interviewed Oakley, a self-described "mama's boy," about his big day on Sunday at the Grammys. Here's what he dished out:
Q&A with Tyler Oakley
Got a problem with one of the nicest stars in Hollywood? SHAKE IT OFF. Legit human, Taylor Swift. #VMAs #ETatVMAs #tyleroakley #taylorswift A photo posted by tyleroakley (@tyleroakley) on Aug 24, 2014 at 7:23pm PDT
Mashable: How did you get this Grammys red carpet role?
Oakley: I've been doing red carpet things for a while now -- whether they were for the VMAs (pictured, above), Kid's Choice, Trevor Live, MTV Movie Awards -- so just like any other career, you slowly move your way up with bigger opportunities. When I found out I'd be interviewing celebrities at the Grammys, I was ecstatic. It's something I've live-tweeted at home every year, so to finally be in the middle of it all is a dream come true.
How have you prepared?
When I found out, I immediately went on YouTube and watched past red carpet interviews at the Grammys. This is a big deal! I want to make sure I'm asking thought-provoking questions. I also asked my viewers to let me know what they want me to ask the celebrities. I've had some chances to talk to my favorites and ask them my questions, so this is a great opportunity for me to represent #TeamInternet and give the online community a microphone. As far my look? You'll just have to wait and see. I've got a good look planned. Hopefully no worst dressed list, this year.
What did you learn from your other red carpet experiences?
I've learned that no matter how much you prepare, the red carpet runs itself. It's chaos in the best way possible, and you never know who is going to turn the corner next and what spectacle is about to happen. What I've learned is to just roll with the punches, and have fun. This is my first Grammys, so I just want to take it all in and be able to look back and remember that I had fun.
Who are you most looking forward to interviewing?
I'd love to interview Lady Gaga. I met her a few years ago at a meet and greet for The Monster Ball Tour, and I was so starstruck. To interview her, I'd be beside myself. I'd also love to chat with Beyoncé and Sia. You know, casual hopes, just some newcomers, obviously. I'm kidding. Please don't skewer me, readers.
What kind of team are your bringing with you to the carpet?
CBS has an incredible group of people supporting me with resources to make it flow seamlessly, but I'm also bringing my bestie Korey Kuhl (pictured, below), who is a Billboard fanatic. He knows every music fact and statistic, and with him to help me, hopefully we'll be able to handle anything.
Amazing fanart of my new video with @koreykuhl! It's the Chicken Nugget Challenge (2014 Edition)! Link on my profile, go watch and comment that McDonalds sent you (let's confuse some non-Instagram people... ) A photo posted by tyleroakley (@tyleroakley) on Apr 6, 2014 at 6:30pm PDT
If you could interview a musician from a past Grammys, who would it be?
Maybe Lady Gaga at her first Grammys. Would have been incredible to see the debut of a cultural icon for the first time.
Are you going to give a shout-out to any friends or family?
If one of my mom's favorite artists stops to chat, I'll for sure let them know that my mom loves them. I'm a mama's boy, of course I've gotta give her some love.
@tyleroakley: Happy Mother's Day to my favorite woman ever, @nanajacquelyn - the queen who made me the man I am today. LOVE YOU! A photo posted by tyleroakley (@tyleroakley) on May 11, 2014 at 8:25pm PDT
To learn more about Oakley's rise to fame, watch this 2014 compilation: