Tyler Henry has become one of the most recognizable psychic mediums in America, star of multiple television series and a waiting list of over 700,000 people seeking private readings. From a small California town to Hollywood's elite, his journey from teenager to celebrity medium has been dramatic—and controversial.
Henry says he first discovered his clairvoyant abilities at age 10 when he had a premonition of his grandmother's death:
"One night I went to bed and woke up shortly before midnight and felt this memory of my grandmother's passing. It felt like a knowingness, it was as if I was just recollecting an event that already happened. But it didn't make any sense because when I had gone to bed, my grandmother was alive. I went to explain this to my mom—I was very upset—and as I was explaining, her phone rang. It was the news that my grandmother had just died. That was really the catalyst that set my life on this path."
As Henry's abilities developed, he became an outcast in his hometown—so much so that he decided to become homeschooled and graduate early at age 16.
Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry premiered on E! in January 2016 and ran for four seasons (2016-2019), featuring Henry giving readings to celebrities. [1][2] The show was produced by 44 Blue and became one of E!'s most-watched series.
Life After Death with Tyler Henry premiered on Netflix in March 2022. The slower-paced series featured Henry traveling across America giving readings to people on his waiting list. The show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in the category "Outstanding Lifestyle Program." [6][7]
Live from the Other Side with Tyler Henry premiered on Netflix in September 2024. This live series features Henry giving readings to celebrity guests with no advance knowledge of who he'll be reading—the identities are kept secret until cameras roll. [8][9] Each episode runs approximately 43 minutes with guests like Chrishell Stause, Nikki Glaser, and Billy Porter.
Henry has given readings to numerous celebrities, including:
Henry tours the country with "An Evening of Hope and Healing," featuring live readings and stories from his journey. [4]
Henry describes his approach as focusing on "validation and getting the specifics":
"My goal as a medium is really just to provide validation and get specifics, which is what people think of when they think of a medium, because it's really about the validation and getting the specifics. That maintains the integrity of the experience." [3]
He emphasizes that he doesn't claim to predict the future in a fortunetelling sense, but rather connects people with loved ones who have passed:
"I just consider a psychic ability to be a spiritual ability... I would say my gift is really more focused with connecting people with loved ones and relaying impressions and feelings from their energy. That's the essence of what I do." [3]
Henry describes receiving information through "mental images" and intuitive impressions. He compares it to "recollecting an event that already happened" rather than seeing the future unfold like a movie. [3]
One of Henry's most famous readings was with actor Alan Thicke in 2016, shortly before Thicke's death. During the reading, Henry told Thicke to get his heart checked, mentioning "heart and blood pressure problem like multiple men" in Thicke's family. [11] Thicke died of an aortic dissection on December 13, 2016, at age 69. [11]
Critics note that heart disease is the number one cause of death for American males, making this a statistically likely prediction. [11]
Tyler Henry Gives Tiffany Haddish Closure & Makes Terrell Owens A Believer - Full reading with comedian Tiffany Haddish and NFL star Terrell Owens (2025, 98K views)
Tyler Henry Turns Terra Jolé's Husband From Skeptic To Believer - Reading with Little Women: LA star Terra Jolé (2025, 27K views)
Tyler Henry Connects True Crime Reporter & Skeptic Nancy Grace - Nancy Grace reading (2025, 1.1M views)
Did Tyler Predict Khloe Kardashian's Drama With Tristan? - Predicting Khloe Kardashian's relationship issues (2018)
Daytime Emmy Nomination - Life After Death was nominated for "Outstanding Lifestyle Program" at the 50th Annual Daytime Emmys [6][7]
Television Academy Profile - Featured in the Television Academy's "5 Things You Didn't Know About Tyler Henry" piece, highlighting his background and career [6]
Henry has become one of the most famous mediums in the world, with a waiting list reported at over 700,000 people. [9] His shows have been praised by audiences for providing comfort and closure to grieving individuals.
The Netflix Tudum profile noted: "The identities of Live from the Other Side guests are kept a secret from Henry until the cameras start rolling—in fact, Henry never knows who he's reading until he sits down with them." [8]
Many celebrities have spoken positively about their readings:
Tyler Henry has been the subject of significant skeptical scrutiny, particularly from professional skeptic Susan Gerbic, who has written extensively about him in the Skeptical Inquirer.
Gerbic and other critics argue that Henry uses cold reading techniques—making general statements that could apply to anyone, then using the sitter's reactions to narrow down to specific information:
"What I think is that, with a close look at the actual reading, we can see that there are almost no specific hits, some very general statements and lots of leading the sitter to giving up the information themselves. Information that Henry just regurgitates back to the sitter as if he knew it all along." [12]
Critics also allege "hot reading"—gathering information about clients beforehand:
"Henry does not sit down and start within seconds of him entering the building; there is plenty of time for him to excuse himself to the restroom … with his phone … and do a quick internet search." [13]
The reality blurred review noted: "a considerable chunk of the 40-something minutes of the first episode were him saying things that went nowhere... Then he scribbles in his notebook as he tries to find a new vague topic." [14]
Susan Gerbic has coined the term "grief vampire" to describe Henry:
"Grief vampire, because... Henry tells the interviewer his goal for the future. It is to work with parents who have lost their children to suicide... He isn't just a grief vampire; he is aspiring to be one of the most despicable types of grief vampires." [14]
In October 2024, before devastating Los Angeles wildfires destroyed Ricki Lake's home, Henry had given her a reading mentioning "loss of material objects from both fire and water." [15] Critics note this was a Barnum statement—vague enough to apply to almost any tragedy. As Gerbic wrote: "Henry didn't warn her about the fire in his reading, right? Then how come he's still no warning?" [15]
Unlike some other mediums (such as John Edward), Tyler Henry has not submitted to controlled scientific testing under laboratory conditions. Critics note this is a significant distinction from mediums who have participated in peer-reviewed research.
In interviews, Henry has said:
"I think it's important to embrace skepticism... I am content with people asking questions." [16]
"I think there is something to be said about the value that we can get from those moments of validation." [14]
Tyler Henry represents a new generation of celebrity mediums who have achieved mainstream success through reality television. Born in 1996 in rural California, he discovered his abilities at age 10 and built a career serving both celebrities and ordinary people seeking closure.
His supporters praise his ability to provide comfort and validation to grieving individuals. His critics argue that his readings can be explained through cold reading, hot reading, and careful editing—techniques that don't require any supernatural abilities.
Unlike mediums such as John Edward who have participated in controlled scientific studies, Henry has not submitted to rigorous scientific testing. His continued success suggests there's significant public appetite for mediumship content, regardless of the debate over whether these abilities are real.
[2] Wikipedia - Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry
[3] Metro Weekly - Interview with Tyler Henry
[4] Spectrum Local News - Tyler Henry's rise as a celebrity medium
[5] The Cut - Medium Tyler Henry's Growing Waitlist And Engagement News
[6] Television Academy - Tyler Henry Emmy Awards
[7] IMDb - Tyler Henry Biography
[8] Netflix Tudum - Tyler Henry Has a Message to Deliver on Live From the Other Side
[9] Them - Tyler Henry on His Live Netflix Show
[10] YouTube - Tyler Henry Connects Nancy Grace
[11] Skeptical Inquirer - The One Where "Psychic" Tyler Henry Reads Alan Thicke
[12] Skeptical Inquirer - Anatomy of a Reading
[13] Skeptical Inquirer - Tyler Henry Bombs From the Other Side
[14] Reality Blurred - Is 'grief vampire' Tyler Henry's live Netflix show any good?
[15] Skeptical Inquirer - Turning a Miss Into a Hit
[16] Skeptical Inquirer - Sigh Tyler Henry enabled by CBS This Morning