'A father is always gonna be sexually attracted to his daughter...' A controversial remark made by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler about his daughter, actress Liv Tyler, is once again making rounds on social media. The statement, published in Gavin Edwards' 2006 book Is Tiny Dancer Really Elton's Little John?, has resurfaced as the 78-year-old singer faces an unresolved California civil lawsuit alleging he sexually abused a teenager in the 1970s.
Tyler denies wrongdoing in the case brought by Julia Misley, who says she was 16 when their relationship began in 1973. A judge narrowed her lawsuit in April 2026 but allowed allegations involving California to proceed.
Despite the pending lawsuit, Tyler has returned to performing, joining Aerosmith at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on 29 October 2026. The concert marked the band's first full live performance since 2023, following a vocal injury that forced the group to retire from touring. His daughter Liv, 49, and actress Alicia Silverstone introduced the band before the performance.
What Did Steven Tyler Say About Liv Tyler?
Music writer Gavin Edwards asked Tyler whether he ever found himself inappropriately attracted to Liv. Tyler answered affirmatively and argued that fathers could experience sexual attraction to their daughters. Edwards published the exchange in Is Tiny Dancer Really Elton's Little John?, his 2006 book, and later reproduced it on his website.
Tyler suggested that a daughter's resemblance to her parents explained such feelings, framing his answer as a broader assertion about fathers. He also drew a line between attraction and action, saying 'the real man knows that's just a place to never go'. He referred to Aerosmith's 'Janie's Got a Gun', a song dealing with a father's abuse of his daughter.
Liv, whose mother is model and singer Bebe Buell, starred in Armageddon and The Lord of the Rings films. In a July 2026 online discussion about Aerosmith's music videos, commenters revisited Tyler's remarks about fathers and daughters. Misley's lawsuit does not allege misconduct involving Liv.
A Teenage Relationship at the Centre of the Lawsuit
Misley, formerly known as Julia Holcomb, filed her complaint on 27 December 2022 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. She alleges Tyler groomed and sexually assaulted her after they met at an Aerosmith concert in Portland, Oregon, in November 1973, when she was 16 and he was 25. Their relationship continued as she travelled with him and later lived in Massachusetts.
Misley also alleges Tyler took her, while naked, through a Beverly Hills hotel to a public hot tub in 1974, where they had sex. Tyler denies wrongdoing and has characterised their relationship as consensual. California's age of consent was 18 at the time, according to the court's ruling.
STEVEN TYLER: persuaded the mother of Julia Holcomb, 16 (a minor in the US) to give HIM legal guardianship over her.
— . (@LouiseRawAuthor) October 5, 2024
She lost her sexual assault lawsuit.
Jail time served: zero
5/ pic.twitter.com/MVPxe4DrxV
On 28 April 2026, Judge Patricia A. Young rejected Tyler's request to dismiss the entire case but excluded claims arising from conduct outside California. The court allowed the California allegations, including an emotional-distress claim, to continue. The ruling was not a finding that the allegations had been proved.
Steven Tyler Returns to the Stage as Abuse Lawsuit Continues
Tyler's return to the stage comes as he continues to fight allegations of sexual abuse in court. At the Hollywood Bowl, the singer performed Aerosmith classics including 'Dream On', 'Sweet Emotion' and 'Walk This Way', with Dave Grohl joining the band on drums.The performance was part of a two-night concert event held on 29 October and 1 November 2026, even as Tyler's civil lawsuit remains unresolved.
The lawsuit was delayed again after Young recused herself on 15 September 2026, removing a planned jury trial from the calendar. Following Young's recusal, the parties were directed to appear before Supervising Judge Lawrence Riff on 18 September 2026 to address the case's reassignment and trial readiness.
An earlier ruling also removed portions of Misley's emotional-distress complaint based on the publication of Tyler's memoirs. The lawsuit remains unresolved as the parties await a new trial schedule.
