‘Love on the Spectrum’ star Tanner Smith shares faith, love for life at Convocation

Liberty University welcomed reality TV star Tanner Smith and his mother, Nicci, to the Convocation stage Wednesday to share about their faith and Tanner’s experiences on Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum.”

The television show features a group of individuals with autism as they navigate the confusing world of dating. Tanner participated in the show’s second and third seasons, becoming a fan favorite in the process.

“‘Love on the Spectrum’ to me, is a gift to the world,” Nicci said. “It has been an unbelievable experience to be associated with it.”

Joined on stage by Vice President of Spiritual Development Josh Rutledge, Nicci and Tanner shared how their involvement on the show started with an application before blossoming into something much greater over the next two years. Tanner said the show taught him to try new things and instilled within him a sense of self-confidence.

Tanner is most well-known for his infectious cheerfulness, always smiling and always upbeat. When asked why he’s always so joyful, Tanner said it stems from his strong relationship with Christ and his gratitude for the wonderful life God has given him.

“I’m a joyful person because I was born into a loving family and I asked Jesus into my heart at the beach when I was 11,” he said. “I’m thankful for everything I have. It’s easier to be a joyful person when you’re thankful for what you have.”

Tanner, 27, was diagnosed with autism at a young age. He explained his autism as simply his brain “works a little differently” from others. He said autism affects each individual uniquely.

Although Nicci admitted that her family did not originally know how to respond to her son’s diagnosis, she said they found support in their Christian faith.

“Obviously, there were quite a few years that were not smiley, happy, and joyful like the last few years have been,” she said. “But it was in those years I truly learned what surrender meant, and I truly learned about God having a purpose and that He makes us in our mother’s womb exactly as we are supposed to be for His unique purpose.”

“Tanner’s life has been the most beautiful walking, breathing example of that,” she added. “For us (it means being) able to show that different doesn’t mean bad, and that when you didn’t get the answer you wanted, it doesn’t mean the outcome is not going to be wonderful; it just means you’re going to take a different path to get to it. The things you might walk and see along the way may be far more meaningful and far more impactful than what you originally had planned.”

Tanner is a graduate of ClemsonLIFE, a special program at Clemson University dedicated to educating individuals with intellectual disabilities on living independently and becoming a valuable employee.

“ClemsonLIFE made me learn how to be independent and have a job,’ Tanner said, noting he currently works for The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson, S.C. “It’s the first time I made friends away from home.”

Liberty recently launched LibertyLIFE, a similar program to ClemsonLIFE with the added mission of helping those with intellectual disabilities reach their God-given potential as Champions for Christ. Students are learning life and employability skills such as cooking, cleaning, professionalism, problem solving, critical thinking, and more. They have opportunities to audit a variety of credited classes and attend Liberty events and dining facilities just like any other student.

“We are so excited for the students that are going to come here and experience that same thing (at LibertyLIFE),” Nicci said. “I would encourage everyone of you (students) to volunteer in the program, support it, and push it along because it’s life changing.”

One day, Tanner hopes to produce his own television show called, “Tanner Tries,” to show others that anything is possible. He currently hosts episodes of the series on his YouTube page @tannerwiththetism.

“Everything that has happened in his life in the last two years is so far beyond the realm of what we ever dreamed possible,” Nicci said. “He could be the walking, breathing example of that to the next generation of kids — that you can have autism and learning disabilities and you can still host a show, you can still go to college, and you can be wearing a Clemson ring, even with those harder things in your path. If that isn’t what God has in store for him, I know it’s going to be something great.”

Tanner closed out the message by praying over the 10,000 students in the room. After Convocation, LibertyLife students had the chance to meet Tanner backstage.