Brian Littrell Gets Emotional Over Son’s ‘American Idol’ Audition, Performs Surprise Duet
Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell got emotional watching his son, Baylee Littrell, chasing his American Idol dreams.
The 22-year-old’s audition was shown during the Sunday, March 9, premiere of the singing competition’s 23rd season. New judge Carrie Underwood said she noticed something “familiar” about Baylee before he revealed his dad’s identity.
“You must forgive me, I didn’t have your dad’s posters in my room,” Luke Bryan teased as Underwood, 41, exclaimed that Baylee resembled his father.
Baylee opened up to the Idol cameras about growing up in the spotlight at the height of the Backstreet Boys’ success, joking that while he inherited his singing abilities from his dad, the same couldn’t be said for dancing.
“Following in my dad’s footsteps is scary because his career to me is one of the most extraordinary in music history. No one can ever compare,” Baylee gushed. “I remember being 8 or 9 years old and they sold out this huge arena and I got to open up for them. I just had my two little songs and I came off stage and when the guys went on, the screams and the lights went down. I was just mesmerized.”
Brian, now 50, reflected on how his time as a boy band star affected his son, whom he shares with wife Leighanne Wallace.
“Obviously, growing up in the industry, a lot of people look at that as such a perk. But it’s not easy,” Brian said. “I’ve always told everybody that he’s 10 times more talented than I ever was.”
Outside of the audition room, Brian teared up while praising Baylee’s hard work. “We’re super proud. … I think he’s cut out for it,” he added.
Baylee went on to perform an “emotional” original song for Bryan, 48, Underwood and Lionel Richie. “This song is about me personally wanting to give up and not giving up yet,” he told the cameras. “Trust me, I wish I wanted to do something completely different. But if I’m not doing music, there’s no way I can really exist.”
His performance left Underwood stunned — even more so due to the fact that he wrote the song himself. “I think you could go very, very far in this competition,” she said.
Bryan subsequently invited Baylee’s dad to sing the chorus with him. “I don’t know what to do anymore / I seem to be all alone in this war / Always by myself with no one by my side,” the pair sang. “What to do, what to do with my life / It seems I have no more tears left to cry / Misery takes my time / I’m waiting on myself to die.”
Following the surprise duet, Underwood reiterated that Baylee’s talent spoke for itself. “For your superstar singer dad to come in here, I feel like for anybody else, it would make you look bad. But it didn’t. You were right there with him,” she said. “You didn’t pale, you didn’t shy away. You were like, ‘This is my moment.’”
When all three judges agreed on sending Baylee to Hollywood, Brian said proudly, “I’m gonna cry. I’m crying.”
American Idol airs on ABC Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.
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Even with a famous father, breaking into the music industry is no easy feat. Just ask Baylee Littrell, whose dad is Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell.
Although he’s had a nice platform to help kickstart his career, Baylee is looking for a bigger push as he aims to become a country music star. That’s why he auditioned for Season 23 of American Idol. Ahead of the Sunday, March 9, premiere, learn more about the aspiring singer below.
Baylee was born on November 26, 2002, in Atlanta, and he is a country music singer and songwriter who is also pursuing a degree from Louisiana State University online. After developing a passion for performing at a young age, he began opening arena shows for the Backstreet Boys at the age of 9. When he was 13, he performed on Broadway in the musical Disaster! However, as a child, he was also athletic, and played lacrosse, basketball, and soccer.
After his Broadway stint, Baylee decided to focus his energy into becoming a country music artist and started writing songs. He opened for the Backstreet boys on their 2019 DNA World Tour, then served as an opener for country singer Chris Lane later that year.
Ahead of his time on American Idol, Baylee has already released his own original music. His debut album 770-Country came out in November 2019. He collaborated with artists like Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia line, as well as his dad, Brian. Baylee’s follow-up project was an EP called EP Vol. One in September 2022.
Baylee’s dad is Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, and his mom is Leighanne Littrell (née Wallace). Leighanne and Brian met on the set of the Backstreet Boys’ music video for “As Long as You Love Me” in 1997, which she was starring in as an extra. They got engaged on Christmas Day 1999, then tied the knot in September 2000. Baylee is their only child. The couple is still together today.
Baylee appears to have a close relationship with his parents. In February, he penned a special tribute to his dad on Instagram in honor of the singer’s 50th birthday.
“Happy Birthday dad! I love you so much,” he wrote. “Proud of the man you are and the strength that you show everyday. The big 50 and you are still knocking down jump shots and hitting threes. In all seriousness, I love seeing your hard work and dedication pay off and it will continue to for many years to come. Love you Dad.”
On Mother’s Day 2024, he also gushed over his mom, writing, “I don’t know how I could ever go through life without you. You are kind and generous and a true living angel in my eyes.”
Baylee has a girlfriend named Klaudia who is from Chicago and attends Emory University, according to her Instagram bio. It’s unclear exactly when they started dating, but she first posted on Instagram with Baylee in April 2023.
In a 22nd birthday tribute to Baylee, Klaudia gushed, “Bay, you are the most admirable person on this planet. I love you with my entire being and am forever grateful that you came into my life and I get to call you mine. Your insurmountable amount of love, talent, wisdom, humor, and intelligence forever inspires me. I adore listening to all of your stories, your ideas, and your comedy skits. To know you is to love you. I hope this year brings forth all the best. More success, more adventures, more camping trips, more of our traditional nights in and out, and all the love in the world.”
In 2008, when Baylee was just 6 years old, he was diagnosed with atypical Kawasaki syndrome, an inflammation of blood vessels. He was hospitalized after symptoms like high fever, full-body rash, and blisters on his throat.
“We didn’t know what we were dealing with until we found his coronary artery three times the size it should be,” Brian revealed in 2009. It took two weeks to diagnose the child, after which he had a standard 12-hour treatment where he was give medication to reduce the inflammation. He made a full recovery.
American Idol, Season 23 Premiere, Sunday, March 9, 8/7c, ABC
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