Baylee Littrell delivered one of the season’s most highly anticipated auditions. The 23-year-old is the son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell, who teased his presence on Idol in early February. Littrell said on social media, “I recently auditioned for @americanidol 🙏🏼.” Watch the season opener and find out what happens on 3/9/25!”
The news elicited both delight and cynicism. Bayle has spent most of his life performing on stage and creating his own fan following. He began opening for his father’s band at the age of nine and later starred in the Broadway show Disaster!
Following his Broadway stint, Littrell focused on becoming a country singer and songwriter. In 2019, he opened for the Backstreet Boys’ DNA World Tour, as well as Chris Lane. He also released his debut album, 770-Country, in 2019.
Some fans believed Baylee didn’t need the stage that American Idol provides for young singers. But most people were excited to witness the amazing young vocalist, particularly new judge Carrie Underwood.
When Littrell entered the audition area, Carrie noticed that guy seemed familiar. “There’s something about you that looks familiar,” Carrie said before he revealed who his father is.
“It isn’t easy.” I’ve always told everyone he’s ten times more talented than I was,” Brian told the cameras before Baylee’s audition.
Baylee amazed the judges with her unique song.
“You’re quite good. Carrie complimented Baylee, “You’re really good.” “You got there emotionally. I believe you have the potential to excel in this tournament.
Brian joined his kid in the room for a brief duet, which prompted Carrie to fangirl. “I feel like for anyone else, having your superstar dad join you would make you look bad, but it doesn’t.”
The judges decided unanimously to send Baylee to Hollywood, and they all believed that his chances in the competition were promising.
Baylee’s tale goes beyond just being Brian Littrell’s kid.
When Baylee was six years old, he was diagnosed with Kawasaki Syndrome, a rare childhood condition that causes inflammation of blood vessels. If not addressed, it can have long-term effects on the arteries that supply the heart.
“We didn’t know what we were dealing with until we found his coronary artery three times the size it should be,” Brian told me in 2009.
A high temperature, a rash covering his entire body, and throat blisters led to Bayle’s admission to the hospital. It took two weeks for Baylee to be diagnosed, but she received immediate treatment and recovered completely.
Watch Baylee Littrell’s American Idol audition in the video embedded below.
