For over a decade, the father-son duo of Brian Littrell and Baylee Littrell has captured the hearts of music fans with their shared passion for performance. Brian, a member of the iconic Backstreet Boys, has been a global pop sensation since the 1990s, selling millions of records and performing to sold-out arenas worldwide. Baylee, now 22, has followed in his father’s footsteps, carving out his own path as a country singer while cherishing the moments he’s shared on stage with his dad since he was just 9 years old. From opening for the Backstreet Boys on tour to a tear-jerking duet on American Idol in 2025, their journey together is a testament to the power of family, music, and the fleeting nature of time. As Baylee grows into his own as an artist, the Littrells’ story reminds us how quickly time flies when you’re chasing dreams side by side.
A Musical Upbringing on the Road
Baylee Littrell was born on November 26, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Brian Littrell and his wife, actress and model Leighanne Wallace. As the only child of a Backstreet Boy, Baylee’s early life was anything but ordinary. “I’ve pretty much grown up on the road since I can remember,” Baylee shared in a 2023 interview with PEOPLE. “My first crib was a bunk on a tour bus”. From the age of 5, Baylee was already stepping into the spotlight, introducing his dad on stage during Backstreet Boys concerts. By the time he was 9, he began opening for the band, performing two or three songs before the main act to audiences of thousands—an experience that would shape his future in music.
Brian, who joined the Backstreet Boys in 1993 after a last-minute audition arranged by his cousin and bandmate Kevin Richardson, had always been a musical influence in Baylee’s life. Growing up in a religious Baptist family in Lexington, Kentucky, Brian sang his first solo in church at age 7 and later performed at weddings as a teenager. His career with the Backstreet Boys skyrocketed in the late ‘90s with hits like “I Want It That Way,” making him a household name. But for Baylee, Brian wasn’t just a pop star—he was a dad who shared his love of music at every opportunity. Baylee recalled a childhood memory of dressing up in his dad’s tour outfits at 6 or 7, standing in front of a mirror and asking, “Hey, can I be a part of the group?” Brian reassured him, promising that Baylee would one day have his own successful career.
Those early performances at 9 were more than just a novelty—they were the beginning of Baylee’s own musical journey. “I remember being 8 or 9 years old and they sold out this huge arena, and I got to open up for them,” Baylee told E! Online in 2025. “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. I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh. What is this?’”. For Brian, watching his son take the stage was a source of immense pride, even if it came with the challenges of exposing a young child to the entertainment industry. “Obviously, growing up in the industry, a lot of people look at that as such a perk. But it’s not easy,” Brian noted.
Building a Career Together
Baylee’s passion for music grew as he did, nurtured by both his parents. Brian served as his musical director, teaching him to play the guitar, while Leighanne managed his career and offered creative input in the studio. Baylee’s talent became evident early on; at 6, his piano teacher heard him sing, and by 7, he was writing little poems that would become songs. Despite his parents’ initial concerns about the pressures of the industry, Baylee was determined to follow in their footsteps. At 13, he made his Broadway debut in the musical Disaster!, playing twins Ben and Lisa at the Nederlander Theatre in 2016, a role that earned him a Drama Desk Award nomination.
By 2019, Baylee’s career took a significant leap forward. At 16, he went on a 42-show run as the official opening act for the Backstreet Boys, performing for massive crowds night after night. “That was the experience of a lifetime,” Baylee reflected. “It was an out-of-body experience. It was crazy. Every night, it never gets old to hear my dad”. That same year, he released his debut album, 770-Country, a blend of country, pop, and rock influences, featuring singles like “Boxes,” “Don’t Knock It,” and “We Run This Beach” . The album included a duet with Brian titled “Come Kiss Me,” a track that showcased their vocal chemistry and the deep bond they share.
The album’s creation was a family affair, with Brian and Leighanne heavily involved. Baylee recalled waking his dad at 4 a.m. on the tour bus to share a new song idea, a ballad called “Let Her Go” inspired by a teenage breakup. “He’s done that several times at home,” Brian shared in a 2020 interview with Your Teen Magazine. “He’ll text me from his bedroom: ‘Dad, are you up? Can you come into my room?’ Any dad would be thrilled to have their child come to them for advice. These are memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime”. Leighanne, whom Baylee credits with having “the best ears in the entire world,” also contributed ideas for harmonies and phrasing, making the album a true collaboration.
A Milestone Moment on American Idol
The Littrells’ musical partnership reached a new height in 2025 when Baylee auditioned for Season 23 of American Idol. On March 9, the 22-year-old performed an original song, “Waiting on Myself to Die,” a raw and emotional track about struggling with the urge to give up. The judges—Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie—were visibly impressed from the first note, with Underwood later praising Baylee’s emotional depth and songwriting risk. “You’re really good,” she said. “I love the song, and that’s a risk too when people come in singing their own songs. You went there emotionally, and I think you could go very far in this competition”.
The audition took an unexpected turn when Luke Bryan asked if Baylee and Brian ever sang together. Baylee invited his dad into the room, and the father-son duo harmonized on the chorus of Baylee’s song, leaving the judges in awe. “For your superstar singer dad to come in here, I feel like for anybody else, it would make you look bad,” Underwood remarked. “But it didn’t. You were right there with him. You didn’t pale, you didn’t shy away. You were like, ‘This is my moment’”. Brian, watching from the sidelines, was overcome with emotion, tearing up as Baylee received a golden ticket to Hollywood. “I’m going to cry,” he admitted.
Baylee’s American Idol journey continued to resonate with audiences. On March 31, he performed another original song, “Hey Jesus,” a tribute to his late grandmother, who passed away three years prior. Baylee explained that his grandmother had been a pillar of support during Brian’s tours, understanding him in a way few others did. “I thought she was gonna be around for moments like this,” he shared, noting how her loss led him to question his faith—a struggle the song helped him overcome. Brian, watching his son perform, could be seen mouthing the lyrics, his pride and emotion palpable. The performance moved fans and judges alike, with Underwood again praising Baylee’s talent.
Time Flies: A Father and Son Reflect
The phrase “time flies” has never felt more fitting than when looking at Baylee and Brian’s journey. For Brian, seeing Baylee grow from a 9-year-old opening act to a 22-year-old American Idol contestant has been both a joy and a challenge. “He’s been busting his butt, and I’m super proud of him,” Brian told TODAY.com in February 2025. “He kind of gets a new sense of reality of what this is”. Brian, who has faced his own struggles—including open-heart surgery in 1998 to correct a congenital heart defect and a 2011 diagnosis of vocal tension dysphonia—knows the music industry’s demands all too well. Yet, he’s been a steadfast supporter, advising Baylee to “be himself through and through”.
Baylee, meanwhile, acknowledges the weight of his father’s legacy. “Following in my dad’s footsteps is scary because his career, to me, is one of the most extraordinary in music history,” he told American Idol judges. “No one can ever compare”. Despite this pressure, Baylee has carved out his own lane, blending country with pop and rock influences, and earning praise for his authenticity. Fans on X have echoed this sentiment, with one user noting in April 2025, “That boy can SING,” reflecting the growing buzz around Baylee’s talent.
Their performances together, from tour stages to American Idol, highlight not just their musical synergy but also their deep familial bond. Baylee credits his voice to his dad, though he humorously admits that Brian’s dance moves didn’t pass down genetically. Brian, in turn, has called Baylee “10 times more talented than I ever was,” a testament to his belief in his son’s potential. For the Littrells, music has been a way to connect across generations, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Looking Ahead
As of April 2025, Baylee continues to compete on American Idol, with fans eagerly watching his journey unfold. His debut album 770-Country and subsequent releases, like his 2022 EP, have established him as a rising star in country music, and he’s already working on a second album. Meanwhile, Brian remains a member of the-Backstreet Boys, balancing his career with his role as a supportive father. The duo’s shared performances, like their American Idol duet, have not only showcased their talent but also reminded us of the fleeting nature of time—how a 9-year-old opening for his dad’s band can, in the blink of an eye, become a 22-year-old chasing his own dreams.
The Littrells’ story is one of love, legacy, and the power of music to bridge generations. As Baylee forges his path, Brian stands by him, a proud father cherishing every moment they share on stage. Time may fly, but for Baylee and Brian Littrell, the music—and the memories—will last forever.
