Baylee Littrell, The 22-Year-Old Son of Backstreet Boys Member Brian Littrell, Has Advanced To The Top 24 On Season 23 Of American Idol

On Monday, April 7, the remaining 40 contestants on American Idol faced off in intense head-to-head sing-offs. By the end of the night, only half moved forward in the competition.

Although some fan favorites were sent home, many viewers were thrilled to see the contestants they’re rooting for continue on.

One of those hopefuls is Baylee Littrell, who officially claimed his spot in the Top 24.

Baylee’s Idol journey began when he earned a Golden Ticket from the judges after performing an original song titled “Waiting on Myself to Die” during his audition.

His performance quickly caught attention, not only for his talent but also because it was revealed that his father is Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell. To top it off, his pop star dad even joined him during his audition, which had judge Carrie Underwood fangirling.

Baylee’s part in the competition has come with some critique from viewers. Many have been concerned that his connection to a famous parent might unfairly boost his popularity. However, as he moves forward, Baylee has proven that he earned his spot on the show with his solo talent.

During Hollywood Week, Baylee gave an emotional performance of a song he wrote for his grandmother, who unexpectedly passed away three years ago.

The song titled “Hey Jesus” ended up moving the judges and his fellow competitors. This really solidified his place in the competition, confirming that his singing and songwriting skills are what’s continuing his success in the competition.

Baylee Littrell Performs “Shallow” With Keilene Bultron During Head-To-Head Round

Halfway through the episode, Baylee found himself in a sing-off with contestant Keilene Bultron as they teamed up to perform the 2018 hit “Shallow.”

Judge Lionel Richie spoke first after their duet, praising both contestants for delivering a “powerful” performance.

Newcomer judge Carrie Underwood shared her thoughts on Baylee, noting that he seemed more comfortable singing with someone else than when performing solo.

As the judges deliberated, Luke Bryan mentioned that he felt Baylee was a bit timid in parts of his performance. But in the end, the judges decided to send Keilene home, allowing Baylee to move on to the Top 24. 

“Baylee, I’m your cheerleader, I believe in you, and I had to be very vocal about that,” Underwood said to him. “I will tell you something that I was told after one of my performances in Hollywood week… it was not a unanimous decision. So, moving forward, I need you to step it up.”