One of the most talked-about auditions of the season came from Baylee Littrell, the 23-year-old son of Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell. Brian had hinted earlier in February that his son would be appearing on *American Idol*, and fans were eager to see what Baylee would bring to the stage. “I recently tried out for *American Idol*,” Baylee had shared on social media, teasing viewers to tune in on March 9th to see what unfolded.
The announcement sparked both excitement and skepticism. Baylee has been performing for most of his life and already built a strong fan base. At just nine years old, he began touring as an opening act for his father’s band. He later landed a role in *Disaster* on Broadway, showing early on that he had a stage presence all his own.
After his Broadway stint, Baylee shifted gears and focused on a country music career. In 2019, he opened for Chris Lane and also supported the Backstreet Boys on their DNA World Tour. That same year, he released his debut country album, *770-Country*, cementing his presence in the genre.
Some critics questioned whether someone with Baylee’s background needed a show like *American Idol*, which is known for giving newcomers a platform. But many fans, including new judge Carrie Underwood, were excited to see what he could do.
As Baylee walked into the audition room, Carrie noticed something familiar about him. “There’s something about you that looks familiar,” she said before he even mentioned who his father was. The resemblance and presence clearly stirred a sense of recognition.
Before his audition aired, Brian shared his thoughts in a pre-recorded segment. “I’ve always told everyone he’s ten times more talented than I was. It’s not easy,” he said, clearly emotional and proud.
Baylee performed an original song, which impressed the judges with both its lyrics and delivery. Carrie praised his ability to connect, saying, “You’re really good. You came in emotionally ready. I think you could do really well in this competition.”
The highlight of the audition came when Brian entered the room to join his son for a brief duet. Carrie, clearly thrilled, commented, “Normally, having a superstar dad join in might steal the spotlight—but it doesn’t. You hold your own.”
All three judges were in agreement: Baylee had earned his ticket to Hollywood.
But Baylee’s story goes beyond music and famous roots. At just six years old, he was diagnosed with Kawasaki Syndrome, a rare illness in children that causes inflammation in blood vessels and, if left untreated, can lead to serious heart complications.
In 2009, Brian opened up about the experience. “We didn’t know what we were dealing with until they discovered his coronary artery was three times its normal size,” he said. Baylee had been hospitalized with a high fever, a full-body rash, and painful throat sores. Though it took two weeks to get a diagnosis, once he was treated, he recovered fully.
Baylee’s journey has been shaped by resilience, passion, and a deep-rooted love for music. And now, with his *American Idol* journey underway, the world is watching—not because of who his father is, but because of who he has become.